Amanda Bynes apologizes for saying she’d like to kill her parents

Amanda Bynes apologized formally Monday regarding audio posted online over the weekend, expressing regret for more than simply what she’d been taped saying: that she’d like to kill her parents.

“I’m sorry I trusted people who clearly were not my friends and capitalized on my illness. I am doing my best to get better,� the former actress said in a statement provided to the Los Angeles Times by her lawyer, David Esquibias. “I am truly sorry for the statements I made. I am sorry for any pain I caused my family and others.

“I am thankful for everyone’s patience and understanding. I never expected others to take advantage and profit from my condition,� the statement continued. “I’m disappointed with those who lulled me into a false sense of security only to find out they really are only interested in selling my privacy to the media.�

The recordings were made in a car “a week ago,� TMZ said Saturday when it posted the audio, by a person Bynes was living with.

A person who appears to be Bynes can be heard talking about slitting her father’s throat, slitting her mother’s wrist and burning down her mom’s house.

“Nothing would give me greater pleasure� than hurting her father, she says, but adds later, “I’m not gonna ever do such a thing.�

The 28-year-old complains that her parents are in control of her cash and says that’s why she doesn’t have much money on hand.

Bynes’ finances -- the “All That� actress is reportedly worth several million dollars -- have been under a conservancy for a second time since shortly after she was hit with an involuntary psych hold in October. According to People, her parents have been working this month to transfer some control to a professional conservator who’d be able to monitor the former child star’s daily needs, including medication and doctor visits.

Bynes first defended herself Saturday afternoon via Twitter.

“By the way - i was obviously joking about hurting my family - i straight up don’t believe in harming a soul,� she said in a series of tweets. “I said what I said in jest & if you don’t understand that then know I’m in therapy to talk about my dad issues and that will solve my concerns with ppl invading my private life. when I said I want @drake to murder my vagina did anyone think I was asking him to actually murder my vagina

“i think not,� she said, “so take what I say lightly because I am the nicest girl.�

On Oct. 10, the “She’s the Man� star had accused her father of sexually and verbally abusing her, and then recanted. She was released from hospital care in early November, possibly against doctors’ advice, and has been seen hanging out in West Hollywood since then.

Though Bynes has been saying her parents haven’t given her enough money for a hotel room, sources close to the family told TMZ last week that a hotel room in Glendale, plus car service and food, had been arranged for her upon her Oct. 30 release, but that Bynes didn’t like that location.

Her parents were supposedly willing to get her a place elsewhere as long as it wasn’t in Hollywood or West Hollywood, the website said, but she chose to crash with friends instead.

Follow Christie D’Zurilla on Twitter @theCDZ and Google+. Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Twitter @LATcelebs.