There are so many stories coming out after Whitney Houston’s untimely death this weekend. I’ll do my best to give an overview. Prior to covering all of this I just want to note that prescription drug overdoses now kill more people in the US than car accidents. I’ve seen prescription drug abuse affect people I know and it’s sad and scary to witness. I have a lot of sympathy for Whitney’s family, and of course for Whitney, but ultimately I feel that she is responsible for her addiction. It’s tragic that she paid for it with her life.
Investigation into her death
The Beverly Hills Police Department has announced that an investigation is ongoing into Whitney’s death, but that “it is not a criminal investigation” and that they are treating it as an accident. They state that “as of right now, it is a coroner’s case” and that they do not yet know the cause of death. TMZ claimed that a few pills were recovered at the scene including Xanax, Amoxicillin for a sore throat that Whitney was suffering, and Midol. Radar claims that three different sedatives were found in the room: Xanax, Lorazepam, and Valium.
Sedatives can cause serious side effects when mixed with alcohol. It’s known that Whitney was drinking that night. Some reports claim that Whitney’s family was told that there was not enough water in her lungs to conclude that she had died from drowning in the tub. Radar is now reporting that preliminary toxicology reports found benzodiazepines in her system. All of the sedatives reportedly found at the scene are benzodiazepines and can be fatal if mixed.
Whitney’s financial situation
Just prior to Whitney passing, the Enquirer ran a story that she was nearly destitute, and was back on drugs. Their sister site Radar Online has more on Whitney’s financial situation before she died, and they claim that she had been borrowing money from producer Clive Davis to live on. Whitney had a film coming up later this year that she co-produced and starred in, Sparkle, on which she was said to be hanging her hopes on a comeback. It will come out in August as scheduled and previous reports that it would be released early are said to be false.
The death scene
Both TMZ and Fox News are running photos featuring the tub where Whitney died and the remnants of the food she ordered from room service that fateful night. It’s tasteless to say the least and I don’t get the fascination with it.
The funeral plans
Whitney’s body has been returned to New Jersey on a private jet belonging to Tyler Perry. Her remains are being interred at a funeral home in her hometown of Newark, NJ. Her family is reportedly considering holding a wake on Thursday and a funeral on Friday. They’re said to be considering a public service at the Prudential center, which holds 18,000.
Whitney’s family
We’ve heard that Whitney’s only child, her 18 year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina, has been understandably inconsolable and needed to be hospitalized twice in the days following her mother’s death. Bobbi is said to have mixed a sedative with booze, just like her poor mom, and to have passed out. Bobbi’s most recent problems with drugs and alcohol may have preceded her mother’s death. She’s said to have also fallen asleep in a tub in the same hotel her mom died in, the day before Whitney’s died in an eerily similar way. Bobbi’s dad, Whitney’s ex husband Bobby Brown, has flown back to L.A. to be with his daughter.
Finger pointing and blame
Chaka Khan went on Piers Morgan last night and put a few people on blast for allowing Whitney, who has a well known and admitted history with addiction, to party in LA a week prior to her performance. I get that when someone dies you want to figure out why. As I mentioned above, Whitney made the decision to put those pills in her mouth. It’s not anyone’s fault and unlike Anna Nicole Smith it’s not like they were keeping her drugged for some nefarious purpose.
Celine Dion also made a statement that “It’s just really unfortunate that drugs, bad people, bad influences took over her dreams, her motherhood.” She also made comparisons to Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Amy Winehouse, and Michael Jackson. It seemed a little harsh at this point, but a lot of other people are saying it.
Condolences and tributes for Whitney
So many of us are in mourning that such a talented woman has died well before her time. There are a lot of sweet tributes in the press from celebrities who knew her and were inspired by her. Here are just a few:
Jennifer Hudson called it “greatest honor of my life” to sing for Whitney at the Grammys and said “I haven’t stopped crying since she passed.”
Singer Brandy said “My heart is destroyed. I lost my idol and dear friend.”
Bobby Brown issued a statement that he was “deeply saddened” and asked for privacy.
Even President Obama issued a statement through his press secretary, who said “
And Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell made a visit to the Beverly Hilton, where Whitney died, to place flowers at a memorial for her there.
RIP Whitney.
Photo credit: WENN.com
I did not know that she produced the princess diaries movies… Love those
They now kill 200,000 Americans every year.
I’m ashamed to say it, but her bolt-ons were about the worst ever in that pic with Clive.
It’s just sad, tragic and more sad.
I’m not really familiar with this but who are they getting the drugs from? Is it doctors? I know you’re a doctor so it’s really annoying/sad/angering when someone decides to taint your profession (in general). Some people always ruin it for everybody else.
Hey Asli, I am not a physician, but a Nuclear Medicine technologist, along with regular x-ray and US. That said, I have worked in the profession in large hospitals for over 20 years. I also did PET scanning and Cardiac scanning in Dr’s offices everyday. Loads of cancer work, all the brain death studies.
They get it from Docs. I am personally embarrassed by the way the US medical system handles prescriptions. I dearly wish we could somehow meld both Western and Holistic medicine to better treat patients. I have witnessed and been given too many to count freebies, luncheons and the like from drug reps. It’s a slimy business and frustrating for those of us trying to help people.
I also have a significant medical history myself, and I have seen Docs all over the US, Canada and Europe for the last two years. Because of my meds, I had to see a Dr. once a month to have my meds filled as they are classed as dangerous meds. In the US, they hand out pills like candy compared to the rest of the world, though you can buy OTC codeine here.
Literally, if I had not taken myself off all those meds, I’d still be taking them, and I’d still be miserable.
Drug companies have so much money and MORE money is being spent by them in advertising now than research and development. I heartily blame Big Pharma for being the drug pushers they are.
Sorry for the long post, but I really feel that way. Why should they CURE diseases and lose revenue when they can manage your disease and keep you on their drugs? Why cure cancer? Anxiety? The attitude by drug companies is treat, not cure.
BTW, I am not an MD by choice. I was pre-med and changed after my initial degree in Biology. I wanted to work in Oncology and still have time to have a family, so I took my degree and went to School for Nucs and that was that.
I don’t want anyone to think I am something I am not. Happily not a doc, but important just the same.
I will say that while I had patients in my department that were terminally sick with cancer I was the FIRST one on the phone with the floor to get these patients pain medicated-when someone begs you to die, you just want them to be comfortable. Terminal? In my eyes, you get whatever meds you need, other than that, please do not take a prescription just because your doc fills it out. I’d be dead if I was still doing that. Obviously, I take my hormones and asthma meds and am still weaning off the valium. Benzos have to be very carefully weaned or you want to die.
Thank you so much! That was very informative. And kind of scary. I appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me 😀 My uncle has to take medication for a brain damage that affected his short time memory. They don’t give him pill bottles, he has to go down to the pharmacy and get a pill every day. He has OD’ed in the past because he forgets if he has taken a pill that day so they regulate it.
It was very nice of Tyler Perry to make a private jet available. I hope Bobbi Kristina will make it out of this okay.
Rest in peace, Whitney.
Aww, Whit! I don’t want you lumped in with the likes Amy Winehouse, Anna Nicole, and their lot. I thought you were trying to get better and get your career back. Hearing more news about her poor daughter’s problems with possible abuse just floor me. I still feel like I need to side-eye Bobby Brown for his contributions to this mother’s path. I wish more people would want to see their lives happy and make the hard decisions to ensure that happiness. Drugs are fleeting…
Being on drugs is a living death. Her ex-bodyguard was on GMA and he said they never let her take a bath, only showers. They never let her stay alone in the bathroom for more than 10 minutes. How sad.
“Both TMZ and Fox News are running photos featuring the tub where Whitney died” That’s just gross. I agree 100% it’s her fault for taking those pills but a part of me just wonders why her family and friends knowing her history didn’t flush that crap down the toilet any chance they got. Her little girl is heading into trouble too. Addiction is genetic, she already started using drugs and is having a hard time (understandable) dealing with her mom’s death. It’s time people who SAY they care about that family to help that girl.
I read in another article that someone from her entourage gave Bobbi K some sedatives washed down with liquor after she found out her mom died and became hysterical. Obviously the people in WH’s entourage doesn’t know squat.
I don’t understand why someone with a child and as much money and fame as Whitney wouldn’t already have a burial plan written up (done at the same time as a will). That way there’d be no question about where she would be laid to rest.
I wonder..what will happen to Bobby Cristina? She doesn’t seem able to stay clean, and now. I’m so sorry for her.
The UK Daily Mail ran some death scene pics too. Utterly ghoulish. I think if we’re being honest it’s not a surprise how Whitney’s story ended, but she deserves some dignity now at least.
Rest in peace, Whitney. No one, no one compares to you. You are in a league of your own. and you will always be loved.
There’s a piece on her over at the Daily Beast.
http://tinyurl.com/7ckpooc
It’s not entirely flattering, but attempts to give more insight into her struggles.
Sorry but I can’t stand that hipocrisy. She was a mess for last 15 years. She lost her voice and beauty long time ago. Media and people only made fun of her. She wasn’t saint. She is the only one to blame for her own death. The same was with Jackson, Presley, Winehouse, Monroe. Everyone and everything were guilty but not them because they were so sensitive and special. Yeah right! Why can’t all these people take responsibility for their actions? And death.
Liz the person that needed to take responsibility did. It is documented in interviews and one in particular with D. Sawyer where D. asked her what was the evil and she said she was. She went on to explain that she was her best friend and worst enemy. Her friend last nite said she started using before Bobby and the blame with him should stop. Even if she started with him. It’s her responsibility to fight her own addiction; sadly us addicts are ultimately on our own. It requires a strength I would have never, ever known existed. Another friend went on to say that Whitney was always reminding people that she was a grown adult, thus responsible for herself. If anything, it’s the public and media who are looking for someone to blame. I believe it people were negligent, drs., dealers, etc. hold them accountable but it doesn’t mean they are responsible.
We live in a society that has been plagued by the unconscious myth/archetype of Messiah and victim or Mother and child. All of our actions and thoughts are predicated upon the latter. We usually receive the answers too late.
I don’t understand why it’s hypocritical to be sad when someone you admire dies. If your best friend drunkenly steps out in front of traffic – their fault!! – does that negate your fond memories of them?
And in all the coverage of Whitney’s death the recurring theme IS how a once spectacular talent could have wasted her voice and her money like she did.
Having relatives who went through addiction I have the ability to EMPATHIZE with others. The truth is what happend was sad, it was preventable but that does’nt change one persons ability to feel, to EMPATHIZE with those lost souls who just couldn’t get it right. The ability to care and empathize are something that is often forgotten in the twitter age but it is needed.
I was listening to her 80s/90s music and now I’m wondering how/why Madonna is considered the queen of pop. I think the title belongs to Whitney.
You are entitled to your opinions and feelings but I can only remember three or four Whitney Houston songs. One of which was a sorry version of a Dolly Parton song. Not to be harsh but Madonna has a huge amount of pop hits. I don’t even know how many. On the other hand,to her credit, Whitney Houston was never known for stomping a flower.
Wow, U sound foolish. WH sold 170Million CD world wide. Granted U may not like her music thus b the reason for not knowing her song titles. I’m not a Madonna fan can’t name ten of her songs doesn’t mean she isn’t talented.
If U can do better YouTube is open 24/7 do The world s favor. We need good music.
I hate the term RIP. It reminds me too much of Halloween and always seems insincere and fake. Not the actual term “rest in peace” which is especially fitting for Whitney, but just the shortcut RIP. It reminds me of plastic tombs and cheap candy.
Lol, yeah it does me, too.
What brilliant family/friend thought it would be acceptable to allow Bobbi Kristina to drink and take sedatives because she was upset her mother died from drinking and taking sedatives?? WTF????
The news of Whitney’s death didn’t really affect me when I heard it. I was actually kinda silent about it, I didnt know what to say and how I felt about it. Just moving on with life. This morning I heard one of her songs and suddenly the floodgates opened and tears were streaming down my face while I was full on singing along with her in the bedroom. That was very unexpected. Just goes to show how her amazing voice could affect a person.
Did you heard what jennifer Hollyday said on Piers Morgan ?
That unfortunately drug was all over them all way before Bobby was in the picture, that they all did it, Whitney included and that drugs but also AIDS wiped out many of Whitney’s friends in the early 90’s.
So i think we can stop with blaming Bobby or anyone else. There is a drug environment out there that live around those stars and Whitney was not only aware of it but digged it from the get go.
The saddest thing is while Bobby and her were both druggies and both did brought thge other’s down being too drugged out to be supportive, only Whitney became severly addicted to it.
And both were at the top of their game before they got together while Bobby’s career plumeted much quicker like a year into the marriage as Whitney kept on being succesful for a couple of years afterwards.
The blame is on drug they BOTH allowed that was two times more destructive to them because they both did it and feed each other’s own destruction. I mean I even rememebered the constant battlm between Cissy and Whitney who wanted to remove Bobbi K from them and raised her. Still don’t know why it was never done because I fear for that child.
Hopefully Bobby can become more responsible and give his child all the support she needs surrounded by half siblings who have lived in a free drug environment.
I wish people would stfu about this so called ‘hypocritical’ bs. We know she was back on drugs and is responsible for her own death. I am not saying pretend like she didn’t have her problems with drugs; I am saying stop pretending like that was all there was to her. As if she never had this amazing talent and never accomplished anything. You can grieve for someone you admire w/o highlighting their faults every two seconds. We all have flaws and shortcomings. When you die, is that all you want people to focus on? No. She was more than a drug addict; she was a mother, sister, daughter and friend. If you can’t find anything good to say, just stfu. How would you feel if you lose someone you loved and people were coming up to you saying, ‘I am sorry for your lost but he/she was an alcoholic so you shouldn’t be surprised.’ You would never say this to someone in public. Certain manners and respect shouldn’t disappear b/c you are on the internet.
I was so sad when I heard that Bobbi Christina was drinking and taking sedatives immediately after the death of her mother. She should have been watched over and made sure she would not drink alcohol. She is still a child and she needs to be comforted at a time like this, not drugged!
Whitney was the greatest. I loved her throughout my childhood and teen years. I will admit that I sort of lost touch with her career as I got older because my musical interests changed. I had a passing knowledge of what was going on with her and Bobby Brown and found it sad. I started following her again a few years back when she did the Oprah interview and the Diane Sawyer one. She never lost her voice. She could still sing like an angel. I was surprised but she could still carry a tune.
Whitney Houston battled an addiction and unfortuantely instead of beating it, it beat her. Its horrible and devastating.
That being said, I find it brutal that doctors will prescribe certain prescription meds to people who have addictions to drugs and alcohol. Its a recipe for disaster really.
The world has lost another great talent and it tortures me. I spent the whole day yesterday listening to Whitney songs and wishing that I had seen her live at some point in my life. She was amazing. Its unfortunate.
Whats even worse is one of the first thoughts I had was “why couldn’t it have been Lindsay Lohan”? I know that is awful but that would be much less shocking for me and I wouldn’t have felt anything one way or another about that because Lindsay Lohan is a mess and is circling the drain.
Billy Joel was right when he said the good die young :'(
My elderly aunt just died. After her death, when we were going through her stuff to clean out, we discovered the extent of the medicines, particularly Benzos, the doctor had her on. It was appalling. I don’t say that is what killed her because she did have a lot of other health issues, but I do now understand why she was so sleepy most of the time.
i cannot stand this BS that she was a prescription drug overdose. if people really care about Whitney, let her sad example HELP others who also struggle with crack addictions. in any case, poor Whitney. so beautiful and talented. it is so sad, for her — and her family — that she got hooked on crack.
great article btw about her crack struggles
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2100280/Whitney-Houstons-cause-death-Singer-sought-oblivion-crack-cocaine.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
I’m not sure if this story is true or not, but I saw something on TV last night that indicated Whit had been “doctor shopping” while in LA; and that one of her prescriptions was filled at the same pharmacy as some of MJ’s.
Supposedly, some of the prescriptions were obtained earlier this month, and there were very few pills left.
FWIW.
I heard this rumor too.Isn’t that weird? This pharmacy maybe legal but to me it’s no different than a dealer’s crib.Horrifying!She was so beautiful,it’s just so sad.
http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Whitney+Houston/FILE+infamous+Mickey+Fine+pharmacy+singer/wZirBfT50Dp
The funeral is invitation-only at her family church in Newark. There are no plans for a public memorial at this time.
Apparently Sony upped the price of her best-of on itunes within hours of her death. Classy decision there.