The widow of acclaimed composer Marvin Hamlisch has filed court papers in New York raising questions about the cause of the legendary musician's death.

The Oscar and Grammy winner died on 6 August (12) after a brief illness, and coroners listed respiratory arrest, hypertension and brain damage from a lack of oxygen as the reason for the 68 year old's unexpected passing.

However, his Tv broadcaster wife, Terre Blair, believes there may have been other factors leading to his death and has asked a Manhattan Supreme Court judge to force doctors at Columbia University Medical Center to hand over the results of blood tests done shortly before Hamlisch's demise, reports the New York Post.

Representatives for Columbia University have declined to comment on the case.