LOS ANGELES — Whitney Houston, who ruled
as pop music's queen until her majestic
voice and regal image were ravaged by drug
use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous
marriage to singer Bobby Brown, died
Saturday. She was 48.
Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen told
reporters outside the Beverly Hilton that
Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m.
in her room on the fourth floor of the hotel.
Her body remained there and Beverly Hills
detectives were investigating.
"There were no obvious signs of any
criminal intent," Rosen said.
Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, said the
cause of death was unknown.
Rosen said police received a 911 call from
hotel security about Houston at 3:43 p.m.
Saturday. Paramedics who were already at
the hotel because of a Grammy party
unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate the
singer, he said.
Houston's end came on the eve of music's
biggest night — the Grammy Awards. It's a
showcase where she once reigned, and her
death was sure to cast a heavy pall on
Sunday's ceremony.
Her longtime mentor Clive Davis was to hold
his annual concert and dinner Saturday, and
a representative of the show said it would
proceed.
Producer Jimmy Jam, who had worked with
Houston, said he anticipated the evening
would become a tribute to her, and he
expected there to be one at the Grammys as
well.
Houston was supposed to appear at the
gala, and Davis had told The Associated
Press that she would perhaps perform: "It's
her favorite night of the year ... (so) who
knows by the end of the evening," he said.
Houston had been at rehearsals for the
show Thursday, coaching singers Brandy
and Monica, according to a person who was
at the event but was not authorized to
speak publicly about it. The person said
Houston looked disheveled, was sweating
profusely and liquor and cigarettes could be
smelled on her breath.
Two days ago, she performed at a pre-
Grammy party with singer Kelly Price.
The Rev. Al Sharpton said he would call for a
national prayer Sunday morning during a
service at Second Baptist Church in Los
Angeles.
"The morning of the Grammys, the world
should pause and pray for the memory of a
gifted songbird," Sharpton said in a written
statement.
In a statement, Recording Academy
President and CEO Neil Portnow said
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,"
Portnow said. "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."
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