Whitney Houston's Cause of Death: Accidental Drowning + Cocaine, Weed, Pills Found in Her System

Bombshell tonight! The L.A. County Coroner's released the results of Whitney Houston's toxicology report Thursday listing the singer's official cause of death as "drowning and effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use." The coroner also said the late singer used cocaine within minutes of her death on Feb. 11. While none of this is surprising, it's still so sad.

Whitney Houston had cocaine in her system when she died -- this according to the L.A. County Coroner. The L.A. County Coroner has just released the singer's official cause of death -- accidental drowning ... but the report also notes heart disease and cocaine use were contributing factors to Whitney's demise. Officials say Houston also had traces of marijuana in her system ... as well as Xanax (anxiety medication), Flexeril (muscle relaxer) and Benadryl (allergy medication). A source connected to the investigation tells us it is "very possible" Whitney had a heart attack that caused her to lose consciousness and drown. The heart attack may have been triggered by hardening of the arteries as a result of cocaine use. As we previously reported, Whitney was found dead in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel last month and several pills were found on the scene -- including Xanax, Ibuprofen, and Midol. Investigators found NO EVIDENCE of cocaine in the hotel room. Law enforcement sources have told us from the beginning they did not suspect foul play -- and believe her death was not a homicide. Her family however had doubts about Whitney's demise -- suggesting there may have been foul play....The Houston family has released a statement which says, “We are saddened to learn of the toxicology results, although we are glad to now have closure.”

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An official for the L.A. County Coroner's Office just stated ... Whitney Houston used cocaine immediately prior to her death. Coroner Chief Craig Harvey just held a news conference -- claiming the toxicology results suggested Whitney was a "chronic" cocaine user. Harvey described the cocaine level in Whitney's system as "acute" -- indicating Whitney used the drug not long before she accidentally drowned in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel last month. "Accidental drowning" is listed as Whitney's official cause of death. According to Harvey, the autopsy revealed a 60% narrowing of Whitney's arteries -- a direct result of the chronic cocaine use. Harvey claims the artery constriction led to a cardiac event before her death. As for the other drugs in her system -- marijuana, Benadryl, Flexeril, and Xanax -- which Harvey claims were all at or below therapeutic levels ... and did not significantly contribute to her death.

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Sources connected to Whitney Houston who were with Whitney the day she died tell TMZ ... an individual removed all traces of cocaine from the room before authorities arrived. The Coroner's Office says Whitney used cocaine "immediately prior to her collapse." Investigators who arrived on scene found no traces of cocaine or any other illegal substance. One source who is extremely close to the situation tells us ... the individual who removed the cocaine was also the person who supplied it to Whitney. As we previously reported, other items were removed from the room as well, including bed sheets. The Beverly Hills PD just told TMZ ... its investigation is not closed. Cops will not comment on whether they are looking at evidence tampering.

sources: TMZ | TMZ | TMZ

Geeh, we wonder who supplied her with that last hit of coke? Who could it be? Some people are suggesting it might be the same person who allegedly took and sold her casket photo. Who disposed of the evidence? Whitney's manager Pat Houston, whom we already said wasn't being entirely truthful in her interview with Oprah, claimed the singer was no longer using drugs. In our opinion, one of the main reasons Pat decided to do the interview was in the hopes it will sell candles; Oprah needed the ratings. Just sayin'. Anyhoo, the final coroner’s report will be available within two weeks. This story is not far from over, so expect more bombshells in the coming weeks and months.


Sidebar:: This is the actual news release from the coroner's office.




And here is Craig Harvey, chief of operations for the LA County coroner's office, holding a press conference to announce his office's findings.



PS: Say no to drugs!