Whitney Houston Dead At 48
Feb. 11 2012, Published 8:14 a.m. ET
UPDATE: Ray J's publicist is saying that Whitney's bodyguard, whose name is also Ray, is the person that found Whitney dead.
UPDATE: The Beverly Hills Police department say that at 3:43pm a 911 call was placed from the Beverly Hilton. They were on the scene in two minutes and when they got to her room on the 4th floor there were already hotel staff attempting CPR on Houston. At 3:55pm she was pronounced dead. As of 6:10pm PST, Whitney's body was still in the room.
UPDATE: CNN spoke to Johnny Gill who is in Memphis with Bobby Brown for a New Edition concert. He told them: "Bobby is struggling and devastated" at hearing Whitney has died. He has apparently spoken to their daughter Bobbi Kristina who is in Los Angeles and "Not doing well" Brown said.
UPDATE: There are conflicting reports emerging, with some saying Ray J found Houston's body at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, however, Ray J's publicist has insisted his client was "no where near" the scene.
Whitney Houston has died aged 48.
The singer’s rep confirmed the shocking news to the Associated Press Saturday.
She leaves behind her only child, Bobbi Kristina who she had during her marriage to singer Bobby Brown.
PHOTO: Crime Lab Van At The Beverly Hilton Hotel
Whitney was best known for her chart topping single I Will Always Love You and won six Grammy Awards, 22 American Music Awards and countless other accolades.
She was seen out partying earlier this week and looked worse for wear and had a history of drug abuse.
Cause of death is not yet known.
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, the bulk of Houston’s millions had seriously dwindled in recent years, according to a source close to the singer.
“Whitney’s fortune is gone,” the source said. “Music industry heavy hitters are supporting her and her label is fronting her cash against her next album, but no one knows when that will be released.”
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The troubled singer entered rehab last year to treat her crack cocaine addiction, and a source close to Bobby Brown said at the time that he was so worried about his ex-wife that he feared "she might not pull through."
"Whitney is doing crack again," the source said. "It's the worst it's ever been. Whitney went on tour again, and that's when the relapse occurred."
Brown also told friends that Houston had increasingly isolated herself. "Whitney's shutting a lot of people out of her life," the source said. "It is a dire situation."
Bobby and Whitney were married for 14 years and were officially divorced in 2007. Both have a history of substance abuse. Their 18-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina, was caught on camera last year allegedly snorting lines of cocaine.
"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.
The Recording Academy released a statement Saturday evening: "Six-time GRAMMY(r) winner Whitney Houston was one of the world's greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades. Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs. A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice."