Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American recording artist, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, the Guinness World Records cited her as the most awarded female act of all time.Houston was one of the world’s best-selling music artists, having sold over 200 million records worldwide.She released six studio albums, one holiday album and three movie soundtrack albums, all of which have diamond, multi-platinum, platinum or gold certification. Houston’s crossover appeal on the popular music charts, as well as her prominence on MTV, starting with her video for “How Will I Know”, influenced several African American female artists to follow in her footsteps.
The coroner’s office also said the manner of death was an “accident.” However, the toxicology report adds that “Cocaine and metabolites were identified and were contributory to the death. Marijuana, Alprazolam (Xanax), Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) and Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) were identified but did not contribute to the death.” An autopsy was conducted the day after she died. Capt. John Kades of the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said at the time there was no indications of foul play and no obvious signs of trauma on Houston’s body. Prescription pill bottles were found in her room, but the number of pills were “not in alarming amounts,” said officials. The L.A. County Coroner’s office confirms that Whitney Houston used cocaine immediately before her death, leading to a “cardiac event,” “All traces of cocaine” were allegedly removed from Whitney Houston’s hotel room before authorities arrived at the scene.
