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cause of death
New York rapper A$AP Yams died of an accidental drug overdose, according to NYC’s chief medical examiner.
Steven Rodriguez, who was better known as A$AP Yams or Yamborghini, died aged 26 on January 18 at Brooklyn’s Woodhull Medical Centre.
A$AP Yams founded the rap collective A$AP Mob along with fellow New Yorkers A$AP Bari and A$AP Illz.
The New York Times reports that the rapper’s death was caused by acute mixed drug intoxication.
Opiates and benzodiazepines were found in A$AP Yams’ system and it was ruled an accident.
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Peaches Geldof’s cause of death has been ruled as heroin overdose, a coroner has said.
Peaches Geldof, who died this year at 25, had been a heroin addict and took the substitute drug methadone for two-and-a-half years before her death, the inquest heard.
A police search found 6.9g of heroin in the TV presenter’s house but there was no indication she had planned to take her own life.
Peaches Geldof’s husband, musician Tom Cohen, told the hearing in Gravesend she had started using the drug again in February this year.
Tom Cohen had witnessed Peaches Geldof flushing drugs she had hidden in their loft down the toilet, but was not aware of any other drugs in the house until they were found by police.
In his evidence, the musician said his wife had taken weekly drugs tests since seeking treatment for her addiction two years ago.
Although she had informed him they were clear, Tom Cohen said he now believed Peaches Geldof had been lying about the tests.
Tom Cohen, who married Peaches Geldof in 2012, found his wife slumped on the bed at their home in Wrotham in Kent on April 7 after becoming concerned when she failed to answer the phone.
He had been away for the weekend with the elder of their two sons, Astala, leaving Peaches Geldof at home with their 11-month old son, Phaedra.
Peaches Geldof died of a heroin overdose (photo Getty Images)
Peaches Geldof was pronounced dead at the scene.
After a toxicology report was issued in May, the police launched a criminal inquiry “into the supply of drugs” in connection with her death. No arrests have been made so far.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Fotheringham, who led the investigation, said “importation quality” heroin with a purity of 61% – “far exceeding” the 26% purity usually found at street level – was found in a black cloth bag inside a cupboard over a bedroom door.
“The black bag also contained 34 medical syringes, some were with needles and some without, some were sealed in original packaging and some contained traces of a brown colored residue,” he said.
“There were also 45 packaged and sealed syringes, alcohol wipes and cotton buds.”
Police also found a pair of knotted black tights under Peaches Geldof’s body and two other pairs of tights with knots in them elsewhere in the property, along with a number of burnt spoons.
The syringe containing the fatal dose was discovered in a cardboard box next to the bed, which also contained sweets.
Forensic scientist Emma Harris, who had been involved in examining the body, said: “Tolerance to heroin… appears to be lost fairly rapidly when users cease to use the drug, and deaths commonly occur in people who have previously been tolerant and have returned to using heroin.”
Pathologist Peter Jerreat said the levels of heroin in Peaches Geldof’s body were in a “fatal range”; while evidence of codeine, methadone and morphine were also found in her blood.
He further noted that puncture wounds were found on Peaches Geldof’s body on her elbows, wrists and thumbs.
Peaches Geldof’s mother, Paula Yates, died of a heroin overdose at the age of 41 when her daughter was 11 years old.
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A criminal inquiry has been launched by British police after it emerged that heroin was likely to have played a part in the death of Peaches Geldof.
Kent police said there was an “ongoing investigation into the supply of drugs” in connection with her death.
Peaches Geldof, 25, was found dead on April 7 by her husband, Thomas Cohen, in a spare bedroom in their home.
Toxicology tests showed Peaches Geldof had heroin in her system, an inquest heard on Thursday.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Fotheringham, told the hearing: “Recent use of heroin and the levels identified were likely to have played a role in her death.”
A police spokesman said: “Kent Police can confirm an ongoing investigation into the supply of drugs in connection with the death of Peaches Geldof.
“There have been no arrests at this stage.”
Peaches Geldof’s mother, TV presenter and writer Paula Yates, died from a heroin overdose at her London home, aged 41, in 2000.
Peaches Geldof had spoken openly about her struggle to deal with her mother’s death and of experimenting with drugs in her teenage years (photo Twitter)
At the inquest, Paul Fotheringham described how Peaches Geldof’s husband had tried to make contact with his wife before he found her body.
Thomas Cohen, a musician, had been away for the weekend with the elder of their two sons, Astala, leaving Peaches Geldof at home with their 11-month old son, Phaedra.
This was their normal weekend arrangement, Paul Fotheringham explained, allowing Peaches Geldof to concentrate on her work as a columnist.
“It is believed that Peaches spent Saturday afternoon, into the evening, and Sunday morning at her home address alone,” Paul Fotheringham told the inquest.
“Throughout this period she maintained telephone contact with family and friends, including contact with Thomas’s mother to arrange a family activity, but this was cancelled.
“All of the friends and family who had contact with Peaches during this period described how she seemed her normal self and was making plans for the future, including a family outing for her sons for the following weekend,” he continued.
“There was no cause for concern.”
However, on Monday morning, 7 April, Peaches Geldof’s husband tried to contact her without success. He then travelled to the family home in Wrotham, Kent with his mother, Sue, and son Astala arriving at around 13:30 BST.
“Thomas entered the property and located Peaches in the spare bedroom,” Paul Fotheringham said.
Peaches Geldof was slumped across the bed “with one leg hanging down to the floor and the other leg tucked underneath her,” he added. It was apparent she was dead.
Police and paramedics were called and Peaches Geldof was pronounced dead at the scene.
An initial post-mortem did not establish a cause of death and further toxicology tests were ordered. Those tests confirmed the recent use of heroin, it was disclosed on Thursday.
None of the Geldof family attended the hearing, which opened and adjourned within 10 minutes. Coroner Roger Hatch adjourned the inquest for a full hearing to take place on July 23, 2014.
Peaches Geldof had spoken openly about her struggle to deal with her mother’s death – and of experimenting with drugs in her teenage years – but had cited motherhood as a central part of her “healing” process.
Following Astala’s birth in 2012, “everything started to heal”, Peaches Geldof told Elle magazine.
“Even if it’s an archaic idea, I want Astala to have a mummy and daddy together forever,” Peaches Geldof said at the time.
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A New York medical examiner revealed Philip Seymour Hoffman died of an accidental overdose of a mixture of drugs including heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, and benzodiazepine.
Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead at his home in New York City on February 2 with a syringe in his arm. He was 46.
Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead at his home in New York City on February 2
The actor had struggled with drug addiction and had recently acknowledged he had relapsed after being clean for years.
The New York medical examiner revealed the post-mortem results on Friday.
Philip Seymour Hoffman was survived by his partner of 15 years, Mimi O’Donnell, and their three children.
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David Bowie has led the tributes to former Velvet Underground frontman Lou Reed, who died on Sunday aged 71.
David Bowie’s Facebook page said of his “old friend”, considered one of the most influential singers and songwriters in rock: “He was a master.”
Lou Reed’s second solo album Transformer, featuring Perfect Day and Walk on the Wild Side, was co-produced by David Bowie.
The singer’s literary agent said Lou Reed died of a “liver-related ailment”.
The last tweet posted on Lou Reed’s official Twitter account, hours before the news of his death, simply stated: “The Door”.
The tweet links through to a photograph of a door, with a poster of Lou Reed on it and the words “Papa Loves Baby” scrawled underneath.
Lou Reed’s former Velvet Underground bandmate John Cale wrote on his website: “The world has lost a fine songwriter and poet… I’ve lost my <<school-yard buddy>>.”
Other stars paying tribute included The Who, who tweeted: “RIP Lou Reed. Walk on the peaceful side.”
Iggy Pop said it was “devastating news”.
An admitted hard drinker and drug user for many years, Lou Reed had a liver transplant this May after suffering liver failure.
“I am a triumph of modern medicine,” Lou Reed posted on his website on June 1st.
But his literary agent Andrew Wylie said the musician, who died at his home in Long Island, New York, on Sunday morning, had not been well “for a few months”.
Many musicians paid homage to the influence Lou Reed had on their own careers.
Nikki Sixx of heavy metal band Motley Crue tweeted: “RIP Lou Reed. Thank you for your beautiful/dark lyrics/music and stance on life. You inspired me from my teenage years right up till today.”
Cyndi Lauper added that she was grateful for “his music and the influence he had on my music”.
Lou Reed’s literary agent said the singer died of a liver-related ailment
Tom Morello, of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, said: “My intro to Lou Reed/Velvet Underground was Jane’s Addiction cover of ‘Rock n Roll’. He was a singular, unique talent. RIP Lou and thanks.”
Lou Reed’s individuality was also hailed by Paul Stanley of Kiss, who called him “a musician, artist and trailblazer who played by his own rules”.
The Velvet Underground became renowned for their fusion of art and music and for collaborating with Andy Warhol.
However, the Velvet Underground never achieved commercial success during their 1960s existence, but their influence on music in later decades was widely recognised.
The glam, punk and alternative rock movements of the 1970s, 80s and 90s were all indebted to Lou Reed, whose songs were covered by the likes of REM, Bowie, Nirvana, Patti Smith and countless others.
Music producer Brian Eno once summed up their influence by saying: “The first Velvet Underground album only sold 10,000 copies, but everyone who bought it formed a band.”
The group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
Mia Farrow, whose career also began in the 1960s, simply said: “Deepest Gratitude Lou Reed. Peace. “
Whoopi Goldberg also paid tribute, saying: “The great & amazing Lou Reed has died my condolences 2 his wife Laurie Anderson. Lou was 1 of a kind & this colored girl still says dededede…”.
After quitting The Velvet Underground in 1970, Lou Reed released his self-titled debut in 1972, but it wasn’t until the Bowie-produced LP Transformer later that year that he achieved chart success.
Perfect Day enjoyed a revival in 1996 when it was featured in Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting.
As a solo artist, Lou Reed released 20 studio albums. His last, Hudson River Wind Meditations, was released in 2007.
Lou Reed is survived by his second wife, the musician and performing artist Laurie Anderson.
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The L.A. County Coroner’s Office finished Lisa Robin Kelly’s autopsy on Saturday, but the toxicology results will take another two weeks to complete, TMZ reported.
Lisa Robin Kelly died in her sleep aged 43 on Wednesday night while staying at a treatment centre for alcohol abuse – a few days previously she was admitted to hospital with a blood/alcohol reading of .34 (almost fatal).
The toxicology tests will help determine her exact cause of death.
The L.A. County Coroner’s Office finished Lisa Robin Kelly’s autopsy, but the toxicology results will take another two weeks to complete
That 70’s Show star was not taking any withdrawal drugs at the time she died, according to the rehab facility where she was staying.
According to TMZ, L.A County Coroners went to Pax Rehab House in Altadena, California on Thursday afternoon where they were told Lisa Robin Kelly wasn’t given any drugs.
Lisa Robin Kelly’s death seems mysterious as there were “no drugs or alcohol in her room, no vomit in her airway and no obvious sign of trauma”.
Her spokesman confirmed her death to TMZ on Thursday saying: “She had been fighting demons for a while and finally lost her battle.”
Lisa Robin Kelly’s manager, Craig Wyckoff, told FOX411 he had spoken with the troubled star on Monday and she was “hopeful and confident, looking forward to putting this part of her life behind her”.
Craig Wyckoff also confirmed that she had voluntarily checked herself into the centre after being in and out of treatment facilities for alcohol addiction – she vehemently denied taking drugs – trying to get on the road to recovery.
Lisa Robin Kelly is reported to have fallen off the wagon following a huge dispute with her estranged husband, Robert Gilliam.
“She was battling the addiction problems that have plagued her these past few years,” Craig Wyckoff said.
He added: “Cause of death has not been issued yet and no death certificate has been issued either.”
Cory Monteith’s autopsy that was scheduled to take place today will now be delayed, it has been reported.
Cory Monteith, 31, was found dead in his hotel room in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday.
Cory Monteith’s autopsy that was scheduled to take place today will now be delayed
The British Columbia Coroner’s office told UsWeekly that they “definitely” will not have toxicology and autopsy reports for Cory Monteith on Monday.
As for when the reports will be released, the Coroner’s office said: “We might well have an update tomorrow, but final cause of death might be several days or even a couple of weeks after that.”
According to E!, the results were going to be fast-tracked “due to intense public interest”.
It appears Kris Kross’ Chris Kelly has died of a suspected drug overdose after being found unresponsive at his home, police have said.
Yesterday police were called to Chris Kelly’s home by the rapper’s cousin at around 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday. After which he was taken to Atlanta Medical Centre.
Chris Kelly, 34, – half of Kris Kross rap duo famous for the hit song Jump – was pronounced dead at 5 p.m.
It appears Kris Kross’ Chris Kelly has died of a suspected drug overdose after being found unresponsive at his home
As yet there is no official confirmation of the cause of death but Cpl Kay Lester, a spokeswoman for the Fulton County police said: “It appears it may have been a possible drug overdose.”
An autopsy is due to be held on Thursday.
Chris Kelly, known as Mac Daddy, performed alongside Chris Smith, known as Daddy Mac, in the early and mid-90s.
The duo’s hit song Jump, from their 1992 debut album, Totally Krossed Out, helped propel them to stardom and sales of four million copies in the US, topping the Billboard charts for eight weeks.
The mysterious drowning of Natalie Wood on November 29, 1981, has been much speculated since her death.
Though it may never be clear what happened in the waters off Southern California’s Santa Catalina Island, TMZ reports that Natalie Wood’s death certificate has been changed from “Accident” to “Undetermined”.
TMZ reports that they were told by members of Natalie Wood’s family that L.A. County Sheriff’s Department detectives informed them of the change earlier today.
The family members were told that while Natalie Wood’s cause of death was irrefutably from drowning, they said that it is unclear how the actress got into the water.
The day the actress died, Natalie Wood was spending time with husband Robert Wagner and actor Christopher Walken both on Catalina Island and drinking on the yacht.
Robert Wagner said in the 1981 autopsy report that his wife “was not suicidal”.
He has dismissed suggestions that the actress’ death was anything other than an accident.
Natalie Wood’s death certificate has been changed from “Accident” to “Undetermined”
Natalie Wood and fellow actor Robert Wagner were married twice, first in 1957 before divorcing six years later. They remarried in 1972.
Her death during the Thanksgiving weekend in 1981 has long sparked tabloid speculation that foul play was involved. Rumors were reignited by author Marti Rulli, whose book, Goodbye Natalie, includes a fresh account of the incident by the yacht’s captain, Dennis Davern.
Dennis Davern has come forward to say he lied to investigators in the wake of the tragedy, and suggests Robert Wagner ensured the investigation was not as thorough as it could have been.
Asked on the Today show if he thought Robert Wagner was responsible for Natalie Wood’s death, Dennis Davern replied: “Yes, I would say so. Yes.”
“We didn’t take any steps to see if we could locate her. I think it was a matter of: <<We’re not going to look too hard. We’re not going to turn on the searchlight. We’re not going to notify anybody right now>>.”
“I made terrible decisions and mistakes. I made mistakes by not telling the honest truth in a police report.”
In a dossier on the case Dennis Davern and Marti Rulli have now sent to police, they claimed there was “a drastic delay” in calling for help after Natalie Wood went missing.
“There are many, many things that should be examined, but mainly the four-hour wait to call for the coastguard,” Marti Rulli said on CNN.
Dennis Davern maintains that, after the stand-off between Robert Wagner and Christopher Walken, husband and wife went to their state room, from which the skipper heard sounds of a heated argument and “thumping”.
Later, Dennis Davern went back on deck to be told by Robert Wagner that Natalie Wood was missing, along with the yacht’s dinghy.
Natalie Wood’s body was found hours later, floating in an upright position, her eyes fixed and open, her spectacular, long, dark hair trailing along the surface of the water. She was wearing a flannel nightgown, red down jacket and blue woolen socks.
Meanwhile, caught up in seaweed in a cove not far away was the missing dinghy, its oars in place and the key in the ignition in the “off” position, suggesting she had never made it into the boat or, if she had, had quickly fallen out.
Robert Wagner apparently thought she might have been heading for the shore, where there was a bar, or gone party-hopping to one of the other rich people’s boats moored nearby.
Later he suggested she had not been trying to leave the yacht at all, but that she had heard the dinghy slapping against the side of the boat and had gone to secure it more firmly, only to fall in.
Police concluded that the two dozen bruises on her body, including cuts on Natalie Wood’s face, were sustained when she fell overboard and struggled in the water.
Bobbi Kristina Brown was spotted looking understandably forlorn after Whitney Houston’s cause of death was revealed last week.
Bobbi Kristina Brown, 19, stepped out in Atlanta with her boyfriend Nick Gordon, who appeared to comfort her.
The teenager appeared subdued as she visited a supermarket and kept close to Nick Gordon.
The couple held hands and Nick Gordon, who moved in to Whitney Houston’s home ten years ago, was also seen putting his arm around Bobbi Kristina’s shoulder comforting her.
Bobbi Kristina Brown and Nick Gordon held hands as they stepped out to visit a supermarket in Atlanta
Last week, the LA County Coroner released details on the cause of Whitney Houston’s death.
The pop icon had cocaine in her system when she drowned in a hotel bathtub on February 11, according to the official report.
Whitney Houston sunk into the bathwater after suffering a massive heart attack caused in part by her prolonged drug abuse.
Following the news, Whitney Houston’s family released a statement that says: “We are saddened to learn of the toxicology results, although we are glad to now have closure.”
And her mother Cissy Houston is reported to be “shocked” to learn that her daughter was still using drugs at the time of her death.
According to TMZ, Cissy Houston believes her daughter began taking drugs again due to stress over her comeback, but thought Whitney to be sober as she filmed the movie Sparkle.
Whitney Houston died from accidental drowning, but drug abuse and heart disease were also factors, a coroner has ruled today.
Coroner’s spokesman Craig Harvey said drug tests indicated Whitney Houston was a chronic cocaine user.
The announcement ends weeks of speculation over the cause of Whitney Houston’s death.
Whitney Houston cause of death was accidental drowning, but drug abuse and heart disease were also factors
The report also found that Whitney Houston had marijuana, as well as Xanax (anxiety medication), Flexeril (muscle relaxer) and Benadryl (allergy medication) in her system.
A source connected to the investigation told TMZ us it is “very possible” Whitney Houston had a heart attack that caused her to lose consciousness and drown. The heart attack may have been triggered by hardening of the arteries as a result of cocaine use.
Whitney Houston was found unresponsive and underwater in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 11, a day before the Grammy Awards, and was pronounced dead at the scene soon afterward.
Coroner officials previously confirmed that prescription pill bottles were found in her room, but the pills were “not in alarming amounts.”
However, investigators found no evidence of cocaine in the hotel room.
A final report is expected to be ready for release within two weeks.
“We are saddened to learn of the toxicology results, although we are glad to now have closure,” Patricia Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law, said in a statement released to E! News.
Whitney Houston, who had long battled drug addiction, was laid to rest on February 19 at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey, alongside her father, following a star-studded memorial the day before.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office has received phone calls and emails from different people claiming to be relatives of Whitney Houston and demanding murder investigation in singer’s death.
According to TMZ, the calls and emails were made by several different people, some claiming to be relatives of Whitney Houston and some relatives of Bobby Brown. The calls and emails have a common theme – the belief Whitney Houston may have been murdered. At least one person claimed to have information supporting the murder theory.
The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office has received phone calls and emails from different people claiming to be relatives of Whitney Houston and demanding murder investigation in singer’s death
At least one caller offered a theory about a relative who might have done Whitney Houston in, but offered no supporting proof.
The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office has not verified the callers were indeed relatives.
The Coroner has already said there was no sign of foul play or trauma, but the official cause of death won’t be determined until toxicology results are in.
An official from the Coroner’s Office says the investigation is ongoing and would not comment further.
Authorities found no evidence of foul play related to Whitney Houston’s death, which is set to be declared an accident.
Whitney Houston died in mysterious circumstances, leading to speculation that other people could have been involved in her death.
But investigations into the singer’s death have not uncovered signs that it was anything other than accidental.
A source told E! News that “nothing suspicious” connected the death to any of Whitney Houston’s associates, staff or doctors.
“She had no marks on her body whatsoever to indicate a struggle, and she was the furthest thing from trying to kill herself,” the source continued.
On Whitney Houston’s death certificate no cause of death was specified, as officials waited for the result of a toxicology test.
That result could come as early as next week, which would bring the investigation close to a conclusion.
Investigations into Whitney Houston's death have not uncovered signs that it was anything other than accidental
Whitney Houston’s family have apparently been convinced all along that her death must have been accidental.
But Whitney Houston’s former sister-in-law Leolah Brown told Access Hollywood: “I believe Whitney’s death was not accidental.”
Leolah Brown, sister of singer Bobby Brown, also advised the couple’s daughter Bobbi Kristina that she should “not trust anybody at this time”.
Whitney Houston was found dead aged 48 on February 11 in the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
The singer was found dead in a bathtub in her suite, sparking suggestions she might have passed out after a drug overdose.
Whitney Houston, most famous for her hit I Will Always Love You, was a regular user of crack cocaine and other drugs.
Just days before her death Whitney Houston was photographed looking disheveled and bleeding outside a Los Angeles nightclub.
Whitney Houston’s funeral was held a week later in her home town of Newark, New Jersey.
Following Whitney Houston’s death claims emerged stating that singer was disheveled and incoherent and that she interrupted an E! interview the Thursday before her death.
However, according to Radaronline, this is false and a source said: “Whitney waited until E! had finished filming to say hello. Clive, Brandy and Monica were doing interviews with multiple media outlets to promote their performance at the pre-Grammy party.
“The interview was finished, and the E! crew was off to the side taking their equipment down, and the trio was awaiting the next outlet to come in and set up. As soon as the E! crew saw Whitney enter the room, they started rolling their cameras. Whitney came over, and said hello to all three. She was completely sober, coherent, and absolutely respectful. She just wanted to wish Brandy and Monica good luck.”
Following Whitney Houston's death claims emerged stating that singer was disheveled and incoherent and that she interrupted an E! interview the Thursday before her death
The Beverly Hilton hotel room where Whitney Houston died in is said to be fully booked for the “foreseeable future” it has been reported.
Meanwhile, Whitney Houston’s death certificate has been released, but failed to determine the cause of death listing “pending investigation” as the manner of death and “deferred” is written for the immediate cause.
While it is known that Whitney Houston drank alcohol and had taken prescription drugs before her death it is still not clear what the exact cause is – and it has been reported it will be hard to get a clear picture of exactly what she was taking.
Whitney Houston’s death certificate has been released and failed to determine the singer’s cause of death.
The legendary singer’s death certificate is listing “pending investigation” as the manner of death and “deferred” is written for the immediate cause.
While it is known that Whitney Houston drank alcohol and had taken prescription drugs before her death it is still not clear what the exact cause is – and it has been reported it will be hard to get a clear picture of exactly what she was taking.
According to The LA Times: “The Los Angeles County coroner’s office said Wednesday investigators have asked <<a number>> of doctors to provide them with Houston’s medical information.”
L.A. County Sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Opferman told LA Times: “Celebrities often get their prescription drugs from doctors who are more than willing to give them what they want and sometimes using members of their entourage.”
Whitney Houston’s death certificate has been released and failed to determine the singer’s cause of death
Whitney Houston’s funeral will take place on Saturday at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ, which is the same place her father is buried.
The funeral will be broadcast by The Associated Press and will allow fans to pay their own tributes from home on the television and web.
There will be no public memorial service and pastor Marvin L Winans, who will be giving a eulogy said the family didn’t want “a parade”.
“I don’t think knowing Cissy (Houston’s mother) and the Houston family … it was a matter of public or private as it was this is my daughter, this is my sister, this is my mother, this is my friend and we want to do this with dignity.”
As speculation continues about the cause of Whitney Houston’s death, gossip website TMZ reported that some of her prescriptions were filled out at the infamous Mickey Fine pharmacy.
Mickey Fine pharmacy was raided in 2009 by the DEA for evidence of “improper dispensing of controlled substances”, in connection with the death of Michael Jackson.
These reports have yet to be confirmed.
Michael Jackson was said to have received from the Beverly Hills pharmacy the highly addictive Demerol – one of the drugs which was alleged to have contributed to his death – and agents believe it may have refilled prescriptions without a doctor’s authorization.
It took nearly three months for the coroner to officially rule on Michael Jackson’s death which was eventually determined to be from “acute propofol intoxication” and two other drugs.
Mickey Fine’s is thought to have been the go-to pharmacy for both singers who are believed to have spent thousands of dollars there.
US reports claim that some of Whitney Houston prescriptions were filled out at Mickey Fine pharmacy that was under investigation in connection with Michael Jackson’s death
Some of the prescriptions found in Whitney Houston’s hotel room were reportedly issued in 2011, but some were believed to have been more recent.
The amoxicillin was recently prescribed to Whitney Houston for a sore throat, sources told TMZ.
A coroner ruled today that it was impossible to ascertain the exact cause of Whitney Houston’s death but ruled out foul play.
The singer’s family was allegedly told by Los Angeles County Coroner officials there was not enough water in her lungs to conclude she had drowned in her luxury hotel bathtub and in fact died before her head went under water, said TMZ.
Los Angeles assistant chief coroner Ed Winter refused to go into details and said toxicology reports will not be available for several weeks, making it impossible to pinpoint the exact cause of death.
Ed Winter confirmed to ABC that officials found prescription bottles, but said there wasn’t anything “alarming” or “out of the ordinary” about them.
Though there were reports Whitney Houston had drowned, or overdosed, he said they won’t make a final determination until “all the tests are in”.
Ed Winter said: “No matter what medications they’re taking, until we run a (toxicology test) and see the level and what’s in the system, we’re not going to speculate.”
County coroners will request copies of her medical records and will compare them with prescription bottles found in the hotel room, a source told The Sun.
If anyone gave Whitney Houston the drugs illegally, they could be charged.
“[Authorities] need to determine that no one is criminally negligent. There still could be charges in this case,” the source said.
Coroners have still not ruled a cause of death but it is believed she died – perhaps from a mixture of drugs – before she became submerged in the bath where her body was found.
Law enforcement sources said it is possible Whitney Houston suffered a heart attack as a result of the cocktail of drugs she had taken.
While questions remain about what happened prior to her death, photographs shed some light on Whitney Houston’s last minutes.
Pictures released of the hotel room in which Whitney Houston died show remains of her final meal – a hamburger, fries and a turkey sandwich – which she is said to have eaten in the bathroom immediately before she died.
The pictures also show Whitney Houston was drinking champagne and beer shortly before her death.
No illegal drugs have been found in the Beverly Hilton hotel room where Whitney Houston died Saturday afternoon, at least not yet, but prescription drugs were present.
According to TMZ website, it’s possible the singer drowned in the bathtub.
Sources told TMZ that when EMTs arrived Whitney Houston’s body was already removed from the bathtub so it will take an autopsy to determine if she OD’d, drowned or died from some other cause.
According to TMZ website, it's possible Whitney Houston drowned in the bathtub in the Beverly Hilton hotel room
Informed sources told the celebrities website that Beverly Hills cops, who were still searching the room at this time, found various pill bottles. There was no evidence that Whitney Houston was drinking alcohol in the room.
Whitney Houston’s body was just removed from the room on a gurney. It will go to the morgue for an autopsy to determine cause of death.
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Bobby Brown is reportedly “in and out of crying fits” after the death of his ex-wife Whitney Houston.
Bobby Brown, 43, decided the show must go on and still took to the stage to perform with his band New Edition, just hours after Whitney Houston’s sudden and tragic passing.
During his concert in Mississippi, Bobby Brown tearfully shouted: “I love you, Whitney,” as he blew kisses to the sky.
Bobby Brown told the crowd: “I would like to say, <<I love you, Whitney>>. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage.”
According to Us Weekly, Bobby Brown received huge applause as he came onstage late, after apparently breaking down just before the show was due to begin.
A source told the publication that Bobby Brown broke down during his performance of the ballad Tenderoni, and asked the audience to sing along as he sobbed.
Bobby Brown was then unable to finish the song and walked off, with the concert finishing shortly afterwards.
A relative of Bobby Brown has said that he is “shattered and beyond devastated” at the news.
The source has said: “He wanted to tell everyone about it before it hit the news. He didn’t want any of us to hear about it on television.”
The relative added: “He could hardly get the words out when he called me. He was sobbing, and by the end of the call, I was sobbing too. He’s beside himself right now.”
Whitney Houston died this afternoon at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, aged 48.
A spokesman for the local police department said that emergency services had been called to the hotel at 3:43 Saturday afternoon, arriving minutes later.
Officials rushed to the room on the fourth floor where Whitney Houston was staying as a guest, where they found security staff attempting to revive her.
Life-saving attempts were unsuccessful, and Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m.
The cause of death is as yet unknown.
TMZ also reports that, according to hotel staff, Whitney Houston “partied heavily” with friends last night, who were all drinking in the bar and making lots of noise.
Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston had a notoriously turbulent relationship that was riddled with drug use and marital problems
Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston had a notoriously turbulent relationship that was riddled with drug use and marital problems.
Whitney Houston admitted that she and Bobby Brown took cocaine and marijuana together through their 14 years of marriage.
During this tumultuous time, Bobby Brown was arrested for drugs and alcohol and Whitney Houston entered drug rehabilitation programs twice.
Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown wed in July 1992 and eventually separated in September 2006, before their divorce was finalized in April 2007.
Three years after their split, Whitney Houston described her troubled marriage to Bobby with the poignant words: “He was my drug”.
Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown have an 18-year-old daughter together, Bobbi Kristina.
Despite Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston’s rocky relationship, the trio were reunited last week for a slap-up meal together.
Whitney Houston looked happy as she left the Beverly Hills eatery after dinner, and was followed shortly after Bobby Brown and their daughter Bobbi Kristina, who held hands as they headed off together.
Whitney Houston won custody of Bobbi Kristina following her divorce from the R&B star, with Bobby Brown being allowed visitation rights.
However the pair’s last public outing together showed they seemed to have put their toxic past behind them.
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Whitney Houston tragically died Saturday afternoon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles at the age of 48 after partied the night before.
While the star’s cause of death is as yet unknown, it has been reported that Whitney Houston “partied heavily” the night before.
Whitney Houston died at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where she was staying in order to attend at perform at a pre-Grammys party hosted by Clive Davis.
According to TMZ, Whitney Houston was seen with a large group of friends at the hotel bar on the eve of her death.
Sources told TMZ that the group were drinking and being loud.
TMZ went on to allege that Whitney Houston and her friends stood out because of all the noise they were making, despite the fact that the hotel was abuzz with guests getting ready for the pre-Grammy festivities.
A spokesman for the local police department said that emergency services had been called to the hotel at 3:43 Saturday afternoon, arriving minutes later.
Officials rushed to the room on the fourth floor where Whitney Houston was staying as a guest, where they found security staff attempting to revive her.
Life-saving attempts were unsuccessful, and the singer was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m.
According to TMZ, police have sealed off the hotel room where Whitney Houston died and will not be searching it until they have obtained a search warrant.
TMZ reports that their primary interest is to establish whether or not drugs were present in the room.
According to TMZ, Whitney Houston was seen with a large group of friends at the hotel bar on the eve of her death
Whitney Houston was spotted looking worse for wear on a night out with friends just two days before her death.
The singer had been a guest at the Kelly Price & Friends Unplugged: For The Love Of R&B Grammy Party at Tru Hollywood and had even performed during the night.
A witness told Us Weekly at the time that Whitney Houston had appeared “wasted” and “moody” as she exited the night club.
The source said: “She reacted angrily to the security guards trying to get her into her car…and started cussing them out.”
The observer went on to say that even though Whitney Houston was stopping and signing autographs for fans, “she would get moody again in a split second”.
The source added: “It was sad because her fans noticed that she was really shaky as she left the venue. She definitely was not in control of herself.”
Dressed all in black, Whitney Houston appeared angry and agitated as she left the venue and looked like she had partied a little hard.
Wearing a short black dress the star emerged with her hair messed up and gestured aggressively to the waiting photographers.
The release of the photos showing the star’s erratic behavior and disheveled look sparked concern over the singer’s health.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Whitney Houston had a run-in with former X Factor contestant Stacy Francis that evening, after the star failed to remember the aspiring singer after she once pulled her onstage during one of her concerts.
A source told the website that Whitney Houston was “cordial at first” but the scene soon changed after Whitney’s friend, R&B star Ray J, stepped in.
An eyewitness said: “Whitney just got belligerent. Ray was trying to defend Stacy, telling Whitney, <<Stacy’s family!>>, but Whitney was feeling crowded out and hands were raised.”
The source added: “You didn’t know which way it could go there for a minute.”
When contacted by The Hollywood Reporter following the alleged incident, Stacy Francis said: “I have the utmost respect for Whitney Houston and her talent.”
However, Us Weekly reports that Whitney Houston “was fine” the following day as she conducted a sound-check to gear up for her performance at the pre-Grammys party.
A source told the magazine: “She was present and ready…She had water to keep her vocals clear, and was trying to not smoke.”
Whitney Houston has previously battled an addiction to crack cocaine and admitted to taking drugs with Bobby Brown during their turbulent 14 years of marriage.
Warrant singer Jani Lane died from alcohol poisoning, as officials have determined.
According to TMZ, the Los Angeles Coroner’s Office has finished its investigation and has concluded Jani Lane had suffered from “acute ethanol poisoning” when he died in an L.A. motel room on August 11, 2011.
At the moment of Jani Lane’s death, investigators found a half-empty bottle of vodka and prescription medication in the motel room where he died.
Jani Lane had battled substance abuse issues for many years.
Jani Lane’s official cause of death is alcohol poisoning
On August 11, 2011, Lane was found dead at a Comfort Inn hotel in Woodland Hills, California. Jani Lane was 47 years old.
Jani Lane is survived by his wife, Kimberly; a brother, Eric; three sisters, Marcine Williams, Michelle Robinson and Victoria Oswald-Ley; a daughter from his first marriage, Taylar Lane; a daughter from his second marriage, Madison Lane; and two stepdaughters, Ryan and Brittany.
