BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Whitney Houston was underwater and apparently unconscious when she was pulled from a Beverly Hills hotel bathtub, and she had prescription drugs in her room, authorities said Monday.
Two days after her death, Houston's body was taken to a small, Los Angeles-area airport to be flown to New Jersey, where her family was making arrangements for a funeral at the end of the week.
An autopsy was done Sunday, and authorities said there were no indications of foul play and no obvious signs of trauma on Houston's body. It could be weeks, however, before the coroner's office completes toxicology tests to establish her cause of death.
The 48-year-old singer had struggled for years with cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her behavior had become erratic.
Houston was found Saturday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel by a member of her staff about 3:30 p.m., just hours before she was supposed to appear at a pre-Grammy Awards gala, police Lt. Mark Rosen said.
She was pulled from the tub by members of her staff, and hotel security was promptly notified, Rosen said. She was pronounced dead about a half-hour later.
"As of right now, it's not a criminal investigation," Rosen said, refusing to release further details. "We have concluded our portion of the investigation at the hotel."
Los Angeles County coroner's assistant chief Ed Winter said there were bottles of prescription medicine in the room. He would not give details except to say: "There weren't a lot of prescription bottles. You probably have just as many prescription bottles in your medicine cabinet."
The coroner's office released the body to the family Monday morning. Later, a police convoy accompanied two vehicles into a Van Nuys Airport hangar, and a private, twin-engine jet rolled out of the hangar and took off shortly after 3 p.m. PST.
Two people who spoke with Houston's family said the singer would be taken to New Jersey.
The two, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak for the family, said Houston's relatives raised the possibility of a wake Thursday and a funeral Friday at Newark's Prudential Center, an arena that can seat about 18,000 people.
Houston was born in Newark and raised in nearby East Orange. She began singing as a child at Newark's New Hope Baptist Church, where her mother, Grammy-winning gospel singer Cissy Houston, led the music program for many years.
The White House said President Barack Obama's thoughts and prayers were with Houston's family, especially her daughter. Press secretary Jay Carney paid tribute to the singer's "immense talent" and called it a tragedy to lose somebody so gifted at such a young age.
Houston's death is a sad rewind of what befell Michael Jackson and Amy Winehouse. It took three months for a London coroner to rule that Winehouse drank herself to death last July. A powerful anesthetic was quickly linked to Jackson's June 2009 death. Three months ago, Jackson's doctor was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Houston's death tinged the Grammy ceremonies with sadness. It also probably boosted viewership, which was 50 percent higher than last year, with nearly 40 million viewers tuning in to the program on CBS.
A sensation from her first album, Houston was one of the world's best-selling artists from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, turning out such hits as "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," "How Will I Know," "The Greatest Love of All" and "I Will Always Love You." But as she struggled with drugs, her majestic voice became raspy, and she couldn't hit the high notes.
Mourners left flowers, balloons and candles at the wrought-iron fence around the tall brick Newark church where she got her start. It sits near an abandoned housing project and the train line leading to New York City.
"She was an inspiration to everybody," said Gregory Hanks, an actor who grew up in the neighborhood and who dropped off a bouquet. He saw Houston perform in New Jersey years ago.
"I grew up listening to her as a little boy, and to hear her sing, you knew she was special," he said.
___
Associated Press writers Chris Hawley in New York and Beth DeFalco and Dave Porter in Newark, N.J., contributed to this story.
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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Whitney Houston was underwater and apparently unconscious when she was pulled from a Beverly Hills hotel bathtub, and she had prescription drugs in her room, authorities ...
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Whitney Houston was underwater and apparently unconscious when she was pulled from a Beverly Hills hotel bathtub, and she had prescription drugs in her room, authorities ...
UPDATE: An official from the L.A. County Coroner's office confirmed that some prescription medications were found in the hotel room where Whitney Houston died, but...
The death of Whitney Houston is on the news several times a day. She had one of the greatest voices in history.
Listed below are Marines that gave their lives last month. There is no media for them;
not even a mention of their names.
Justin Allen 23
Brett Linley 29
Matthew Weikert 29
Justus Bartett 27
Dave Santos 21
Jesse Reed 26
Matthew Johnson 21
Zachary Fisher 24
Brandon King 23
Christopher Goeke 23
and Sheldon Tate 27
Duane_Massey: The death of Whitney Houston is on the news several
Alcohol may be legal but it doesn't mean you can mix it with prescriptions or illegal drugs. The media keeps focusing on the pills, but her problems with Alcohol had already done so much damage to her organs that there was no way her kidneys or liver could handle even OTC meds.
rowdiman: Alcohol may be legal but it doesn't mean you can
Or there is another explanation:
I think Ray J was with her, when she died in the room. Why else would her aunt leave the room for 30 minutes? He was there drinking heineken and eating his hamburger. Why would whitney houston eat a dang hamburger. It belonged to a younger person. I think ray J gave her something and it reacted with her champagne drink quickly and killed her. Ray J is a shady guy.
Some other sources point to Whitney Houston having a possible abortion days, before she died. Remember the blood running down her leg and the wet dress on Thursday.
lady_leslie: Or there is another explanation: I think Ray J was
NJ Governor's proclaimation to lower flags in the state on Saturday for Whitney Houston. Tragic loss of life, but do you think NJ should fly flags at half-mast on Saturday?
trixie1212: NJ Governor's proclaimation to lower flags in the state on
Its good for votes although it does sort of embrace drug abuse,,,,,,,They did the same for Frank Sinatra but his death wasn't so sensational and likely a suicide.
IndependentRule: Its good for votes although it does sort of embrace
They should fly the flag Higher for Whitney: They should have lowered the flag to half mast, and kept it there during the tenancy of Christ Christy as governor: Can't wait for his Eulogy and hope the same folks critical of the perils of drug and alcohol use, will bring their same brutal honesty to bear when OBESITY is confirmed as exacerbating and contributing to his eventual demise............
Brant_Kelsey: They should fly the flag Higher for Whitney: They should
Yes. She gave the gift of music to so many people all over the world and inspired some of the greatest vocalists we enjoy today. She had demons but God blessed us with her angelic voice and drew out emotions from so many fans; she truly added a lot to our world. RIP
rowdiman: Yes. She gave the gift of music to so many
Whitney Huston was a great talent. And it's sad that she died and tragic it was most likely by accident. That's what happens when people mess with drugs without knowing how it all works. Unfortunately some people don't care and don't listen. Because they're nuts. Nutty people don't have any input for real info. Because their psychosis has cut them off from the world outside their brain.
Whitney Huston was Crazy. Her mind was gone a long, long time ago. It was gone when she told Dianne Sawyer that Crack was Whack and too cheap for her to indulge in.
If you keep placating someone for whatever reason, they become unreasonable. If you met Whitney without knowing who she was, you would avoid her, because one look tells you that she's gone and anything will set her off. She'd start with,"Don't you know who I am?" And we're off!
dspcowb: Whitney Huston was a great talent. And it's sad that
Sometimes Society just has to Wait. Why does the public get to know what happened so fast? I really think that Whitney's memory will be judged by the legacy of her beautiful voice. I can't help but believe that this merely a tactic that prolongs this tragedy of her death with a profit motive in mind. I know this is how we do things but when do we stop pulling the flesh of open wounds. This investigation is over. There is no one to blame. The family will be fine as IS Whitney. PDH
Pamela_D_Hayes: Sometimes Society just has to Wait. Why does the public
What do you mean no one to blame? this lady died form an overdose of legal drugs. yes legal drugs. the ones the FDA it's ok with it. and also alcohol, also approved and control by the Goverment. big money in this business. alcohol and legal drugs. the coroner said it RX drugs. so how can you said no one to blame.
cbstinc: What do you mean no one to blame? this lady
The toxicology report is not back yet. She had prescription drugs in her room but do know if that killed her as of yet. But it was reported she was drinking alcohol and the prescription drugs she was taking is deadly with alcohol but she is responsible for that cause it has on the bottles not to drink and etc if you take that drug. Pharmacy always when filling prescriptions label bottles of dangers. Even so if your are a recovering addict you should not drink alcohol or even have any of those drugs in your possession. And as Dr. Drew said recovering addicts cannot go to parties and she should not have even been there.
As for certain drugs approved by the FDA, these drugs are needed for certain illness and problems people have but they are not responsible if we choose to abuse that drug.
Austin_V: The toxicology report is not back yet. She had prescription
I agree. Tox screens really do take up to 6 weeks. I know when my dad died in a car accident we had to wait nearly two months to get the tox report back. It takes that long to isolate the medication. It's not so easy as a 12 panel u/a. There's no expediting it reagardless of what the crime shows tell people.
trying_this_again: I agree. Tox screens really do take up to 6
I believe she may have taken too much too soon. Being stressed out, perhaps she didn't even remember the last time she took "what", and then she just took too much...that, coupled with maybe a drink that she thought "wouldn't hurt". She got into a warm tub of water that simply rendered her body numb...with all this going on, maybe her heart just gave out, or maybe the volatile mixture of drugs just kicked in. My heart goes out to her daughter. Losing a parent so young is devastating, even under the best of circumstances.
Munemayden: I believe she may have taken too much too soon.
Whitney Houston was an amazing singer with an equally amazing voice. She had incredible talent, beauty, fortune and many of the things most people will never achieve in a lifetime. However, the reality of the situation is that, for whatever reason, she ble/w it all with drugs and alcohol and that is why she is dead now. Simple as that.
Fame is a fickle friend and it can get to your head sometimes and make you untouchable but also give you a bloated sense of importance and maybe even immortality. I dont know her specified circumstances because I wasnt in her life, but I think that when someone reaches those incredible heights and has everything they need, drugs - that sort of catapult your mind into a different perception - become it. Charlie Sheen once said "what do you do when you reached a point where you bought everything you want? Similarly, when you reach those nauseating highs you get to the point where you ask yourself: what can I do that I havent done? What else is there to live for? Maybe Houston, just like Elvis, reached those highs and she had it all and there was nothing to look forward to so she drugged her mind until it got the better of her.
lilipilicious: Whitney Houston was an amazing singer with an equally amazing
I saw an interview the other evening, with an EMI record producer, who worked with Whitney, and as well works with other artists who are on the road to Fame: He said that in the early stages of their development he attempts to tell them, instill within them, the toxicity this status will introduce: to yourself, and to those with who you surround yourself:
He sits the young artist down, and he video's this conversation: And when the young artist asks why: He tells them; "Because in two years I will not be able to have this conversation with you."
Brant_Kelsey: I saw an interview the other evening, with an EMI
Let He/She without Sin cast the first Stone...................and the thread grew eerily quiet..........Rest in Peace Whitney...........like many of us, perhaps, another of many fallen Angels. Love.
Brant_Kelsey: Let He/She without Sin cast the first Stone...................and the thread
She sang, she loved, she hurt, she inspired and gave more than she has taken: And has left a story with many chapters..............but surely a story continuing to be written and reborn with every sweet pure inspired note.
Brant_Kelsey: She sang, she loved, she hurt, she inspired and gave
I think her point was that an investigation is a waste of time and resources. LAPD cases are backed up enough as it stands - there's no point confirming what we already know.
That being said, she had a great voice.
karlhungus08: I think her point was that an investigation is a
Ok, I'll slow down my reasoning for you, since you're obviously having trouble.
The title of the article is "Whitney Houston's Cause of Death Still a Question for Investigators". Sakismomiam was pointing out that there is no real question as to what happened - obviously Whitney Houston died of an overdose. I then added the additional points that the LAPD is backed up with casework, so an exhaustive investigation to discover what we already know seems idiotic. And yes, Mr. Kelsey, we already know what happened. This is the lady who told Diane Sawyer that "Crack is whack."
I'm fully aware, however, that in all cases like this, some kind of investigation has to take place. But if you honestly believe that Whitney's death is going to get the same amount of police resources as Joe Schmoe's, you're hopelessly naive. The media and celebrity worshippers simply will not allow that to happen.
karlhungus08: Ok, I'll slow down my reasoning for you, since you're
Absolutely: Yet Karlhungus has managed to divine some quasi redemptive intent: How, and with what matter of mental machinations I'll never quite apprehend: Seems to be straightforward: Seems to be pretty damn callous. You're observation in in keeping with the obvious intent: And Karlhungus feels exactly the same way, but doesn't have the heart to say it: It might prompt addressing what is lacking at his core.
Brant_Kelsey: Absolutely: Yet Karlhungus has managed to divine some quasi redemptive
I strongly believe that the devil send people into your life to create mayhem and destroy you. That was what happened to Whiney Houston when bad boy Bobby Brown entered her life. Whitney's life took a turn for the worst with all the drama that Bobby Brown brought into her life that encompassed, getting her hooked on drugs, his drug abuse problem, DUIs, child support drama, domestic abuse (Whitney even said that Bobby Brown spit in her face) and Bobby Brown being in the DeKalb county jail almost every Monday morning.
I live in Atlanta GA and I had to hang my head in shame when I saw the ugly a$s drugged out Bobby Brown being hand cuffed and hauled off to jail and he was Whitney's husband. My friends and I could not fathom why Whitney did not leave him and divorce him along time ago. I guess she became dependent on Bobby for the drugs, because the drugs that he got her hooked on was controlling her mind and her will. God have mercy! What a waste. May Whitney soul rest in peace. How ironic that the drug pusher is never the one who ended up dead. My prayers go out to the Houston family at this time.
joyce628: I strongly believe that the devil send people into your
I agree her mother said to her that she will not let satan take her away and that she needed to get herself cleaned up...The mother knew that Bobby was destroying her and needed to get him away from her. Remember during the interview also she said Bobby would paint evil eyes all over the walls and cut the heads off pictures of her..This is a clear sign of trama bassed mind control which she had been under with Bobby. He was her handler and ruined her and Cissy Houston knew all to well what he did to her daughter.
edwardandersons: I agree her mother said to her that she will
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ANTHONY McCARTNEY 02/13/12 09:42 PM ET Associated Press