W hitney Houston's death on Feb. 12 was caused by accidental drowning, heart disease and the effects of cocaine use, the L.A. County Coroner's office announced on Thursday. The just-released coroner's report states Houston was found submerged in a bathtub filled with water and lists "cocaine intake" as a cause of the injury.
According to spokesman Craig Harvey, Houston, 48, had cocaine in her system and that it contributed directly to her death. Marijuana, Xanax and Flexeril, a muscle relaxant, were also found but did not contribute to her death. He says the results indicated Houston was a chronic cocaine user.
Beverly Hills police said in a statement there was no evidence of wrongdoing in connection with Houston's death. Officials had previously confirmed that prescription pills were found in the room, but no mention of cocaine.
A TMZ source that is connected to the investigation calls it "very possible" that Houston suffered a heart attack that led her to lose consciousness in the bathtub.
"We are saddened to learn of the toxicology results, although we are glad to now have closure,' said Patricia Houston, the singer's sister-in-law and manager.
Houston died just hours before she was scheduled to appear at producer Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Awards bash.
Sister-in-Law Feared Drugs Would Take Whitney's Life
The singer was buried in a New Jersey cemetery next to her father after an emotional four-hour funeral service that was attended by friends, family and superstars such as Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson and Roberta Flack
Houston, a sensation from her first, eponymous album in 1985, was one of the world's best-selling artists from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, turning out such hits as "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," ''How Will I Know," ''The Greatest Love of All" and "I Will Always Love You." But as she struggled with drugs, her majestic voice became raspy, and she couldn't hit the high notes.
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