Brittany Murphy's husband Simon Monjack says his world has been “destroyed” by his wife's sudden death.

Murphy, 32, collapsed at home in Los Angeles and died in hospital on Sunday. An autopsy has so far failed to determine a cause of death.

Speaking for the first time since his wife's death, Monjack, a screenwriter, said the Clueless star had been ill in recent weeks.

“She had laryngitis. She had been tired at the end of the year,” Monjack told Access Hollywood.

He said Sunday had been a “regular day” until Murphy's mother, Sharon, discovered her daughter unconscious in their bathroom.

“Her mom screamed for me and I ran. Then called 911,” he added.

A statement released on behalf of Murphy's family on Monday described her death as a “terrible tragedy”.

Meanwhile, Murphy's former co-star's have also paid tribute to the actress, with ex-boyfriend Ashton Kutcher saying the world had “lost a little piece of sunshine”.

Monjack said he “loved” Kutcher's comments, adding “I couldn’t have said it better.”

Murpy's cause of death has been deferred pending the results of toxicology tests, which could take several weeks.

Brittany Murphy - RIP