Whitney Houston's Death Leads to 'Bobby Brown Dead' Rumors
Rumors emerged on the Internet Tuesday, just days after Whitney Houston's death, that former husband Bobby Brown had committed suicide and was found dead at home. The rumors have been proven false, as Brown has been at the side of a distraught Bobbi Kristina, he and Houston's 18-year-old daughter.
It was not immediately clear how the rumor began, but Brown, who married Houston in 1992 reportedly took news of his former wife's death extremely hard. After hearing of Houston's death while on the road with New Edition, the R&B singer released a statement asking for privacy for his family. He reportedly later broke down in tears during a performance with New Edition, dedicating the show to Houston.
"I love you, Whitney," Brown reportedly said before the performance. "The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage."
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He said later in a statement obtained by MTV News: "I am deeply saddened at the passing of my ex-wife, Whitney Houston. At this time, we ask for privacy, especially for my daughter, Bobbi Kristina. I appreciate all of the condolences that have been directed towards my family and I at this most difficult time."
When Brown made his return the California, landing at the Los Angeles International Airport with fiance Alicia Etheridge, photographers and membes of the press hounded the star, as seen in the video below (may contain mature language):
The rumors circulating, mostly on Twitter, appear to have started the same day news broke of Houston being found dead in her hotel room at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. As of Tuesday morning, the rumors, continue with various Twitter users retweeting the claims.
Tony Pulis tweeted: "Hearing rumours Bobby Brown has now been found dead. Apparently a suicide note was found: 'Two can play that game.'"
Another user tweeted a similar claim, writing: "Bobby brown was found dead in his home possibly an overdose."
Other users, however, appeared to find the rumors strange.
"Sooo umm why is bobby brown dead poppin up on Bing," questioned a user named "FlackoChopaRocka."
In the meantime, it has also been reported that Ray J, who had an on-and-off relationship with Houston after her divorce from Brown in 2007, was taking news of the pop legend's death to heart as well. He reportedly rushed to the Beverly Hilton upon learning of Houston's death, but was turned away by investigators.
Reports indicate that Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, was turned away as well from the singer's hotel room, where she had been found submerged in water. The teen was reportedly so distraught over her mother's sudden death, she had to be admitted to the hospital twice over the weekend.
Brown released a statement to the press clarifying Bobbi Kristina's condition.
"My daughter did visit with doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles," Brown said confirmed. "She has been released and is presently with my family, including her siblings."
Although the Beverly Hills Police Department have yet to reveal any information on Houston's cause of death, reports have been circulating that the 48-year-old died from a mix of prescription drugs and alcohol. Investigators were reportedly turning their attention to several doctors after numerous bottles of prescription pills were found in Houston's hotel room on the day of her death.
It was also revealed Tuesday that movie producer Tyler Perry was responsible for flying Houston's body back to Newark, N.J., where the singing sensation was born. A funeral for the singer will be held this Saturday, Feb. 18 – but her mother, Cissy Houston, is not pleased with the arrangements, according to numerous reports.
The funeral will be for family and friends and is reportedly invitation-only, as opposed to a public service at the Prudential Center sports arena where her family are said to have first considered.
Instead, Houston's funeral service will be held at noon ET at New Hope Baptist Church, where the singer got her start in the choir her mother directed. Houston might also be buried at Fairview Cemetary in Westfield, N.J., another point of consternation for Cissy Houston and Dionne Warwick, Houston's cousin. The pair claim Whitney Houston preferred the city of Atlanta, yet other family members want her place of rest to be Newark, The Associated Press reports.
Houston's father, John Houston is buried at Fairview Cemetery, which leads observers to suspect that the site will be the pop legend's resting place as well.
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
