When the still distraught Sharon listed the property for sale later in 2011, appraisers found considerable mildew and water leaks in the hillside home.
The family sold the doomed home and filed a lawsuit against the builders. Sharon left Hollywood and relocated to an unidentified residence in Los Angeles.
In the end, the talented young star didn’t really have a chance because of Murphy’s serious physical decline, a difficult marriage.
The soul-crushing expectations of Hollywood, and a potentially poisonous home. Neal describes the whole situation as “just so, so sad.” “Simon defrauded her and destroyed her career on his own.”
Merkin would rather recall Murphy’s “amazing singing voice” as she sang hits like “Making Whoopee” and “Put on a Happy Face” while serenading the Across the Hall movie set.
He states, “She would be attempting to lighten the crew, brightening the space around her.” She was a real cinema star with an ageless, timeless charm. And that ability was gone.
