Whitney Houston Had Cocaine in Her System When She Died
Whitney Houston had cocaine in her body when she died on February 11, the L.A. County Coroner said Thursday.
Houston died of accidental drowning but heart disease and cocaine use were contributing factors to her death, the report states. Houston was found unresponsive in the bathtub of the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles the night before the Grammy Awards.
Coroner assistant chief Ed Winter told People there are two likely scenarios that could have led to Houston's death.
"She could've passed out first due to the intoxication from the cocaine, or she could've had a heart attack and then drowned," Winter said. "It's probably one of those two scenarios."
Houston's family issued a statement after the results were released.
"We are saddened to learn of the toxicology results, although we are glad to now have closure," said Patricia Houston, the singer's manager and sister in law in a released statement.
In addition, Houston's body also contained traces of marijuana and the anxiety medication Xanax, Flexeril and Benadryl. Those drugs were not considered to have contributed to her death.
