The Latest On How Whitney Houston Died: Surprise! It’s Drugs

[Ed. Note: This has to be the most awkward set of file photos to be released in the wake of Whitney's death, so of course we ran them. In a way, it's what Whitney would've wanted. Mostly because she drank a lot. - SW]
Despite early reports suggesting an accidental drowning, TMZ reports Whitney Houston‘s family have been officially informed the cause of death is drug and alcohol related which, let’s be honest, probably isn’t going to cause any of them to clutch their pearls except maybe Dionne who should’ve seen it coming:

Whitney Houston’s family was told by L.A. County Coroner officials … the singer did not die from drowning, but rather from what appears to be a combination of Xanax and other prescription drugs mixed with alcohol … this according to family sources.
We’re told Coroner’s officials informed the family there was not enough water in Whitney’s lungs to lead to the conclusion that she drowned.
Our sources say the family was told Whitney may well have died before her head became submerged.

So now that drowning’s been ruled out, I guess we can let Aquaman off the hook even though he’s still a gill-faced junkie whose half-porpoise son cries each night for a father that’s never home. In the meantime, probably my favorite Whitney story of the past 24 hours, has to be LA Times reporter Gerrick Kennedy who went on TODAY this morning and tried to act like he noticed something “off” about Whitney hours before her death. Via Mediaite:
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The film, in which she plays the mother of showbiz sisters, could have marked a big-screen comeback for the star who achieved overnight success in 1992's "The Bodyguard."

Whitney Houston, who died Saturday at the Beverly Hilton, will make one final appearance on the big screen when Sony Pictures releases Sparkle on Aug. 17.
Like all those who knew and loved her, we are shocked and saddened and the world has lost an incomparable talent. Right now our thoughts are with her daughter, her family and her friends," spokesman Steve Elzer said on behalf of the studio.
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In the film, which Sony will release Aug. 17, the performer takes center stage for a big gospel number.

Whitney Houston's final film performance in the upcoming feature Sparkle "would have been a big, big comeback, she is so brilliant in it," Howard Rosenman, an executive producer on the film said Saturday in the wake of the performer's death.
Rosenman, who also provided the story for the original 1976 Sparkle, about the rise of an all-girl singing group loosely inspired by the Supremes, had seen a rough cut of the new feature, starring Jordin Sparks, on Friday night. "I was just raving about [Whitney's] performance, she was so great in it. I'm just in shock," he said.
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Whitney Houston’s Dead (1963 – 2012)1963

Whitney Houston looked like this Thursday night, so you’ll probably be surprised to learn she mysteriously died this afternoon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. TMZ reports:

Whitney Houston died this afternoon … a rep for the singer told the Associated Press.
According to our sources, Houston died at the Beverly Hilton hotel. A police crime lab vehicle was seen outside the hotel just moments ago.
So far, the details surround Houstin’s death are unclear. The singer famously battled drug addiction for years.

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Glee: Whitney Houston Song Performance This Week

Dianna Agron wears a cute double breasted coat as she leaves a hotel on Saturday (February 11) in Hollywood.
The 25-year-old Glee actress shared a photo she’d taken earlier in the week of her copy of the Bodyguard soundtrack, writing, “Literally took this Thursday at work. Thought it was clever, random. I AM a fan…now she is gone. Etta & Whitney. RIP”
Glee will be paying tribute to Whitney in Tuesday’s episode, “Heart” – Amber Riley will be performing “I Will Always Love You”.

Whitney Houston, superstar of records, films, dies

Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen said Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. Saturday in her room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton. A Los Angeles County coroner's official said early Sunday that her body had been taken to a morgue.
"There were no obvious signs of any criminal intent," Rosen said.
Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, said the cause of death was unknown.