Coroner: Houston drowned after cocaine use
Whitney Houston performs at the O2 Arena on April 25, 2010, in London.
March 22nd, 2012
05:24 PM ET

Coroner: Houston drowned after cocaine use

Whitney Houston died from an accidental drowning in a hotel bathtub, but the "effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use" were contributing factors in her death, the Los Angeles County Coroner said in an autopsy report released Thursday.

Houston, 48, was "found submerged in bathtub filled with water" and "no trauma or foul play is suspected," the coroner said.

The toxicology tests found other drugs in her body, including marijuana, the anti-anxiety drug Xanax, the muscle relaxant Flexeril and the allergy medicine Benadryl, the report said. But these drugs "did not contribute to the death," it said.

The final coroner report is expected to be made public within two weeks, the coroner said.

Houston died February 11 in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, the day before the music industry gathered for the annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

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Filed under: California • Celebrity • Showbiz • Whitney Houston
soundoff (466 Responses)
  1. Watchdog

    The article alludes that the coroner is implying that the cocaine and the heart disease caused a fatal arrhythmia that caused her to pass out and drown, but nothing specially states the basis for that determination. Meanwhile, this article overlooks the fact that Xanax, Benadryl, Flexeril and marijuana have relaxing and sedating properties They can make you sleepy enough to pass out in a bathtub and drown yourself. Unless those were in miniscule amounts, I don't see how he can say they were noncontributory. Come on, CNN. Ask the hard questions about concentration levels or report more accurately than this.

    March 22, 2012 at 6:26 pm | Report abuse |
  2. GoneIn6

    watchdog!!!
    Best post in this thread all day!!!
    *highfive*

    March 22, 2012 at 6:27 pm | Report abuse |
  3. ClassicandTimeless

    It is quite sad to know that "The Voice" also known as Whitney Houston has gone on to glory, but it hardens my heart to hear or respect anything that Don Lemon has to say. I would first like to say that we all knew some form of a drug, whether legal or illegal may have been the death of Whitney, and today that was confirmed. But Mr. Lemon you made it worse. For family, friends and fans who are still grieving over this great loss, the only thing you can fathom to say is that this is a "wake up call" for the black community. Death by the use of drugs is a wake up call for ANY COMMUNITY, not just black ones. Abuse of drugs, both legal and illegal penetrate through all neighborhoods, the slums, and the suburbs, so before you go back on air thinking that you are doing an excellent job as an anchorman for CNN, check your cue cards, and make sure that your inappropriate and borderline uneducated comments are not offending anyone. I'm an educated person and I took offense to the comment. No need for apologies, you showed us just how much of a great anchorman you were when the story first hit the news, already assuming that it was due to drug use. With or without you Whitney's legacy will live on! I'm sure your comments were a "wake up call" for the black community as well (thanks brother).

    March 22, 2012 at 6:27 pm | Report abuse |
  4. jonavark

    so.. john and ken were right.

    March 22, 2012 at 6:28 pm | Report abuse |
  5. deon

    I could have told you that weeks ago. saved you a few bucks too.

    March 22, 2012 at 6:28 pm | Report abuse |
  6. GoneIn6

    Bonnie: re- your 6:23 post- there are often some changes between the preliminary autopsy and the final findings.
    that's why they are "preliminary"

    March 22, 2012 at 6:29 pm | Report abuse |
  7. james gordon

    When ever you think America has matured , or that we are a great nation with caring people , When someone say we or a country that stands for God ....just read some of the statements here , Half the men in this country still drag their knuckles on the cement when they walk , Lucky for us God will sort them out , and we wont have to share heaven with them .

    March 22, 2012 at 6:30 pm | Report abuse |
  8. GoneIn6

    ClassicAndTImeless- Thanks. The middle class white population is just as in need of that message, I assure you, and I support you in your call to arms. We ALL need to hear those words. America needs those words.

    March 22, 2012 at 6:31 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Leslie

    We could have told them that. Would have been a lot cheaper.

    March 22, 2012 at 6:33 pm | Report abuse |
  10. alex dihes

    MY REGRET IS HUGE! MY REGRET IS ONLY ONE – WHY THIS GORILLA DID NOT DIE EARLIER. MUCH EARLIER.
    I LOVE MARIA CALLAS!

    March 22, 2012 at 6:33 pm | Report abuse |
    • Jessie

      You are such a loser.

      March 22, 2012 at 6:39 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Krimea River

    WARNING: DO NOT MIX COCAINE AND BATH WATER...LETHAL COMBINATION!... Just stay stanky while doing drugs!!!

    March 22, 2012 at 6:34 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Jessie

    Whitney Houston was not a Saint;however, she was a famous person and this is why it is plastered all over the place. If you are a common person no one really knows or cares. We knew her better than she knew us. Her music left a profound effect on some fans. Who are we to judge because she was famous. Drug addiction is a people desease,it has nothing to do with fame. How wouldyou treat a loved one that was addicted? Stop judging andget on with it.

    March 22, 2012 at 6:35 pm | Report abuse |
  13. GoneIn6

    James gordon:
    Thank you. I like this perspective, not just for the rich and famous, but for the poor "crack ho's" so declaimed by default by many of the comments of this board.

    "If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we've got to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that he commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it." ~ Stephen Colbert

    March 22, 2012 at 6:35 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Tracy

    Amen! rest in peach Whitney!

    March 22, 2012 at 6:36 pm | Report abuse |
  15. Christopherallen

    The list of drugs not found in her body would be shorter. She was lit!

    March 22, 2012 at 6:38 pm | Report abuse |
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