Whitney Houston's Cause of Death Leads to Prescription Pills Probe
Whitney Houston's doctors will reportedly face questioning over the bevy of prescription pills found in the late pop legend's Beverly Hilton hotel room Saturday.
Houston, 48, was discovered unconscious in the bathtub surrounded by bottles of medication that, according to the Daily Mail, included: ibuprofen, anti-anxiety drug Xanax, Midol, and amoxicillin for bacterial infections.
UK publication the Mirror writes that up to nine doctors could be investigated – starting with Beverly Hills' Mickey Fine Pharmacy & Grill, which had also supplied Michael Jackson's medication for years.
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Houston's family was allegedly told by Los Angeles County Coroner officials that the cause of the star's death was the medication and alcohol mix – not drowning, TMZ reported.
Regardless, the cause of death has not been officially revealed. County coroners are planning to request copies of the New Jersey native's medical records, so as to compare them with the pill bottles found in her Hilton hotel room, a source told The Sun.
"[Authorities] need to determine that no one is criminally negligent. There still could be charges in this case," the source reportedly said. If officers discover that Houston was given the drugs illegally, the perpetrators will be charged.
Houston's body was released to her family Monday and flown back to her birthplace – Newark, N.J. A private funeral for friends and family will be held Saturday at the church where Whitney's singing talents were first showcased. According to the Chicago Tribune, the service will be held at noon at the New Hope Baptist Church, Carolyn Whigham, owner of Whigham Funeral Home, said.
The decision to bury Houston in Newark has raised some family tension, as Whitney's mother Cissy and cousin Dionne Warwick want her to be buried in Atlanta. The two believe that this was the place the 48-year-old loved best. However, the rest of Houston's family wants to see her laid to rest in Newark.
It is speculated that her body will be buried next to her father John Houston in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, N.J. John, an army serviceman and entertainment executive, died in 2003.
One of music's greats, Houston was pronounced dead Saturday at 3:55 p.m. PST. According to Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen, officers received the 911 call from Hilton security at 3:43 p.m. on Feb. 11.
He revealed that paramedics, who were already at the hotel because of a 2012 Grammy Awards party, unsuccessfully tried to revive Houston.
The world has since mourned the loss of Houston – with fans and celebrities alike expressing their sadness and condolences for the family.
"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Whitney. This is an unimaginable tragedy and we will miss her terribly," the Houston family told Us Weekly in a statement Sunday.
WATCH VIDEO FOR EXPLANATION OF WHITNEY HOUSTON AND HER DOCTOR'S DRUG INVESTIGATION
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON'S HIT "I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU" HERE
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON'S HIT "THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL" HERE
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON'S HIT "I'M EVERY WOMAN" HERE
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON'S HIT "I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY" HERE
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON'S HIT "IT'S NOT RIGHT BUT IT'S OK" HERE
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON'S FINAL PERFORMANCE BEFORE DEATH
SEE VIDEO OF WHITNEY HOUSTON & BOBBI KRISTINA BROWN PERFORMING "MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE"
SEE VIDEO OF LL COOL J'S PRAYER FOR WHITNEY HOUSTON ON GRAMMYS 2012
