US actress Britany Murphy dies at age 32

Actress Brittany Murphy, star of Hollywood films such as Clueless and 8 Mile, has died at the age of 32 after collapsing at home in Los Angeles, BBC News reported.

Coroners said that Murphy, who was pronounced dead in hospital, appeared to have died of natural causes.

The Reuters news agency is reporting that the actress died of a cardiac arrest.

Ashton Kutcher, co-star of the 2003 comedy Just Married, paid tribute to her as a "little piece of sunshine".

The official cause of death may not be determined for some time as toxicology tests are required.

Murphy was pronounced dead at 1004 (1804 GMT) on Sunday at a hospital near Beverly Hills.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter confirms the death of Brittany Murphy.

She had been taken there after the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call at the Hollywood Hills home she shared with her husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack.

She is reported to have been found unconscious in the shower.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said the authorities were looking into her medical history.

"It appears to be natural," he added.

Los Angeles police have opened an investigation into the death.