Whitney Houston, the renowned singer, tragically drowned in a Beverly Hills hotel suite bathtub after experiencing a heart incident, as stated by coroner's officials who identified cocaine use as a contributing element.
Following weeks of intense speculations surrounding the death of the 48-year-old pop star, the autopsy results were disclosed on Thursday.
This incident echoes other high-profile Hollywood deaths linked to drug abuse, notably Michael Jackson's sudden passing at his Holmby Hills mansion less than three years ago, attributed to the use of a surgical anesthetic for sleep, leading to the conviction of his doctor for involuntary manslaughter.
Having struggled with drug addiction for years, Houston was found to have traces of various substances, including marijuana, Xanax, Flexeril, and Benadryl in her system.
However, the coroner's office concluded that these drugs did not contribute to her demise.
Although the exact quantity of cocaine present in her system was not disclosed, officials indicated that chronic usage was evident from the toxicology findings.
It is suggested that Houston potentially suffered a heart attack, rendering her unconscious before being submerged in the bathtub.
While no cocaine was discovered in Houston's hotel room, several medication bottles were recovered.
The autopsy revealed a pre-existing condition known as atherosclerotic heart disease, which can lead to blockages in blood flow to the heart, particularly exacerbated by the use of cocaine and narcotics.
In a 2002 interview with ABC News, Houston admitted to using cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol but vehemently denied ever using crack cocaine, emphasizing her financial status as a deterrent.
Despite previous stints in rehab, Houston's struggles with substance abuse persisted.
The influence of cocaine has been prominent in the untimely deaths of various entertainers throughout history, underscoring its lethal nature when combined with other substances.
Unlike Michael Jackson's case, no further investigations are planned in Houston's demise, with authorities awaiting the final report from the Beverly Hills police after reviewing the coroner's findings.
Found submerged in the hotel bathtub by an assistant, Houston's lifeless body was attended to by paramedics before being pronounced dead.
Her unexpected passing occurred on the eve of Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy party, casting a shadow over the subsequent Grammy Awards ceremony.
Reports of Houston's peculiar behavior in the days leading up to her death surfaced, illustrating erratic actions such as dancing off-camera during interviews and exhibiting physical exertion.
Despite her tragic end, Houston's family aims to find solace in the closure provided by the autopsy results, acknowledging the challenges she faced in her tumultuous journey.
For any inquiries or comments, please reach out to richard.winton@latimes.com and andrew.blankstein@latimes.com.
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