Jennifer Butler was a talented costume designer, a devoted mother of four sons, and a former wife of the famous actor and comedian Bill Murray. She passed away on January 12, 2021, at the age of 57, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and courage. But what was the cause of her death? And what was her relationship with Bill Murray like? Here are some facts and insights about Jennifer Butler’s life and death.
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A Third-Generation Costume Designer
Jennifer Butler was born on October 24, 1963, in Panorama City, California, to Michael Bowe Butler and the late Judith Kelly Butler. She was a third-generation costume designer who followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, Travis Banton, and her mother, Judith. Travis Banton was a renowned Hollywood designer who worked with stars like Marlene Dietrich, Mae West, and Carole Lombard. Judith Butler was also a successful designer who worked on films like Mutiny on the Bounty, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, and The Last of the Mohicans.
Jennifer inherited her family’s passion and talent for costume design and started her career in the early 1980s. She worked on films like Firestarter, The Last of the Mohicans, Groundhog Day, Larger Than Life, and Wild Things. She also designed costumes for TV shows like The Wonder Years, The Nanny, and The Drew Carey Show. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her work on The Wonder Years in 1989.
Jennifer had a unique style and flair for creating costumes that suited the characters and the mood of the story. She was also known for her love of Levi’s overalls, which she collected and wore frequently. She once said that she owned over 200 pairs of overalls and that they were her “uniform”.
A Turbulent Marriage with Bill Murray
Jennifer Butler met Bill Murray in 1988 on the set of Scrooged, where she was working as an assistant costume designer. They started dating soon after and had their first son, Caleb James Murray, on January 11, 1993. They got married on July 4, 1997, in Charleston, South Carolina, and had three more sons: Jackson William Murray (born on October 6, 1995), Cooper Jones Murray (born on January 27, 1997), and Lincoln Darius Murray (born on May 30, 2001).
However, their marriage was not a happy one. Jennifer accused Bill of being abusive, violent, unfaithful, and addicted to alcohol and drugs. She claimed that he would often leave home for long periods of time without telling her where he was going or when he would return. She also alleged that he would verbally and physically assault her in front of their children and threaten to kill her.
Jennifer filed for divorce against Bill on May 12, 2008, citing “adultery, addiction to marijuana and alcohol, abusive behavior, physical abuse, sexual addictions and frequent abandonment” as the grounds for divorce. She also requested a restraining order against him and sole custody of their four sons. The divorce was finalized on June 13, 2008.
A Mysterious Death
Jennifer Butler passed away on January 12, 2021, at her home in Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. Her cause of death was never revealed to the public. Her family described her as a “proud squeaky wheel who fought the system and flaunted her nonconformity”. They also said that she was a “fiercely loyal mother” who loved her sons more than anything.
Jennifer’s death came as a shock to many people who knew her or admired her work. Her fans and friends expressed their condolences and tributes on social media. Bill Murray did not comment publicly on his ex-wife’s death.
Jennifer Butler’s cause of death remains a mystery to this day. Some speculate that she may have died from natural causes or an illness that she kept private. Others wonder if she may have taken her own life or been involved in foul play. Whatever the case may be, Jennifer Butler’s life and death are shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
