Whitney Houston’s Official Cause of Death Reported

The LA County Coroner’s office has confirmed that Whitney Houston used cocaine immediately before her death, leading to a “cardiac event,” as reported by TMZ. “All traces of cocaine” were allegedly removed from Whitney Houston’s hotel room before authorities arrived at the scene, The Huffington Post reports.

Earlier, it had been reported that Whitney Houston’s official cause of death, a subject of great debate since her passing, was accidental drowning, according to the LA County Coroner’s report obtained by TMZ.

The coroner’s report also details that at the time of her death there was cocaine present in the legendary singer’s system. Houston’s drug use and reported heart disease most likely contributed to her untimely passing.

Houston was found dead on Feb. 11 by her bodyguard at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. A source close to the investigation also tells TMZ that a potential heart attack could have left the troubled singer unconscious in the bathtub, causing her to drown.

Houston’s death came one day before the 54th annual Grammy Awards, during which Jennifer Hudson sang a tearful tribute to her idol, covering “I Will Always Love You.”

The 48-year-old was later laid to rest in New Jersey where Houston’s ex-husband, Bobby Brown, received negative attention after leaving his ex-wife’s funeral early due to a seating dispute.

Since her passing, media scrutiny has landed on Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina who is reportedly romantically involved with her unofficially adopted brother — although rumors of the pair’s engagement have been shot down. Bobbi Kristina will also serve as the sole heir to Houston’s estate.