Bobby Brown at Whitney Houston funeral but does not stay

Bobby Brown, left, stands outside prior to the funeral services for Whitney Houston at the New Hope Baptist Church on Feb. 18, 2012, in Newark, N.J.

/ Bennett Raglin

NEWARK, N.J. (CBS/AP) Yes, Whitney Houston's ex-husband, singer Bobby Brown, was at the funeral. But no, he didn't stay.

Complete Coverage: Death of a pop diva

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Brown arrived as the service began. He walked to the casket, touched it and walked to the back of the New Jersey church Saturday, the AP is reporting.

Security guards were saying Brown would be seated but the nine-person entourage that accompanied him were led to seats elsewhere. Instead, Brown left and appeared upset.

The Newark Star-Ledger is quoting a person familiar with the situation in reporting that Brown wanted his entourage to sit with him in the family section.

Speculation on whether Brown would be at the funeral has been bubbling all week, with some reports claiming the family did not want him there. A publicist later said he had been invited. Brown is scheduled to perform tonight at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, Conn.

"They were asked to leave," the person said, referring to the entourage. Brown was not asked to leave, but "he left with the other people," according to the person, who was not at liberty to discuss the situation publicly.

Houston died Feb. 11. A cause of death hasn't been determined.

Houston and Brown were married 15 years and have one daughter, Bobbi Kristina. In 2003, police responding to a domestic violence call about Brown found Houston with a cut lip and bruised cheek. Their tumultuous relationship ended with a 2007 divorce.

[dresia]

I'm not happy about the life style Bobby and Whitney lead while she dated and was married to him. Had he been a Godly man for Whitney, this would never have happened. The Bible reads, if you love me, then you will obey my commandments. People are quick to say they love the Lord and live for the Lord, but a life style like this, is not pleasing in God's eyes and it ALWAYS, ALWAYS has it's conseqences down the road.

[AmericanMe1]

Brown is an idiot and punk who needs an entourage like he is somebody important. If he couldn't go to the church by himself to pay his respects he should have never went in the first place.
Total loser and jackass.

[DogBoyeee]

To leave or stay....His Perogative LMFAO

[Marquessa81]

Maybe she did, but as a loving husband and father he failed to save either his former wife while married, and beat her, or the child they had. All this was to him was a publicity stunt. Otherwise, he would have come alone or with their child.

[johnquincy4]

I don't know why, but it bothers me that bobby brought his fiance. No one could hold a candle to Whitney Houston... not in grace, not in beauty and not in depth. Bobby should have done right by her, she gave so much love in her gift to the world and she deserved it back. We need to listen to jesus folks, second marriages in most cases constitute adultery- read the new testament- this was taught by god, jesus and the apostles. We obey god, not man. Second, physical relations outside a single marriage are also not of gods will. I wished so much Whitney could have met a man of god , but it was not meant to be . I pray that the lord guide little bobbi Kristina in all of her steps, and lead her away from darkness so that she live for his purpose for her life.

[dresia]

Yes Johnquincy4, you hit the nail right on the head. Right on Johnquincy4. I feel the same way you do. When someone leads a life of drugs, drinking, sexual immorality, etc that's not pleasing in the eyes of the Lord, sure he'll forgive you, but there are major conseqences in the end. Both Bobby and Whitney should not have even looked at drugs. Once addiction sets in, it's there for life and one needs major help to get out of it. I blame Whitney's friends too, they should have been more supportive of her drug and drinking issues instead of partying along with her. If I had been Whitney's friend, I would have in every way possible, stopped her even if it meant living with her or coming to her home with out notice. But now, she's gone, and gone too soon.

[cattiej]

Brown and his group need to be shunned...I wouldn't pay to see this guy perform anything..anytime,...anywhere. He indeed wanted to make this funeral about "him" and that is why he showed up as the funeral was starting. He was told "he" could stay but his hangers on could move to the back or somewhere else in the church..what a bunch of hipocrites they all are..I am glad they left...Brown ain't nothin! but a bum.. We need to spread the word to boycott shun him and boycott his shows...I think Brown got Whitney on drugs because she was more talented than he and he just couldn't stand it...it was all the attention on him....may he rot in......

[erasmus111]

Whitney did drugs before Bobby Brown.

[rguillory747]

God Bless Whitney Houston - We love you forever... Now as for Bobbie who showed up to give his respects to his ex-wife with his children not an entourage like the media tried to spin it. That's like calling the victims of Katrina refuges... This is so sad on so many levels because in honoring Whitney while speaking of the grace, elegance, class, and love she showed people unconditionally, the very people who played a part in developing that character had an opportunity to show people who God is during a world attendance. Just another example of how "religion" and "the church" is making a mockery of itself and the devil continues to get victory during these times. I believe the most powerful thing the church could have done as well as the women who reared this wonderful human being would have made room for Bobbie right by his daughter's side with all her brothers and sisters she was raised with. That would have been "taking the world to church" and showing us all how powerful the love of God truly is. Don't just talks about it be about it.

[kelaltieri]

You know, Bobby may have introduced Whitney to drugs but, he didn't force her to use them OR abuse them. And in the end, she loved him and with him, gave her family Bobbi Kristina. Her family should have at least respected that much and let him stay during her service. He wasn't even able to see her, for God's sake. His heart is breaking over this loss too and people seem to forget that.

[journe4us]

It was good Bobby Brown wanted to go to funeral and good he showed Whitney the respect by touching her casket. Also good that he left shortly thereafter. Perhaps, he wanted his 9 person entourage with him, in case he got assaulted?

He was real WRONG bring his current wife to the funeral, which showed total lack of respect for Whitney, Family and most of all his Daughter! No funeral needs to be disrupted by others, so good he went, but better he left quickly. They still had 15 years of marriage and divorcing was very tough on Whitney. Though divorcing, one can still keep love feelings for the good times.
Bobby, you still showed total lack of care bringing another wife and all those people. You did right thing by showing up though and then leaving right away. It was a memorable love funeral for Whitney and thats the way it should be.

[mariannpepit]

There was nothing wrong in bringing his current wife to the funeral and his crew as they are performing tonight and have to rehearse. His daughter wanted him there and he would have stayed but not without his crew and I think the inlaws did not want him there to begin with. They could have found seats somewhere for them. After all, Whitney and Bobby were married for 15 years and the daughter has the right to have her father there.

[unklwally]

Magik---You are so right! Bobby- tacky to the T. Tryin to make it all about him. Brings the new wife and the Dope Slinging Brother...Atlas Shrugged and Narcississ Laughed --Hmm--lucky he didn't get rode out on a rail. I pray Miss Cissy shields her grandbaby from his treacherous grasp, and the MEDIA leaves BobbyKristina alone!