A hearse appearing to contain the body of pop icon Whitney Houston arrived in Newark, New Jersey late Monday night.
The gold-colored hearse with dark tinted windows dropped off the casket at Whigham Funeral Home in a tent which concealed the procedure from fans and photographers who descended on the scene, Newark Patch reports.
Houston's mother Cissy and other family members were seen entering the funeral home about 15 minutes before the hearse arrived at the venue.
The AP had previously reported that Houston's invitation-only funeral would be held Saturday in the first in the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where Houston first performed as a child.
The funeral home denied previous reports that indicated a wake might be held at Newark's 18,000 capacity Prudential Center.
Houston, who died last Saturday at the age of 48, was born in Newark and grew up in East Orange. On Monday, officials from the L.A. County Coroner's office confirmed that prescription medications were found in the Beverly Hilton hotel room where she died, but maintained there was not an excessive amount of drugs on the scene.
The late singer was in Beverly Hills for producer Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy party, held at the Beverly Hilton, Saturday night. In the days leading up to her death, Houston made several public appearances and was said to have been acting strangely; she was spotted skipping around a ballroom and doing handstands near the hotel pool, the the Los Angeles Times reported.
TMZ reported that Houston's family was told by L.A. County Coroner officials that the singer did not die from drowning, as previously speculated, but from a combination of prescription drugs and alcohol.
An autopsy of the icon's body was completed, but results were placed on lockdown pending further investigation. Police found no obvious signs of trauma on Houston's body and the death is not being investigated as a homicide.
Bobby Brown, Houston's ex-husband released a statement shortly after he and Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina was transported to the hospital. "At this time, we ask for privacy, especially for my daughter, Bobbi Kristina," Brown wrote. "I appreciate all of the condolences that have been directed toward my family and I at this most difficult time." Bobbi Kristina was later released, and sources close to the family said she was treated for anxiety.
Brown performed as part of New Edition on the day Houston passed away, but was overcome with emotion once he took the stage.
Singer Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to Houston on stage at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on February 12, singing a cover of "I Will Always Love You."
Photos of memorials of Whitney Houston:
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A hearse appearing to contain the body of pop icon Whitney Houston arrived in Newark, New Jersey late Monday night.
The gold-colored hearse with dark tinted windows dropped off the casket at Whigh...
A hearse appearing to contain the body of pop icon Whitney Houston arrived in Newark, New Jersey late Monday night.
The gold-colored hearse with dark tinted windows dropped off the casket at Whigh...
It is always sad for any individual to die young and especially so if they are a celebrity. But good always come out of a tragedy and hopefully this will be a lesson to all young peope famous or not what drugs and alcohol can due to your body and in excessive amounts is fatal. God gave her a beatiful gift but she choose the lifestyle that ultimately caused her death. Everyone is talking about this or that whitney story but the truth is she was a drug addict, abuse her body and talent, and everyone is acting like Mother Theresa has died again. We should pause and pray for the family and whitney but please dont act like she was some parigam of virtue because she was not and that is the simple truth and her daughter will have to come out of denial once she has mourned her mother and faced the truth. i believe that is the only way bobbi kristina will not follow her mother's lifestyle. plus, she is old enough to know whether she wants to see her father. as far as i know, bobby was a loving and caring father. i think booby took the heat for a lot of whitney erratic behavior over the years. what star which such a beautiful voice stop singing, touring from 2002 to 2009 if something was not wrong? if you want to honor whitney, enjoy her music but dont follow her lifestyle..
nila_granberry: It is always sad for any individual to die young
Truthfully, there are many of us who are spiritual (not necessarily religious although I do attend church) who seek God in life because that is where we feel whole and accepted. My heart tells me that we all need it whether church-going or not because human beings are fallible and He is totally forgiving and merciful and understands US (His creation) completely. Maybe when things that we cannot understand happen, they are God's way of telling us to look up, instead of walking away....Blessings to all the seekers...
holyghost1: Truthfully, there are many of us who are spiritual (not
I am so grateful for the life of Ms. Whitney Houston!!! While not perfect, she did the best she knew to do with her gift and contributed much to the music industry. I think it would be a mistake, as well as send the wrong message to her daughter to not allow Bobbie Brown to attend the funeral. No matter what are opinion - she chose him, loved him and created a child with him. It would be a slap in the face to the love they had and send the message that he is somehow responsible for her death. To Miss Bobbi Kristina - you have your choices to make. You can either be the strong black woman that I know you are, or you can believe the hype that you will follow in the path of your parent(s). I'm speaking from experience - there are things that are supposedly hereditary/learned that cannot be overcome. Hogwash! Lace up those bootstraps and stand strong younglady. Surround yourself with those who truly love you. Live in the peace, joy, warmth and loving memory of your mother. Peace and blessings to you and your family.
toplove: I am so grateful for the life of Ms. Whitney
I'm really amazed that her "friends" appeared so quickly on Dr. Drew, Anderson Cooper, Piers Morgan to talk about what they knew about their "friend" Whitney Houston -- especially, since the conversations rallied around drugs. Really, those are her friends ready to discuss such personal opinions that will color her legacy? And that Dr Drew, Anderson Cooper, Piers Morgan, et al would lend such coverage? The jury is still out. Shame on the friends & Shame, Shame, Shame on Dr. Drew & Anderson Cooper (I'd expect so much from Piers Morgan...).
Slick50: I'm really amazed that her "friends" appeared so quickly on
I love sweets. I know what they will do to my body, and that I won't like the results. I can stay away from sugar until I get stressed out. Then I find myself giving in and disappointed that I didn't resist.
This in no way compares equally to drugs, which I have never done, but if I cannot stop my draw to sugar, I cannot imagine someone trying to stop a real addictive drug known to destroy any self-control and reasoning.
GirlInNYC: I love sweets. I know what they will do to
The family should BAN all of Whitney's so-called friends, including Mr.Clive from the funeral.
They were with her in LA all week partying; they stood by and watched her drunken manic behavior and did NOTHING. Her poor young daughter was solely in charge of her care. WHY??
This is outrageous !
G_Goo: The family should BAN all of Whitney's so-called friends, including
Im surprised the family is letting Clive come. He had a party going on while her dead body was upstairs in her hotel room. He is one cold, callous son of a b****. Why is going to be there???????????
amd02148: Im surprised the family is letting Clive come. He had
I wasn't a Whitney Houston fan. I like rock music, and her pop and ballads didn't appeal to me. Just not my thing. That said, I'm disgusted by the people who are saying such awful things about her. Addiction is a horrible thing, but the people who succumb to it are no less human than anyone else. Bashing someone for a disease, and addiction is just that, is about as low as one can go. Yes, the famous are often given consideration that others are not, but fame can do terrible things to a person, including destroy them.
To those who feel the need to say ugly things about her: this is someone's daughter, someone's mother, someone's friend. Her music brought happiness to a lot of people. Does it make you feel better about yourselves to be snarky over how she met her end? I hope that when your time comes, people are kinder to you than you have been to her.
Tanya_OaksBrooks: I wasn't a Whitney Houston fan. I like rock music,
It is sad that she died, but its more tragic that she abused and lost her gift due to drugs. And whether or not drugs played a role on her death is irrelevant.
But if I have to hear one more artist sing "I will always love you" I am going to peckon scream. Enough already!! Let the song RIP
Lad123: It is sad that she died, but its more tragic
Obviously, you are an empty vessel, devoid of compassion or feelings for another human being. Who are you to be so self righteous, sanctimonious and pious to stand in judgement of another human being? I see you have appointed yourself God? You for one do not know this woman or what she has done in her life other than entertaining others like so many do in that field. I hope in the world where you reside, that you never have to work with, or deal with anyone who abused drugs! Your comment was mean and hateful! Everyone in this world has sown seeds even you, and I pray that whomever judges you, remembers the very same words that you uttered on this board about Whitney Houston when it is time for you to reap the seeds that you have sown!!
beverly149: Obviously, you are an empty vessel, devoid of compassion or
CNN reports that WH's ex may not be invited to attend the funeral. I don't blame him entirely, but I don't recall her having issues with any kinds of addiction prior to his arrival into her life.
VegasBabe: CNN reports that WH's ex may not be invited to
VegasBabe, we don't know what went on in their house, who bought what, or who smoked whatever. But the fact remains he beat her so bad she had to call the police several times. For that reason alone if I was her mother I wouldn't want him there.
amd02148: VegasBabe, we don't know what went on in their house,
It is Deep Regret and Sorrow that our Sister Whitney Houston passed away. Knowing Whitney, and watching her grow as one of the worlds premire entertaniners, andmyself being a former resident of Newark, New Jersey, and presently residing in Charlotte, North Carolina, we send our sincere, and heart felt condolences to the Houston, Warwick, extended family, and relatives. May the Peace and Glory Rest Upon Her Soul, and God Continue To Bless Whitney.
The Hunter Family!
GT24: It is Deep Regret and Sorrow that our Sister Whitney
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First Posted: 02/14/2012 10:04 am Updated: 02/14/2012 12:28 pm