Whitney coroner says ‘no foul play’ in singer’s death

The county coroner’s office said there were no “visible signs of trauma” on 48-year-old Whitney Houston‘s body.

Officials have not confirmed reports that prescription drug bottles were found in the star’s fourth floor room and they have yet to comment on evidence recovered by investigators.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said a post-mortem had been done but that specific details will not be released, following a request from detectives investigating the death. A probably cause of death is not expected to be established for six to eight weeks, pending toxicology reports.

‘Xanax connection’

However, US showbiz website TMZ.com is reporting that “family sources” said that Houston died as a result of an overdose of Xanax and other prescription drugs mixed with alcohol. Xanax, or Alprazalom, is a class of Benzodiazepine, a powerful anxiety reducing and habit forming narcotic that brings on a state of tranquillity and drowsiness. It is the most prescribed form of the drug in the United States.

The site claims that prescription drugs were found in Houston’s hotel room and that local police discovered various pill bottles.

Houston, one of the world’s best selling artists of the 1980s and 1990s, was due to appear at the annual pre-Grammy part of her long time mentor, Clive Davis on Saturday. She was found just a few hours before it began. She was known to have had serious drug problems and she was forced to cancel a UK tour in 2010 because of breathing problems, thought to be linked to her drug use.

Read more: Whitney Houston dies aged 48

Los Angeles Police confirmed that paramedics unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate the singer, who was pronounced dead at 3.55pm local time on Saturday.

Her ex-husband Bobby Brown released a statement saying: “I am deeply saddened at the passing of my ex-wife, Whitney Houston. At this time, we ask for privacy, especially for my daughter, Bobbi-Krisina.”

Daughter collapses

Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, was taken to a Los Angeles hospital on Sunday suffering from stress and exhaustion. The 18-year-old left the hospital later.

The death of the star prompted a worldwide outpouring of tributes from some of the biggest names in the music industry.

At the Grammy’s ceremony, the parents of Amy Winehouse also paid tribute to Houston. They were on stage to collect a posthumous award for their daughter, who died last year aged 27 following her own lengthy battle with drugs and drink.

Mitch Winehouse said: “Long live Whitney Houston, long live Amy Winehouse, long live Etta James. There’s a beautiful girl band up in heaven.” Soul singer Etta James died in January.