SCREENWRITER Simon Monjack's cause of death was nearly identical to his actress wife Brittany Murphy's, according to coroner's officials.

The 40-year-old, who was brought up in Bourne End, was found dead at his Hollywood home on May 23 - five months after his wife died in the same house.

The Los Angeles Times quotes assistant chief coroner Ed Winter as saying Mr Monjack died of acute pneumonia and severe anaemia, "just like Brittany".

Some prescription drugs were detected in his system, but not in lethal levels, Mr Winter added.

The coroner’s office briefly examined whether toxic mould played a role in the deaths of the pair, but officials say it was quickly eliminated as a potential cause.

Mr Winter said one more test will be conducted on Mr Monjack, at his family's request, before a full autopsy report is released in about two weeks.

Mr Monjack told the Bucks Free Press in March he wanted to leave LA because it was "too painful" to live with his wife's death.

Monjack and Murphy married in 2007.

Murphy was best known for her major roles in films Clueless, Girl Interrupted, and 8 Mile.

Monjack was given producer and co-writer credits on the 2001 film "Two Days, Nine Lives", which was filmed in Marlow, as well as Hollwood film Factory Girl, starring Sienna Miller.

He went to Juniper Hill Primary School in Flackwell Heath and Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe. His mother Linda Monjack, still lives in Bourne End and works as a hypnotherapist.

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