Whitney Houston has passed away, her publicist has said.
Reuters reports that Kristen Foster has confirmed that the singer died in Los Angeles on Saturday (February 11).
"Unfortunately, it is true," her spokesperson is quoted as saying. No further details have been officially announced.
Early reports suggest that Houston was found in her room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton hotel, where she was believed to be getting ready to attend Clive Davis's pre-Grammy gala in Los Angeles tonight. It has been claimed that the annual bash has been cancelled.
TMZ sources said that paramedics performed CPR, but she was pronounced dead at 3.55pm EST. Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen has said that there are "no obvious signs of criminal intent", adding that an investigation into the cause of death has begun
A source close to Davis, who launched Houston's career at Arista Records, told The Hollywood Reporter: "This is a sad day and it will be a sad Grammys weekend."
Houston, who starred alongside Kevin Costner in The Bodyguard, was regarded by her peers and fans as the voice of a generation. Reacting to the news, Mariah Carey tweeted: "Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney's family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth."
The New Jersey-born singer, who had battled with drug and alcohol addiction,, ended her 14-year marriage to singer Bobby Brown in 2006
Source: Digital spy