Authorities said Monday it appeared actress Brittany Murphy died of natural causes after becoming ill with flulike symptoms in the days before she collapsed in the bathroom of her Hollywood Hills home. Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said an autopsy had been conducted and officials were awaiting the results of toxicology and tissue testing before determining an official cause of death. They also interviewed Murphy's personal physician and examined prescription drugs taken from her home. The autopsy found no signs of trauma to her body. Police did not suspect foul play. Winter said Murphy's family reported she had been ill and that could have contributed to her death. __
