Whitney Houston, the singer aged 48, has passed away.
In Los Angeles, musicians, many already present for the Grammys, have come together to pay their respects.
Houston, renowned for her hits like I Will Always Love You, was discovered deceased in her Beverly Hilton hotel room on Saturday, just hours ahead of a traditional pre-Grammys dinner organized by Clive Davis, the veteran producer who brought her to prominence.
Before her struggle with substance abuse became public, she sold more than 170 million records worldwide.
“She was one of the greatest singers I’ve ever heard,” veteran crooner Tony Bennett remarked on the red carpet at the Beverly Hills hotel, the location where Houston was found in her fourth-floor room.
A brief statement released by police confirmed her passing. “At 3:55pm, Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at the Beverly Hilton hotel,” stated police spokesman Mark Rosen.
After finding the singer on the floor of her room, a member of her entourage dialed 911.
Efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful; the exact cause of death remains unknown at this time.
“There were no apparent signs of criminal intent at this time, and the investigation is being conducted by the Beverly Hills police department,” the police spokesman added.
Reports indicate that Houston was expected to attend the dinner hosted by Davis on Saturday night, who had nurtured the young artist in her rise to fame, yielding a string of 11 number one hits during the 1980s and 90s.
As the news spread throughout the entertainment world, fans and celebrities alike took to Twitter to express their condolences, sharing their shock and sorrow.
“Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend…she will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices ever to grace the earth,” Mariah Carey expressed.
by Sel Hurst
