Whitney Houston‘s death was caused by an accidental drowning in addition to heart disease and chronic cocaine use, according to Craig Harvey, Los Angeles County, California Coroner’s Chief of Operation.
“We are saddened to learn of the toxicology results, although we are glad to now have closure,” said Patricia Houston, Whitney’s closest confidant, manager, and sister-in-law.
The “Greatest Love Of All” singer was found unresponsive in the bathtub of her Beverly Hilton Hotel suite on February 11.
The preliminary report Thursday found heart disease had caused blockages in the 48-year-old’s arteries, common in drug users, however the determination could not be made if she indeed had a heart attack.
Atherosclerotic heart disease is a build-up of plaque that narrows the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart, according to the National Institutes of Health. While the results show approximately 60% narrowing in the arteries, there is no way to know how long Whitney had the disease.
“It’s possible she fell asleep,” says cardiologist Gina Lundberg, medical director of the Heart Center for Women at St. Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta. “Based on the fact that the coroner lists drowning first would suggest she was alive when she went under the water, so she didn’t have a heart attack first.”
Though speculation of a heart attack is circulating after the coroner’s report has been released, Harvey is clear in his findings.
“The final cause of death has been established as drowning due to atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use,” Harvey said.
The official report notes in the category “How Injury Occurred,” as the Grammy-awarded singer was “found submerged in bathtub filled with water; cocaine intake.”
The report also stated along with cocaine, metabolites were identified in Houston’s system and were contributory to her death. Marijuana, Xanax, flexeril (muscle relaxant) and diphenhydramine (benadryl) were also found but were not determined to have contributed to her death.
“Other drugs were identified in toxicology,” Harvey said. “However, their levels were at either a therapeutic or sub-therapeutic level; therefore, they are not believed to be contributory to the death.”
No trauma or foul play is suspected. The final coroner report is expected to be expected for release within two weeks.
What is interesting to note is now that the cause of the singer’s death has become public various tribes are busily trying to paint a picture they had no idea she was back on drugs (Cissy), that others are to blame (specifically Ray J- Whitney’s boyfriend) or that there may have indeed been other mystery players involved, which may or may not be true and which may or may not absolve parties close to home who should of have known or did know or just chose conveniently to step out of the way(or even participate?)….that plus the fact this may ultimately be a clever pr campaign to keep the legend alive?
Somebody needs to investigate Patricia Houston. She’s involved much more deeper than what she’s admitting to. Her behavior suggests she was in that room when Whitney died. Did she give her cocaine? She wasn’t out shopping. How about the bathtub.. Whitney didn’t take baths in hotels. How did she get there? I think Patricia knows the answers! She wasn’t out shopping! She manipulated Mary into going into the room to find Whitney. She already knew Whitney was dead!