Gossip: Whitney Houston
Houston died from drowning, but drugs were found in her body, as well as evidence of heart disease.
Whitney Houston died from drowning, but drugs were a contributing factor in her death, said the L.A. coroners office last week. Houston’s official cause of death was accidental drowning, but cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs were found in her body, as well as evidence of heart disease. “The level of cocaine was not a lethal level,” chief coroner Craig Harvey told People.com. “But her death was complicated by chronic cocaine use and heart disease.” Assistant coroner Ed Winter said that the singer, 48, “could’ve passed out first” because of intoxication, or may have “had a heart attack and then drowned.” A complete autopsy report is due in a few weeks.
A free daily email with the day’s biggest news and analysis – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.