Houston's hometown funeral set for Saturday

ABC News: The stage is being set for what is expected be a massive public funeral for the pop titan. Overnight, the singer's remains arrived in her New Jersey hometown. Linsey Davis reports.

CTV National News: Cause of death unknown

The Los Angeles coroner said Monday that officials haven't determined the cause of death for singer Whitney Houston. Los Angeles Bureau Chief Tom Walters reports.

Extended: Coroner updates status of autopsy

Los Angeles County Coroner Assistant Chief Ed Winter says the rumour of prescription drugs being found in Houston's body did not come from the coroner's office and it would be much too soon to determine the cause of death.

Extended: Coroner Ed Winter on the death

A coroner says an investigation is underway on the death of Whitney Houston and an autopsy will be scheduled.

Extended: L.A. police confirm death of pop diva

A public information officer for the Beverly Hills police department confirms the death of pop star, Whitney Houston, to the media.

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The funeral services for the late singer Whitney Houston are set for New Hope Baptist Church, which is seen on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, in Newark, N.J. (AP / Julio Cortez)

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CTVNews.ca Staff

Date: Tue. Feb. 14 2012 9:47 PM ET

Whitney Houston will be laid to rest in the same New Jersey church where she honed her singing skills as a child.

Houston's body was flown by private jet from California to her native New Jersey on Monday, confirming speculation that she would be buried in the state where she was born and raised.

A gold hearse under heavy police escort took the body to the Whigham Funeral home just blocks from the New Hope Baptist church where her mother, the Grammy-winning gospel singer Cissy Houston, was music director for years.

On Tuesday, the funeral home's owner confirmed to The Associated Press that the late pop diva will be laid to rest in an invitation-only service at the church scheduled for noon on Saturday.

There had been speculation that a public memorial would also be held at Newark's Prudential Center, but Carolyn Whigham told AP that Houston's family has opted to keep things more private.

"They have shared her for 30 some years with the city, with the state, with the world. This is their time now for their farewell," Whigham said.

"The family thanks all the fans, the friends and the media, but this time is their private time."

Houston, 48, was found underwater and unconscious in a Beverly Hills hotel room bathtub on Saturday. She was pronounced dead a half-hour later.

After an autopsy Sunday, authorities said there was no evidence of foul play or trauma on Houston's body. The results of toxicology tests expected to establish the cause of death are not expected for weeks.

Given that Houston had struggled with substance abuse problems for years, there has been intense speculation surrounding the reported discovery of prescription medicine bottles in her room.

Los Angeles County coroner's assistant chief Ed Winter has downplayed their significance, however, telling reporters: "There weren't a lot of prescription bottles. You probably have just as many prescription bottles in your medicine cabinet."

Comments are now closed for this story

simone
said

What is wrong with all you negative and judgmental people. There has been no cause of her death as yet. When there is there should still be no judgement. We can all get lost in life and make mistakes .It is part of the human condition.I wish her family only peace.She was a beautiful singer and human being.Find your humanity people or you are truly the losers in life.

Rosa
said

No matter what caused her death, it is a tragedy. Whitney, you will always be loved by me and always be a part of my heart! Love, Rosa.

CanadianProud67
said

So many classless people on this topic. Whitney was an extremely talented singer with a golden voice. Yes, she had problems and tried to fix them. All the negative comments towards her are uncalled for. I certainly will miss Whitney Houston!

JBurey
said

@ What about Bob: But Bob, to say you're over your addiction is to say that you haven't recognized the true nature of what it means to be addicted. Addiction is a psychiatric illness like OCD or Schizophrenia, you can never 'get over it' but learn to live with it's manifestations and control the addictive behaviours you are having. Once an addict, always an addict.

horseman 221
said

play around with drugs and it will get you in the end. With all the money she had she could have got the best treatment in the world, if she really wanted to get it ..A great roll model indeed.

Dilys
said

I agree with her family let them say goodbye privately.

DK
said

Let's hope that Whitney's family makes the most of the media attention and speaks to the youth of our society regarding drug addiction.

deedee
said

What is so tragic about her dying? She has been on a downward spriral for years now...when she was in her "prime" she was a great performer. Not after years of drug abuse. And tell me this why did she not get herself help...not like she didn't know where to get it or couldn't afford it. I feel sorry for her daughter who had to live most of her life with a drug addicted mother.

Merle Terlesky
said

So sad that singers never learn the true danger of drug use. How many have died over the years? The list is so long!! A tragic end to a life gone so fast.

what about bob
said

I'm so sick of this "it's very hard to quit" bullcrap. I had an addiction for over 20 years. I am now over it, because I wanted to quit. Saying it's very hard to quit gives you a great reason to never try. Bad choices caused my addiction, and smart choices defeated it. Whitney Houston made some very bad choices during her short life. She will no go down in history as a great example of how not to live yourlife, famous or not!

MT
said

Lets not forget the rotten husband she had who never appreciated her talents or supported her for who she was. It's very hard to go against the wishes of your husband (ie drugs). She was not lucky in love. AND none of us are perfect. Lets show some compassion for a truly great one-of-a-kind artist.

MJ
said

So here we go again, another star struck down in the prime of their lives. Maybe just maybe if they would stay the" hell " away from drugs and booze they all might still be alive today. MJ, Amy Whinehouse, just to mention a few.Oh yes one more thing if these stars doctors would look after the stars health and not keep filling the doctors bank account this wouldn't happen!!!!!!!!!

Doug
said

Pretending to be full of sympathy for everyone who dies is definitely politically correct these days. but it provides no help to anyone.

All this 'compassion' is over and forgotten is a few days or weeks and has accomplished 'zero' except to make our children believe these people are hero's.

Better to remain silent as it has the same meaning ultimately and possibly will do no harm.

Alexis in Victoria
said

There were at least 4 people in her suite with her and one report I heard last night said there was always someone assigned to keep an eye on her! So where were any of these people the last hour of her life while she was alone in the bathroom? Should these people (enablers) not be charged with something for not only partying with but allowing a person who was well-known to be struggling for years with drug and alcohol addiction to be left alone with drugs and alcohol? And this goes not just for celebrities but for anyone who enables an addict to harm/kill themselves? Ultimately, it is the addict's responsibility for their life, but when other people prey on and enable their weakness, it should be addressed in the laws!

So Sad!
said

Another incredibly talented person lost. I don't think Whitney realized how loved she was worldwide. She was lost to drug addiction long before now. I hope her family can find peace in knowing how she touched so many of us and that she will never be forgotten.

Mark p
said

The less druggies in this world the better.

Dee in Calgary
said

Since everyone "assumes" that Whitney's death was drug related and most likely it was, would you feel the same if she had died in a car accident? The result would still be the same - she's gone. Let's just leave it at that.

Polly Gallimore
said

My heart goes out to the family of Whitney Houston I hope she rest in peace.I will Always Love You.

Doug
said

No bleeding hearts don't speak the truth about these 'role model' entertainers.

Let our children believe that these people are hero's because it is not politically correct to tell the truth any more.

They have all that is needed to prevent their addictions as do we all.

Who are the true hero's, the addicted or those who are not??

douglas
said

Whatever this artist's problems, whatever the circumstances of her death, she was someone's mother, she was someone's daughter. They have my sincere sympathy; it is sad whenever anyone with talent and potential dies so ignobly. However, it's unlikely there would have been this much attention had it happened a month after the Grammy's. The latest Heart and Stroke commercials say it well: Make Death Wait. Whatever you're doing, try to not contribute to your own demise.

JSb
said

My Heart goes out to her family, friends and fans. I know that addiction is a very hard habit to quit. I have suffered addiction problems for years on prescription Meds. It was not until rescently that I reached out for help and now recieving it. Addiction is not easy to quit there are withdraws from it. You get very nervous, shaky and sometimes can't control your body. Yes and sometimes you end up slipping and going back on the meds. This is such a waste of talent she should have gotten the help and stayed with a program and her support team could have helped her out. God Bless Her Soul. Before anyone judges her addiction please think twice, as mentioned sometimes it is very hard to quit.

RIP WHITNEY
"I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU"

RS
said

The consequences of addiction to drugs and alcohol does, in my view almost always leads to death or shortened life unless the individual takes positive measures to get themselves rehabilitated and WANTS to be rehabilitated.Nevertheless, Ms Houston's untimely death is very sad, I have read that she was a wonderful person and she delighted many of us with her amazing musical talent.

Bonnie
said

I feel for her daughter. She lost a Mom. Dont think there is a need for all the rude comments when a life has been lost.

Paul
said

Hey Average Guy...If you don't care, why are you here reading about it? Deep down inside, I believe you care enough and are hurting over the lost of a great and talented person. There is nothing wrong with that...just shows you have respect for life and respect for the dead. God bless you.

Annie
said

@ The Artful Codger Sorry, but someone choosing to kill themselves from addiction is not tragic (disease or not at the end of the day it is still a choice to be sober). A family killed in a car accident or a young cancer victim is tragic. Killing yourself slowly with drugs or alcohol and not caring enough about your child to get help is unfortunate but, to me, not tragic.

dave
said

artful codger > how can Average Guy be "so wrong" in stating that he doesn't care? seems to me you're quite arrogant to presume to know how others should feel about a singer they've never met. Personally, I hate her music. not my style, and my older sister used to listen to her ad nauseum when I when i was in jr High... if i never hear her again, it'll be too soon. Even if i was a fan, its not like she died in her prime. she destroyed her voice and career long ago... we all knew this was coming.

Brent
said

Unfortunately, my only memory of her was from my time spent working at Radio Shack in Red Deer, AB. The clothing store beside my store would play Whitney Houston at full blast, and only play certain songs repeatedly. Whenever I ever hear her voice I immediately reach for the off button on the radio.

HG
said

Calling somone a druggie isn't really fair...we need to be more educated and understand that addiction is an actual disease, same as any other disease. There is no cure but it is up to the sick person to reach out and get help. That being said, the reason everyone is putting Whitney on a pedastal is not because she is more important than the thousands of people that die everyday, she was a public figure as my generation was growing up and therefore a metafore that our youth is fading away. I grew up listening to her music and yes it makes me sad that she is gone; but I am just as sad when I hear on the news that people die of hunger, natural disasters, accidents, etc.

Angry Danny
said

I love the fact that 2 days prior people were making fun of her for looking completely messed up comming out of a party....then BOOM she's dead and now it's all "OH GOD what will we do without her???"
please.....isn't there more important thing out there??????

The Artful Codger
said

Hmmm seems to me.... Mr Average Guy, you are so wrong. Her appeal crossed generations. Her music was akin to listening experiences that people will remember forever. The tragedy of course is that she went so soon. I choose to leave it at that and celebrate the life that was Whitney Houston and look forward like others to sharing in these moments..

Gord
said

My guess it was an accident and the result of a mix of prescription meds and liquor. My question is if the prescription med is to calm nerves but is addictive and should not be prescribed to those who have addictive traits, then why was the prescription prescribed? The prescribing doctor would have known all of this and his/her patients history. Lessons learned.

Munro - Brampton
said

What the media is not talking about is how, although she was trying to get off illegal drugs like coccaine, doctors got her hooked on big pharma drugs like Xanax which can cause erratic behavior and suicidal tendencies. Some of these legal drugs can kill you even if you do not abuse them. Big Pharma hopes people do not pay too much attention to what killed her. Each year in the states thousands die from prescription drugs.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

@ dimitri: Given that she possessed extraordinary vocal talent used for commercial purposes (self-gain), and orchestrated a fairly disastrous personal life for herself that laid waste to her special gift and left her largely unable to sing her own hit songs, I'd be interested in knowing why she's your "hero," and what profound positive "impact" she had on your life. Doesn't she simply represent a human tragedy?

Too much TV
said

I like reading about the outpouring of emotion and heart wrenching sadness involving a person never met.

MJ, ON
said

Those singers and actors/actresses, what good is being rich when drugs have you so messed up and always under the public eye. I love my life.

Dean in Abby
said

I'm with average guy, enough already! Stop putting these people on pedestals. Yes, she was a talented performer. No more, no less. She was no more special than any other parent in my books so, let it go already.

roget
said

Let's continue to put this druggie on a pedestal. Because our children learn from our actions.

Average Guy
said

Enough already! I don't care!!!

dimitri
said

May the Lord our God open up heavens gates to you miss whitney thank you for being a hero to so many of us,the impact you had on my life can never be replaced by another.god bless your family and good luck with your performance in the sky,im sure you and mj will have a blast.... i will always love you .