Disturbing Details Found In Whitney Houston's Autopsy Report

Publish date: 2024-05-02

Whitney Houston's sudden death was sad and shocking, and speculation was rampant due to her known substance abuse issues and her relatively young age. Still, how did she end up facedown in a bathtub? Eventually, the medical examiner would release his findings, which were something like the perfect storm — a three-fold reason for her death. 

The Los Angeles coroner report said Houston's death was caused by "drowning due to effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use." Though the drowning seemed to have been brought on by a heart incident, Houston's death was ruled an accident. According to the report, investigators initially found various signs of drug use around Houston's hotel room, including white powdery substances, a rolled-up piece of paper, a spoon with a "crystal-like substance" on it, lots of prescription bottles, loose capsules, and blister packs of pills. There was also an open bottle of champagne and a couple of beers laying around, as well as an ashtray full of cigarette butts. 

Toxicology results found several substances in Houston's system: cocaine, the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam (Xanax), the muscle relaxer Flexeril, Benadryl, marijuana, and cocaethylene, which is a substance created in the liver from combining alcohol with cocaine, according to American Addiction Centers. Benzoylecgonine was also found in Houston's toxicology report, which is the "major metabolite of cocaine," per the National Library of Medicine.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

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