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Whitney Houston Death Investigation To Begin

Danny Lee |
February 12, 2012 | 9:12 a.m. PST

Executive Producer

Whitney Houston (Creative Commons)
Whitney Houston (Creative Commons)
The Los Angeles County coroner’s office said Sunday that it now has possession of Whitney Houston’s body and that an autopsy is expected within the next 24 hours, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Houston was found dead in a Beverly Hilton hotel room on Saturday just hours before she was slated to attend a pre-Grammys gala. Authorities said they do not suspect foul play to be the cause of the R&B legend’s death, according to the L.A. Times.

"At this time, there's no obvious evidence of foul play or cause of death,” Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen told People magazine.

The coroner’s office and Beverly Hills Police Department will be conducting an investigation into her death, the Times reported. It could take weeks before an official cause-of-death ruling is made.

Those close to the singer recalled her being “happy” just days before her body was found in the hotel room, the Associated Press reported.

Houston had appeared at rehearsals, offering advice to singers Monica and Brandy. Last Thursday, the 48-year-old singer had been spotted at a Hollywood club on stage with fellow singer Kelly Price, where she sang the hymn “Yes, Jesus Loves Me” to an adoring crowd, according to the AP.

“Whitney on Thursday night was one of the girls,” Price said. “She was happy. She was the Whitney I always knew.”

Houston’s ex-husband Bobby Brown was visibly shaken over the news during a Saturday night New Edition concert in Southaven, Miss., according to CNN.

One CNN iReporter captured video of Brown at the concert, in which he was heard saying, “I want you all to do me a favor, just say a prayer for my daughter. Say a prayer for my mother, and if you find the time, can you say a prayer for me, because I’m going to need it.”

Houston was known for No. 1 hits such as “Saving All My Love for You” and “I Will Always Love You,” among others. She also starred in films like “Waiting to Exhale” and “The Bodyguard.”

 

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