Whitney Houston’s Death Caused by Accidental Drowning
Whitney Houston drowned, with cocaine fresh in her system, following a possible heart attack, according to her newly-released initial autopsy report.
The Los Angeles County Coroner's Chief of Operations, Craig Harvey, stated that Houston appeared to have used cocaine "in the time period just immediately prior to her collapse in the bathtub at the hotel," though no traces of the drug were found in her room.
TMZ is claiming her supplier removed the evidence before authorities arrived.
Harvey added that the results of toxicology testing indicated Houston was a chronic cocaine user, and also that the Pope was Catholic. Or, anyway, one of those things.
Atherosclerotic heart disease, which can lead to blockages of blood flow to the heart, was listed as a contributing factor to the 48 -year-old's death.
Tests also revealed the presence of marijuana, Xanax, Benadryl, and a muscle relaxant called Flexerill in Houston's system, though this cocktail of drugs was not believed to have contributed directly to her demise.
Prior to the release of the initial autopsy report, Houston's manager and sister-in-law Patricia Houston claimed she was doubtful Whitney's death was drug-related. She told Oprah Winfrey earlier this month:
"I don't think drugs [were] an issue for her before her death. I don't know what happened that day."
In a statement today, Patricia Houston said that the singer's family was "saddened to learn of the toxicology results" but "glad to have closure."
On a related note: You can stop looking for the Whitney/Ray-J sextape you weren't looking for. A rep for Brandy's brother said it doesn't exist.
[Image via AP]