Hey! If you are fond of listening to music; I’m sure you have heard “I’ll Always Love You.” Do you remember this popular song of the 90s? Yeah! I mean I love this soulful song even today. And whenever I listen to it I can’t get over the melodious voice of Whitney Houston. The popular artist has given a lot of superhit songs. But, her unpredictable death shocked all her fans and lovers.
Whitney Elizabeth Houston’s death, the American singer and actress, also popularly known as “The Voice,” was a big shock to the entire world and the music industry. Surprisingly, it happened one night before the Grammy Awards. She died in the Beverly Hilton Hotel due to accidental drowning, and another reason was cocaine and prescription medication consumption, which was shown in the toxicology report. Here, I’ll highlight more details of her tragic death.
Some Surprising Facts About Whitney Houston’s Death
There are surprising facts that were found in the county coroner’s office report about how Houston died. And the more shocking element is that the initial and final reports were not exactly the same.
According to the toxicology report, it was not just cocaine use because it was not present at a level that the star could have overdosed and died. But, saying that it was also claimed from the report that she was a repeated cocaine user.
It was like anti-anxiety medication Xanax, heart disease, and cocaine were a perpetual happening in her life, nothing that could shoot up in a moment and lead to the singer’s death in the hotel room.
By reviewing the situation, Chief Coroner Craig Harvey made an assumption that there was water in her lungs. Another person from the coroner’s office, Ed Winter, suggested two possible scenarios for how she died. First, she passed out because of the cocaine and then drowned, and second, she had a heart attack and then drowned. Most probably, something like this or similar happened.
Dr. Lea McMahon LCP, EdD, Chief Clinical Officer, Symetria Recovery, talked to the Icy Whiz team on the toxicology report on Whitney Houston’s death. Here is what she said:
“The dichotomy of fame is that those who experience it are supposed to be living charmed, carefree lives.
If there is anything that stories of Hollywood tragedy tell us, those who may seemingly be on the top of the world with mind-blowing talent and ethereal beauty are just as vulnerable to substance abuse disorders as mere mortals.
On February 11, 2012, accomplished and undeniably talented Whitney Houston passed away from an accidental drowning while under the influence of illegal substances.
While her death was shocking in and of itself, the causes and contributing factors to her death caught many people off guard. It is reported that Whitney’s drug use began in her 20s as her career was taking off.
It is most likely her long-term drug use is what led to the common side effects of substance abuse: respiratory system damage, cardiac conditions, increased infections, internal (and irreparable) physical deterioration, and kidney and liver damage.
I believe all necessary biological systems are highly vulnerable to any kind of substance abuse, especially that which is long-term and unaddressed.
Whitney Houston’s autopsy reported she had heart disease upon death, and she also had cocaine in her system.
While these details are not what most people associate with such a beautiful talent that Whitney, as an addiction specialist, I do hope the world remembers her for her authentic talent and vibrant life and not the cause of her death and the addictions she suffered from.”
Whitney Houston’s Last Moments
On February 11, the day she died, Houston made her final public performance singing “Jesus Loves Me” with Kelly Price at a pre-Grammys party in Hollywood.
Houston was discovered in Suite 434 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, where she was found in her bathtub and wasn’t responsive.
Earlier in the day, at 3:15 p.m., Houston seemed okay when she spoke to her mother, Cissy Houston. But then the hotel security was called even before 4 pm because Whitney’s assistant said that she could not get a response from Whitney, who was then in a bathtub.
The police, who were already at the hotel for a pre-Grammy Awards party, arrived at her suite two minutes later and tried to do CPR to revive her, but sadly, she was declared dead.
Do You Know What Happened to Whitney’s Daughter
Bobbi Kristina Brown was the only child of the famous duo Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, who died in 2015 at the age of 22. What is the most surprising part of the whole incident is that Kristina died in a very similar manner to her mother, as if it was a Houston family tradition.
The autopsy report conducted for Kristine found that the major reason or cause for her death was again a combination of drug intoxication and death from drowning.
In her case, Kristina was found drowned in her own house’s bathroom by her husband, and a friend, who once found Kristina unresponsive, quickly called 911 and tried to retrieve her back by giving CPR.
Due to her severe condition, an ambulance was called; she was hospitalized then and even put into an induced coma. When this was revoked, she was not able to cope with the traumatic events happening in her body and was again sedated to see if she could recover. Her brain had been severely damaged.
Although she was surrounded by friends and family during those 6 months of suffering and even celebrated her 22nd birthday in the hospital bed, she could not be saved eventually and faced a demise, an untimely death just like her mother.
When the Icy Whiz team interviewed Dr. Ketan Parmar, MBBS, DPM – Psychiatry, MD, on the impact of Whitney Houston’s toxicology report and her relationship struggles with her daughter, he uncovered some lesser-known aspects. Here is what he had to say:
“The toxicology report revealing the substances involved in Whitney Houston’s death significantly shaped public discourse around her legacy. It drew attention to the often-overlooked reality of substance abuse among celebrities, highlighting the pressures of fame and the vulnerabilities of those in the spotlight.
The explicit details of the substances found in her system may have altered some fans’ perceptions, shifting the narrative from her accomplishments to her struggles with addiction.
This shift underscores the complex relationship between public figures and their private battles.
Whitney Houston’s Passing and Its Parallels with Her Daughter’s Tragedy
The tragic parallels between the deaths of Whitney Houston and her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, reflect a cycle of addiction and familial trauma. I believe that is not uncommon in families where substance abuse is prevalent. These incidents underscore the hereditary and environmental factors contributing to addiction.
The mirrored circumstances of their demise highlight the devastating impact of addiction on families, warning of the need for increased support and understanding for individuals struggling within such dynamics.
Anna Harris, Clinical Mental Health Counselor at OnlineMFTPrograms.com, shares her views on Whitney Houston and relationship dynamics in an interview with the Icy Whiz team. Here is what she said:
“We can’t make too many legitimate conclusions or claims about the connection between Houston’s and her daughter’s passing and what that means about the complexities of their family dynamic.
But, what I can say, as someone who works in the marriage and family therapy field, is that there are many ways in which children take after their parents.
Biological factors, of course, come into play here, with things like medical conditions, risks for certain addictions, and things of that nature often being passed from parent to child.
Beyond that, many behaviors by parents are seen and adopted by their children, whether both parties realize it or not.”
Such Demises Always Shock Everyone! However, Her Soulful Voice Will Last Forever
It was a very sad accident when Whitney Houston died as she was a very big star and was rising to new heights every day. Although being a child of two famous people has an impact, it was not nice. Kristina fell into her mother’s footsteps and followed the path of drugs and cocaine because it eventually led to her untimely death as well.
It has also been said that after Whitney died, there was not a backlash type of reaction from her husband. Indeed, he even said that she was trying very hard to stay sober and was very moved by her sudden passing away.
Guest Author: Saket Kumar
Last Updated on May 20, 2024 by Pragya
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