Whitney Houston coroner's report details drug signs, liquor, drowning

Whitney Houston speaks during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles.

/ Kevin Winter

(CBS/AP) The latest coroner's report paints a picture of the hotel room where Whitney Houston died, detailing her final hours. The Beverly Hilton hotel room contained something tragically familiar for the singer: signs of cocaine and its paraphernalia.

Complete Coverage: Death of pop diva
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Read more: Houston's autopsy: White powder, spoon, rolled paper found in room

The drug was found throughout Houston's body, according to an autopsy report released Wednesday that gave the most detailed account yet of how the Grammy-winning singer died just hours before she was to appear at a pre-Grammy Awards party.

By the time an assistant found her face down in a bathtub on the afternoon of Feb. 11, Houston had likely been dead for at least an hour. The water was so hot it scalded part of her body. The bathroom floor was flooded, and the bedroom carpet was soaked with water, according to the report.

Nearby, on the bathroom counter, investigators found a small spoon described by investigators as having a "crystal like substance" in it and in a drawer they discovered a white powdery substance. The dozen prescription drug bottles found in Houston's suite of the Beverly Hilton Hotel led investigators to initially suspect she died of an overdose, but after further examination and toxicology results, they concluded she drowned accidentally. Heart disease, which caused a 60 percent blockage in one of her arteries, and cocaine use were listed as contributing factors.

Investigators found an open bottle of champagne on the mini-bar and an open can of beer on a table, along with several loose tablets and a bottle of supplements. According to the report, officials found a "plethora of prescription medication bottles."

Houston was found wearing a brown wig at the time of her death. She also had dental implants. Her body was described as "well built, muscular and fairly well nourished."

Toxicology results also showed Houston had marijuana, Xanax, the muscle relaxant Flexeril, and the allergy medication Benadryl in her system, but none are considered factors in her death.

The grim accounting of the room where Houston died and what investigators found provide a sad footnote to the singer's life, showing the impact drugs took on her. An investigator noted a hole in the singer's nose, listed under "history of substance abuse."

Houston, 48, had a sore throat and her assistant suggested she take a bath to get ready for the Clive Davis' pre-Grammy bash. The assistant left to pick up some items at a department store and by the time she returned, Houston was submerged in the tub, which was overflowing and had soaked the carpet in another room.

Efforts were made to revive the Houston, including using a defibrillator, according to the report.

Coroner's officials declined to discuss details in the report, including whether toxicology results showing the level of cocaine in Houston's body could be used to determine how recently she took the drug. The office has said there were signs of recent and chronic use by the singer.

Beverly Hills police have been awaiting the report before closing the case, although the agency has said there are no signs of foul play in Houston's death.

The singer had battled addiction for years, but friends and family have said she appeared committed to making a comeback in the months before her death.

Houston will be seen in the new movie, "Sparkle," due out later this year.

A trailer released Monday featured Houston prominently in her role as the matriarch of a family of girls who form a singing group and struggle with fame and addiction.

Read the full coroner's report here.

[oliviablosser]

It is no secret that Whitney's life changed over the last years. Hasn't yours? I know mine has. I know Whitney made mistakes. Haven't we all? I know I have. The things that remain is Whitney Loved Her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, She love her daughter and she loved her mother. In addition, she sang with passion and conviction everytime I heard her sing. She was under the spot light whether she wanted to be or not. I dare say she didn't mind being in the public eye while she was singing. That was her job, and she loved the world and wanted to entertain and uplift everyone who would listen. Anyone who thinks or believes that a public figure should be under the spot light 24/7 is just wrong. What if your job wanted a camera on you 24/7 for you to be an employee of theirs. Don't you think they would find you in a less than perfect light. That would be true of EVERY single one of us. Jesus Himself did not condemn the ***** caught in the very act with some holier than thou brought her before Him condemning her to be stoned to death. They were prepared with stones in hand!!! Jesus said, "those of you without sin cast the FIRST stone." Before they knew it EVERY accuser dropped their stone and left. Jesus stood her up on her feet and said, "woman where are your accusers?" I can only imagine full of FEAR, and shame, she barely raised her head looking through her scattered hair and said,"there are none." Jesus said neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more." Whitney was not perfect but neither is anyone one else besides Jesus!!!! Let Whitney finally be at peace and rest. She blessed us and her music and voice lives on. If she didn't bless you I dare say you have not listened to her music. What she possessed could ONLY be a gift from God. He shared her with the world and now she is His alone. Nobody could have saved her or changed her going home, it was her time and what God does no one can undo or change. Please let her rest in peace and Let her family grieve and live each day without being afraid to view the magazine rack by the check out counter in grocery stores, or open the newspaper, turn the t.v. or computer on. They are people, humans, they hurt and grieve like we do when we lose someone we dearly love. They need and deserver their privacy just as any human does.

[rscobbie]

God bless you Olivia. Since Whitney's passing, I have spent countless hours watching most of her performances during her tenure and the woman's voice and passion left me with chills. Whitney's greatest gift to the world was her collections filled with professionalism as she graced the stage. These ongoing emphasis on the last days of her life are killing her family. Not to mention how inaccurate all of it is. For example, the media noted Whitney had consumed alcohol, while another article states there was no alcohol in her system. Journalism must maintain accuracy with ethical, social, and moral values. So far all I've read is countless stones of a woman that gave her all and it still was not enough. Fortunately, is was for God. He saw her pain and suffering and finally put a stop to it. Thank you for taking the time to write such a heartfelt and endearing piece on Whitney Elizabeth (Nippy) Houston. Rest assured, I will remember her in the right way.

[Bixch]

Once again the idea of our collective hero being an innocent victim of her inner demons goes only so far, even until this very last moment, she couldn't resist the temptations to go out with what appears to be her preferred dislocation from reality of choice- crack cocaine. How ironic that an artist that displaces us and enlightens us with their work displaces themselves with the burden of their work and soul...

http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2012/04/new-evidence-suggests-whitney-houston-died-smoking-crack-before-drowning/

[rocmax]

I'd like to reply to this comment because in so many levels there is both truth and deception. Truth in that she did what she did, but deception to us who have never experienced the chains that drugs can have on you. It is not easy to get off; its a constant battle. I say truth because somewhere in the cross roads of her life she made a decision, a mistake to even entertain using drugs. And some will argue that fame and fortune come with a heavy price....for those famous and fortunte people that dont do drugs; hurray for them. Because the pressures of this style of life is like not really having your own life....I am praying real hard that if Cissy Houston should feel that she failed her daughter in any way; that she has a second chance with her daughters most pecious jewel Bobbi Christina. And that Cissy will make it her business to be in that girls business no matter what her age. We are talking life here, the quality of life and with this experience it should be a teacher of what life you choose, what avenue to take what path is right.

[rocmax]

I'd like to reply to this comment because in so many levels there is both truth and deception. Truth in that she did what she did, but deception to us who have never experienced the chains that drugs can have on you. It is not easy to get off; its a constant battle. I say truth because somewhere in the cross roads of her life she made a decision, a mistake to even entertain using drugs. And some will argue that fame and fortune come with a heavy price....for those famous and fortunte people that dont do drugs; hurray for them. Because the pressures of this style of life is like not really having your own life....I am praying real hard that if Cissy Houston should feel that she failed her daughter in any way; that she has a second chance with her daughters most pecious jewel Bobbi Christina. And that Cissy will make it her business to be in that girls business no matter what her age. We are talking life here, the quality of life and with this experience it should be a teacher of what life you choose, what avenue to take what path is right.

[Frankkster]

As I read this latest news about Whitney, I thought about Heath Ledger and Amy Winehouse. Together, they inspired this blog: http://******/wQvHLA

[credibility2]

The singer chose her "friends" to accompany her into death. Waste of precious talent and life. She cared more about drugs and alcohol than her family, friends and fans.