Entertainment

Investigators Look for Answers Day After Houston’s Death

Investigators Look for Answers Day After Houstons Death

(AP) — Investigators worked Sunday to piece together what killed Whitney Houston as the music industry’s biggest names prepared for a Grammy Awards show that will be undoubtedly feel as much like a memorial as a celebration.

Houston’s body arrived at a Los Angeles morgue early Sunday, hours after the 48-year-old had been found dead in a hotel room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where she was preparing for a pre-Grammy gala. Officials did not say when an autopsy would occur, but any cause of death determination will likely be delayed while they await toxicology results.

Meanwhile, paramedics say they took Houston’s daughter to a Los Angeles hospital Sunday morning for unspecified medical reasons. The Beverly Hills Fire Department says Bobbi Kristina Brown was taken from the Beverly Hills Hilton around 10:30 a.m. Sunday. An email message sent to a representative of her father, singer Bobby Brown, was not immediately returned.

Sunday’s Grammys were to feature a musical tribute to Houston by Jennifer Hudson, and the show is likely to feature remembrances of Houston from fellow musicians on the red carpet and during the live telecast.

Houston herself won six Grammys and had been expected to perform at the pre-awards gala Saturday night thrown by music impresario Clive Davis, her longtime mentor.

Davis went ahead with his annual party and concert, which were held at the same hotel where Houston’s body was found – and where it remained for most of Saturday night. He dedicated the evening to her and asked for a moment of silence.

Houston had been at rehearsals for the Davis concert on Thursday, coaching singers Brandy and Monica, according to a person who was at the event but was not authorized to speak publicly about it.

The person said Houston looked disheveled, was sweating profusely and liquor and cigarettes could be smelled on her breath. It was the latest of countless stories about the decline of a uniquely gifted and beautiful woman, once the golden girl of the music industry.

A sensation from her very first album, she was one of the world’s best-selling artists from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. She awed millions with soaring, but disciplined vocals rooted in gospel and polished for the masses, a bridge between the earthy passion of her godmother, Aretha Franklin, and the light pop of her cousin, Dionne Warwick.

Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she became a rare black actress with box office appeal, starring in such hits as “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale.”

She had the perfect voice and the perfect image: gorgeous, but wholesome; lively and fun-loving. And she influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey, who when she first came out, sounded so much like Houston that many couldn’t tell the difference.

But by the end of her career, Houston had become a stunning and heartbreaking cautionary tale. Her album sales plummeted and the hits stopped coming; her once serene image was shattered by a wild demeanor and bizarre public appearances.

Investigators Look for Answers Day After Houstons DeathShe confessed to abusing cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her precious voice became raspy and hoarse, unable to hit the high notes of her prime.

“The biggest devil is me. I’m either my best friend or my worst enemy,” Houston told ABC’s Diane Sawyer in an infamous 2002 interview with then-husband Brown by her side.

Seemingly born into greatness, she first started singing at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., as a child. At the church on Sunday morning, a couple of sympathy cards were tied to a fence post. “To the greatest songstress ever,” one said, and tied next to it was a small bouquet of fresh flowers.

The pastor asked for strength for Houston’s family, said churchgoer Shawn Cooper, 32, of Newark. He said he hadn’t regularly attended church but felt compelled to go on this Sunday.

“The Houston family means a lot to this community, they have done a lot for this community, and being there for them is the best thing we can do as a community,” he said.

In her teens, Houston sang backup for Chaka Khan, Jermaine Jackson and others, in addition to modeling. Clive Davis, who as head of Arista Records had already signed up Warwick and Franklin, was instantly smitten by the statuesque young singer.

“The time that I first saw her singing in her mother’s act in a club … it was such a stunning impact,“ Davis told ”Good Morning America.”

“To hear this young girl breathe such fire into this song. I mean, it really sent the proverbial tingles up my spine,” he added.

Before long, the rest of the country would feel it, too. Houston made her album debut in 1985 with “Whitney Houston,” which sold millions and spawned hit after hit. “Saving All My Love for You” brought the singer her first Grammy, for best female pop vocal. “How Will I Know,“ ”You Give Good Love“ and ”The Greatest Love of All” also became hit singles.

Another multiplatinum album, “Whitney,“ came out in 1987 and included ”Where Do Broken Hearts Go“ and ”I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

Some saw her 1992 marriage to Brown, the former New Edition member and soul crooner, as an attempt to toughen her image. It seemed to be an odd union; she was seen as pop’s pure princess while he had a bad-boy image and already had children of his own. (The couple had one daughter, Bobbi Kristina, born in 1993.) Over the years, he would be arrested several times, on charges including DUI and failure to pay child support.

But Houston said their true personalities were not as far apart as people may have believed.

“When you love, you love. I mean, do you stop loving somebody because you have different images? You know, Bobby and I basically come from the same place,” she told Rolling Stone in 1993. “You see somebody, and you deal with their image, that’s their image. It’s part of them, it’s not the whole picture. I am not always in a sequined gown. I am nobody’s angel. I can get down and dirty. I can get raunchy.”

Brown was getting ready to perform at a New Edition reunion tour in Southaven, Miss., as news spread about Houston’s death. The group went ahead with its performance, though Brown appeared overcome with emotion when his voice cracked at the beginning of a ballad and he left the stage.

Before his departure, he told the sell-out crowd: “First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all. Second, I would like to say, I love you, Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage.”

Brown said he decided to perform because fans had shown their loyalty to the group for more than 25 years. During an intermission, one of Houston’s early hits, “You Give Good Love,” played over the speakers. Fans stood up and began singing along.

Houston once told Oprah Winfrey that she used drugs because of her rocky marriage to Brown, which included a charge of domestic abuse against Brown in 1993. They divorced in 2007.

Houston would go to rehab twice before she would declare herself drug-free to Winfrey in 2009. But in the interim, there were missed concert dates, a stop at an airport due to drugs, and public meltdowns.

Video on ambulance call for Houston’s daughter Sunday:

Comments (38)

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  • Tepeyac
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 3:20pm

    Give me a break..Abbey and Ducky on NCIS would have figured out the cause of death in 15 minutes!

    Report Post »  
  • Ron Staiger
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 7:02am

    Never cared for her and it makes no difference to me how she died. Everyone knows what the toxicology reports will show- lethal combination of Benzodiazapines, maybe some Lorazepam with a little bit of opiates, alcohol and cocaine thrown in for good measure. Just another instance of an overpaid entertainer being a drug-glutton and killing themselves in the process. Don’t really care if it was intentional or not.

    Report Post »  
  • avgconservative
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 11:39pm

    @MyzPhoenyx

    Not everyone has their demons, you dork. Some people live clean lives and avoid life’s most serious problems because they choose to.

    This “everybody has demons” krap is another liberal excuse for bad behavior… terminal behavior.

    http://FlipTheLib.com

    Report Post » avgconservative  
    • MyzPhoenyx
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 9:08pm

      Seriously? You claim perfection? You have not one single, solitary thing that you do that might be bad for you? You have never taken anyone’s feelings for granted? You’ve never turned a blind eye to someone begging for coin on the streets? You’ve never made a transgression against someone on that you love?
      I called no names, I asked that people remember that your problems don’t translate into what some might consider problems. And those things that others consider to be problems, you might be able to walk through with no assistance or support. Good for you.

      Please don’t try to sell human perfection to me. I am no liberal. But I do live in the real world where only one perfect being ever walked on the face of it. And since I don’t know you, you can’t be Him.

      Report Post » MyzPhoenyx  
  • donh2
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 10:39pm

    It was Madonna’s Superbowl half time satanic Baal ritual summoning Anput goddess of the dead. People now killing themselves left and right .

    Report Post »  
  • duke5015
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 10:21pm

    another junkie dies- what a shame- next….

    Report Post »  
  • Conservative Ken
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 10:01pm

    I am very sad Whitney Houston is gone.
    However, I’m a hypocrite. Hollywood and the Music Industry is all about creating perceptions that make money. We love the image that the money machine creates. I’m no different, I too loved Whitney Houston’s innocent image. By the late 90′s, after her drug problems surfaced, I looked upon her as trash.

    Truth is we really don’t know celebrities, we only know the perception the industry creates. Really, who are we to judge, All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Celebrities have an access to killer temptations I can’t conceive. Unlimited sex, drugs, alcohol, criminal behavior are all available without consequence. I only hope Whitney knew her Lord and is now in his Kingdom.

    Report Post »  
  • MyzPhoenyx
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 9:44pm

    We all have our demons, our skeletons that reside in our closets and our less than proud moments as we’ve walked this earth. None of us are perfect, but most of us don’t have the spotlight shining on us in any way. We don’t really know anything other than public meltdowns and as much “juicy gossip” as the media can shove down our throats.
    I’m wondering how much legal, prescription medication will be found in her system. I know of a lot of people that have gotten off of street drugs by finding a doctor that would give them a prescription. And I’ve seen those take a God-loving, God-fearing man to his knees with addiction, after a debilitating back surgery.
    If she was drinking heavily the night before ( citing TMZ ) AND ingesting those types of drugs, that is truly begging for disaster.

    I pray for her daughter. She has to be in agony right now.

    Report Post » MyzPhoenyx  
  • Apple Bite
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 9:33pm

    They really need a bunch of investigators to look into this? More than likely, it was cardiac arrest…

    Report Post » Apple Bite  
  • Seneca264
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 9:31pm

    You would have thought Mother Teresa had just died. If the Americans had two heads, they would be twice as stupid. You have to be kidding me. All of this 7/24 media coverage for a crack head. What the hell did she contribute to society?

    Report Post » Seneca264  
  • txblaze
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 9:22pm

    Let’s go out on a limb and say it was drug related. Unfortunately, that’s how she is going to be remembered to most people – a drug addict that could sing. She lived her life exactly the way she wanted to. Now there is no more time to do things differently or be serious about getting sober.

    Report Post »  
  • Slowman101
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 9:18pm

    What a shame. A needless one to quite possibly.

    Report Post »  
  • randy
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 8:52pm

    Who really gives a R@ts A$$ about this Junkie?
    I know I don’t.

    Report Post » randy  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 8:39am

      What did you expect Randy? They all acted like Michael Jackson was the greatest man who ever lived when he kicked the bucket. Whitney was an angel compared to that child molesting freak of nature.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Secret Squirrel
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 8:19pm

    .
    “Investigators Look for Answers”
    Are you kidding me?
    What planet are these investigators from?
    She was an addict; addicted by her Hip-Hop rapper husband Bobby Brown.
    It’s part of the culture, guns and drugs. Wake up America.
    Jeez, I hope we’re not paying these investigators.

    Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • The Blu Morpho
      Posted on February 12, 2012 at 10:26pm

      Like most of the racist morons on this site, it seems like you’ll use any subject as a platform for which to climb up on your hobby horse. Blacks bad. Whites good. If a black person is a scu*bag it‘s because they’re black. Jerry Sandusky butt raping kids in the shower? Well, these things happen. Never in your stupid banal empty life would it ever occur to you to say he’s child RAPIST because MOST CHILD RAPISTS ARE WHITE!!!!!

      For your information, Whitney, and may God bless her, is on record as saying that SHE ADDICTED BOBBY TO DRUGS NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. I know it doesn‘t fit with the narrative that your media is trying to craft but it’s what WHITNEY SAID!

      Report Post »  
    • Rocky_Top
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 6:36pm

      @The Blu Morpho
      So saying that most pop stars are drug addicts is racist? I know that liberals can not beleave this but , not all of us make bad choices and if we do it is not ok to just say ” Hey everyone makes bad choices so don’t blame me when I make one” People need to be held acountable, : EVERYONE !!

      I am not even racist when I say that people under 55 years old and on welfare ( gov. housing of welfare check) for more than two years should not be able to vote.

      Report Post »  
    • Rocky_Top
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 6:46pm

      Liberals make me so mad that I forgot to pay my respects. I know that drug problems are easy to fall into and hard to get out of. She was an awsome singer at one time and I am sure that she had a family that loved her. my heart goes out to them.

      Report Post »  
  • marjorie faye
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 8:01pm

    I’m very sorry for her family that she has passed on. But beyond that, why is this more important than the death of any other individual? It has been the Drudge headline for two days now. This worship of and obsession with entertainment personalities is a big part of what is wrong with our culture.

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 7:43pm

    …
    I just hope Bobby and Whitney’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown isn’t going down the same destructive path as her parents.

    Report Post »  
  • c.foster4722
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 7:20pm

    Ladys & Gentlemen please don’t be to harsh on Ms. Huston. She made a bad choyse to use drugs, and now it looks like she paid the price for what she did! So lets just remember her for what she was, a beatful women with a grand voice and a loving mother!!

    Report Post »  
    • disenlightened
      Posted on February 12, 2012 at 7:30pm

      Beatful women are cool. Okay.

      Report Post » disenlightened  
    • Bronco II
      Posted on February 12, 2012 at 7:32pm

      I agree we all have our issues and because we’re not stars and a camara in our face no one knows what we do so none of us has the right to pass judgement on to anyone.Rest in peace Whitney I will always have good fond memories of you and your beautiful songs.Much prayers to the family and her two beautiful children.

      Report Post » Bronco II  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 7:13pm

    She was an addict. Thanks Brown! He husband destroyed her.

    Report Post »  
  • notmeatglennbeckdotcom
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 7:08pm

    Well just ask Tony Bennett. She’s dead because she had to get her drugs from the underground. I bet that will be the Cause of Death on her Certificate.

    She died because she was a mess. A mess caused by an overwhelming addiction to drugs. Regardless of the source, Miss Houston couldn‘t say no and now she’s dead. Either her heart blew up or she fell asleep from a combo of drugs and alcohol.

    And now you know the rest of the story

    Report Post »  
  • disenlightened
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 7:04pm

    They should ask Rick Santorum their questions. He likes to answer everyone’s questions. And when he talks his cheeks move up and down and the tip of his nose moves side to side. It’s really cute.

    Report Post » disenlightened  
  • ddg7
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 6:54pm

    Gee, do you think someone had time to get rid of any illegal drugs before the cops were called?

    Report Post »  
  • whatthecrazy
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 6:43pm

    We all know what it likely is and it is a shame and proof that demons override any thrills money can supply,however i think i would make a fabulous rich person as i could keep it real,i think…………….

    Report Post »  
  • chips1
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 6:33pm

    They haven’t finished the investigation of Vince Foster and now they have this to add to their work load. Maybe both will lead to Hillery.

    Report Post »  
  • txwheels
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 6:19pm

    I’d say the answer to her death is a no brainer.

    Report Post »  
  • blanco5
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 6:18pm

    Freddie Mercury had the best voice and the widest range bar none!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 6:17pm

    Drugs destroy lives.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
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