UPDATE: AN autopsy will determine the cause of death of Whitney Houston, and a bathtub drowning has not been ruled out, TMZ reports.
Prescription drugs were found in the hotel room but no illegal drugs have been discovered in the Beverly Hills hotel room where Whitney Houston, 48, died,
TMZ has revealed.
The autospy will determine whether Houston overdosed, drowned or died from some other cause,
TMZ sources revealed.
"Informed sources tell us Beverly Hills cops - who were still searching the room at the time this story was posted - found various pill bottles. There was no evidence that Whitney was drinking alcohol in the room,"
TMZ wrote.
It is believed Houston's body was removed from the bathtub before emergency workers arrived at her hotel room.
Emergency services were called to the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills by a member of the pop star's entourage at 3:23pm local time and arrived two minutes later, police said.
Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful."At 3:55pm, Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel," Beverly Hills Police Department Lt. Mark Rosen told reporters at a press conference, adding that the cause of death was still being investigated.
Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behaviour and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown,
died in unknown circumstances.
The tragic singer's publicist, Kristen Foster, confirmed the news of her death.
Rosen said detectives had found "no obvious signs of criminal intent" as they investigated the scene inside the fourth floor room that Houston's body was discovered in.
Asked by reporters if drugs had been found in the room, Rosen said the investigation was "too fresh" and it was premature to speculate about the cause of death.
He said he did not know the name of the individuals who initially called 911 - other than that they were part of the singer's "entourage."
Several reports surfaced saying that Houston's ex-boyfriend, singer Ray J, had found the body. But Ray J's publicist denied the claims, saying it was Houston's bodyguard - who is also named Ray - who discovered the body, Radar Online reported.
Law enforcement sources told
TMZ later Saturday night that officers were attempting to obtain a search warrant so they could conduct a thorough search of the room where Houston was found.
Houston had been staying as a guest at the Hilton ahead of the music mogul Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party.
Meanwhile, celebrities are remembering Houston at the pre-Grammy gala - an event she had been expected to attend.
Despite the death, the event went on as planned. Stars including Dr Dre, Adam Lambert, Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian attended.
India.Arie says Houston "set the standard for what it is to be a great female artist".
Producer Jimmy Jam says her death was a "bittersweet irony" given that Davis introduced Houston to the world at the event more than two decades ago.
Jam says it "may be appropriate we're saying our first goodbyes to Whitney at a Clive Davis event".
Stunned stars were quick to post their feelings on Twitter and commemorate the pop superstar's life.
Mariah Carey tweeted: "Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney's family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth."
News of Houston's death came on the eve of music's biggest night - the Grammy Awards.
300+ comments: Leave your tributes below for the pop music queen
It is a showcase where she once reigned, and her death is sure to case a heavy pall on the ceremony.
Houston's longtime mentor Clive Davis was to hold his annual concert and dinner last night (US time); it was unclear if it was going to take place.
At her peak, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry.
From the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world's best-selling artists, wowing audiences with effortless, powerful, and peerless vocals rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.
Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she starred in hits such as
The Bodyguard and
Waiting to Exhale.
She had the perfect voice, and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer with sex appeal who was never overtly sexual, and maintained perfect poise.
Houston 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 thought it was her.
On news of her death,
Christina Aguilera tweeted: "We have lost another legend. Love and prayers to Whitney's family. She will be missed."
While
Rihanna said:" No words! Just tears #DearWhitney".
Many other stars expressed their sorrow.
Here's what they said:
La Toya Jackson: "I can't fathom the fact that #whitneyhouston has died! My heart goes out 2 her mother, daughter & her love ones. #Whitney U will be missed!"
Hip-hop mogul
Russell Simmons: "Deeply saddened by the death of Whitney Houston ... may she rest in peace."
Music producer and American Idol judge
Randy Jackson: "Wow I am devastated. the world has lost another one of the best voices in history. RIP whitney houston, so fortunate am I to have worked with u, and have u touch my life. may god bless this family."
Boy George: "Whitney is dead, OMG, I'm so heartbroken. You were amazing and I hope you have found peace! X"
Ricky Martin: "RIP Whitney Houston. Sending my love and deepest condolences to her family and friends. Fly Whitney Fly."
Kelly Osborne: "i truly hope you are in peace #WhitneyHouston i feel so honored to have known you! i love you RIP!"
Music producer
Quincy Jones: "I am absolutely heartbroken at the news of Whitney's passing. Ashford & Simpson first made me aware of Whitney when she was just sixteen, and I always regretted not having had the opportunity to work with her. She was a true original and a talent beyond compare. I will miss her terribly."
By the end of her career, Houston became a stunning cautionary tale of the toll of drug use.
Her album sales plummeted and the hits stopped coming; her once serene image was shattered by a wild demeanour and bizarre public appearances.
Houston confessed to abusing cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her once pristine voice became raspy and hoarse, unable to hit the high notes as she had during her prime.
"The biggest devil is me. I'm either my best friend or my worst enemy,'' Houston told ABC's Diane Sawyer in a 2002 interview with then-husband Brown by her side.
It was a tragic fall for a superstar who was one of the top-selling artists in pop music history, with more than 55 million records sold in the United States alone.
She seemed to be born into greatness, the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of 1960s pop diva Dionne Warwick and the goddaughter of Aretha Franklin.
Houston first started singing in the church as a child. In her teens, she sang back up for Chaka Khan, Jermaine Jackson and others, in addition to modelling.
It was about that time when music mogul Clive Davis first heard Houston perform.
"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 said.
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 her 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 hits such as
Where Do Broken Hearts Go and
I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
