Linda and Simon Monjack
NPG Media; Wireimage
In the wake of claims by Murphy's former business manager Jeffrey Morgenroth that Simon drained Brittany's bank account and left her mother Sharon in a state of financial uncertainty, Linda is fighting back.
"I think there were financial problems [before their deaths]," Linda said from her home in England. "They were certainly acting like there were problems. Sharon was asking friends for money and I don't know why."
But Morgenroth, who served as Brittany's business manager for three years prior to her death, says he regularly saw her financial statements. "There was money being withdrawn by Simon, hundreds of thousands," says Morgenroth. "Even the pension plan, that was really a nice dollar amount until [Simon drained it]."
Linda counters that excessive spending is to blame for the current money woes facing Sharon.
Disagreement Over Deaths
The two families are also at odds over what killed Brittany and Simon. A coroner's report ruled that Brittany's death was the result of anemia, pneumonia and multiple-drug toxicity; Simon's death was attributed to anemia and pneumonia.Linda claims she saw "black mold" in the couple’s bedroom. Sharon has called rumors that toxic mold may have contributed to their deaths "absurd," telling PEOPLE, "I have never been personally asked by the coroner or anyone from the Health Department to come and inspect my home for mold."
The Los Angeles County coroner's office investigated the mold claim but dismissed it as a factor. "There were no indicators that either death was related to mold," Ed Winter, the coroner's assistant chief, said Monday.
For her part, says Linda, "I just want to grieve my son in peace. I adored Simon and he was a part of me, a part of me that is now gone. Whatever the truth is, so be it. I just want peace."
• Reporting by SARA HAMMEL and MONIQUE JESSEN
See what other readers have to say about this story – or leave a comment of your own
