Brittany Murphy fans turn to social networking sites to mourn

(CNN) -- Fans of the late actress Brittany Murphy took to social networking Web sites over the weekend to express their anguish over her untimely death.

The topic "RIP Brittany Murphy" began trending on Twitter on Sunday evening, as millions included the phrase in their Twitter postings. Most fans simply wanted to share their feelings about Murphy, 32, and talk about their favorite movie roles.

"You brought your big smile to the screen and made us smile with you :) clueless," Twitter user VazzaBlax posted.

"R.I.P Brittany Murphy my condolences go out to her family n friends she was an angel on earth n will be in heaven such a beautiful soul," valuevirtue tweeted. "Her role in uptown girls is what inspired me to start writing an autobio. A sad loss for the earth, and so young," posted _lara_mk.

One Facebook page, "RIP Brittany Murphy," had 2,000 members as of Monday morning with fans posting their shock about the "Clueless" actress' death on the page's wall.

Similar online mass mournings occurred this year after the deaths of Patrick Swayze, Michael Jackson, Natasha Richardson and Farrah Fawcett.

"When fans grieve, it's better for them to see that there are others who feel as they do. It gives comfort," said psychologist Cooper Lawrence. "For all the criticism social networking sites suffer, here is where they shine, especially for those who have social phobias, aren't good at expressing themselves in person or who are grieving."