R.I.P. Whitney Houston (1963-2012)

Whitney Houston has been found dead at the age of 48.

The singer’s publicist confirmed her death to Associated Press, saying the cause of her death was unknown.

Beverley Hills Police Lieutenant Mark Rosen is quoted as explaining Houston died in her room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton hotel yesterday (February 11th). Just two days ago she performed at a pre-Grammys party, while a source connected with tonight’s ceremony revealed she was at rehearsals on Thursday coaching Brandy and Monica. Houston was described as sweating profusely, with her breath smelling like liquor and cigarettes.

In recent years Houston battled drug addiction and a troubled marriage to Bobby Brown before her divorce in 2007. Releasing her self titled debut album in 1985, she starred in the 1992 film ‘The Bodyguard’ alongside Kevin Costner and featuring her cover of Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You’, which spent a prolonged period at the top of the UK Singles Chart. Houston sold more than 55 million records in her native US alone.