Whitney Houston dies at 48
At just 48 years of age, legendary pop-singer Whitney Houston died of accidental drowning, caused by drug use and ongoing heart problems.
Houston was found in her bathtub in a Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel room just hours before she was set to attend a pre-Grammy Awards party in the same hotel.
Several weeks after her death, the official report was issued by a Los Angeles coroner. The causes were determined to be continual cocaine use and heart disease.
A toxicology report showed other drugs, including marijuana, anti-anxiety medication, a muscle relaxant, and an anti-histamine were all found in Houston's system at the time of her death.
Her decline into drug and alcohol abuse had been an ongoing battle for Houston, which started with her tumultuous 14-year marriage to Bobby Brown. Houston had been checked in and out of rehab centres numerous times in her life.
Following the pop diva's sudden death, Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina, had to be rushed to the hospital twice due to breakdowns.
Houston's highly anticipated comeback tour in 2009 had plenty of setbacks and fans were disappointed that the musical icon seemed to have lost her great singing ability. Nevertheless her death was mourned by hundreds of thousands of her fans, friends and family.
In an emotional tribute at the Grammys, award winning singer Jennifer Hudson sang Houston's iconic song I Will Always Love You.
