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Pop star Whitney Houston was found unconscious and unresponsive when first responders arrived at a Beverly Hills hotel room, according to Lt. Mark Rosen of the Beverly Hills Police Department.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) LT. MARK ROSEN, BEVERLY HILLS POLICE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN, SAYING:
"Here is what I can tell you. On Saturday the 11th, at approximately 3.30 pm pst (2330 gmt) , Ms. Houston was apparently discovered in her bathtub by a member of her personal staff. This was information that was relayed to the first responders that came onto the scene. Prior to the fire department personnel and hotel security arriving on scene, Ms. Houston's body was pulled from the bathtub and, when first responders arrived on scene, she was unconscious and unresponsive. First aid and CPR measures were performed in an attempt to revive her. They were unsuccessful and at approximately 3.55 pm pst (2355 gmt) on Saturday, Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. As of right now, this is an active investigation by the Beverly Hills Police Department. It is what we deem to be a death investigation. It is not prompted by her celebrity or notoriety. We would do this in the case of any unintended or unexpected of somebody of her age.
As of right now, it is not a criminal investigation. "
Houston, best known for her hit single "I Will Always Love You," had a long history of addiction to alcohol, cocaine and marijuana and had been in rehab as recently as May 2011.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
