How did Whitney Houston die? 8 shocking details in coroner’s report like missing teeth

Whitney Houston was one of the best-selling artists of all time, with smash hits including I Will Always Love You, I Have Nothing and I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Whitney Houston was an American singer and actress who sold over 200 million records worldwide.

The I Will Always Love You singer was one of the most iconic artists of all time, influencing other performers including Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson.

She is also the only artist to have had seven consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, from Saving All My Love for You in 1985 to Where Do Broken Hearts Go in 1988.

Whitney would have celebrated her 59th birthday today (August 9), however, the pop icon sadly passed away on February 11 2012, aged 48.

But how did the star die and what was revealed in the coroner's report?

Here's everything you need to know.

How did Whitney Houston die?

Whitney Houston was found dead on February 11, 2012

Image:

( Getty)

Whitney Houston was found unconscious in a bathtub in the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on February 11, 2012.

Paramedics arrived at the scene at around 3.30pm and found Whitney unresponsive, and performed CPR.

She was pronounced dead at 3:55p.m but the cause of death was not immediately known, with local police stating there were "no obvious signs of criminal intent".

Whitney Houston's coroner's report

The coroner's report concluded that the singer's cause of death was accidental drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use as contributing factors.

However, the report had a few surprising details about the star before her death.

The spoon

Whitney Houston was known for her hits including I Wanna Dance With Somebody and I Have Nothing

Image:

( Reuters)

The report gave an insight into the singer's addiction to drugs.

In the hotel room where Whitney died, a "small spoon with a white crystal like substance in it and a rolled-up piece of white paper" was found alongside other items used to snort cocaine.

A law enforcement officer involved in the case said: "Some people use a spoon for cocaine administration.

"These days it's likely around for meth, which was not found at the scene, according to the investigator, so likely used as inhalation tool."

Whitney Houston would have celebrated her 59th birthday today

Image:

( Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Drug use

In the inquiry into the singer's death, previous reports said traces of cocaine and prescription medications were in her system.

Both the initial and final reports said that blood tests indicate that she smoked marijuana within two weeks before her death.

Marijuana is legal in the state of California if used for medicinal purposes.

The toxicology report found that the singer was "acutely intoxicated from cocaine" and she was a "repeated cocaine user", according to Forensic toxicologist Bruce Goldberger.

The final copy of the report stated that 12 different medications, including anti-anxiety medication Xanax and muscle relaxer Flexeril, were found in the hotel room at the time of Whitney's death.

The medications were said to have been prescribed by five different doctors.

Whitney's driving licence had gone missing

Whitney pictured on February 9 2012, two days before her death

Image:

( WireImage)

Whitney's purse was found in her hotel room, however, the coroner reported that "her driver's licence was removed from the wallet, which was inside the purse, prior to my arrival".

The report reads: "Also prior to my arrival, the majority of the decedent's prescription medication bottles had been removed from a brown bag that was on top of the table in the south-east corner of the living room, and then placed on top of that same table."

It was determined that no foul play was involved in Whitney's death.

Whitney Houston wore a wig

The coroner's report found that the pop star wore a brown wig, which was tightly fixed to her head at the time of her death.

Whitney Houston also had dentures

Whitney with her daughter Bobbi Kristina, who later died in a bathtub in 2015, and husband Bobby Brown

Image:

( WireImage)

The report also indicated that the singer wore dentures, which are common among long-term drug abusers.

Consistent abuse of drugs such as crack cocaine, which contains acidic chemicals, can lead to the wearing down of the teeth over time.

Tooth decay can also be the result of vomiting and tooth grinding, which is common among alcohol and drug abusers.

According to the report, Whitney had 11 of her front teeth missing and was wearing a 'maxillary dental prosthesis' at the time of her death.

Whitney Houston was losing her voice

The singer was known for her ability to hit a high note, however, in the run-up to her death, the star was losing her iconic voice.

In the report, it found that she did not only did she struggle with illegal drugs and alcohol, but she was unable to stop smoking.

Excessive smoking can irritate the vocal cords and dry the vocal cord mucosa.

She was found with minor water temperature abrasions on her face

Whitney died of accidental drowning due to the effects of cocaine use and heart disease

Image:

( Reuters)

Whitney's assistant, Mary Jones, found the singer dead face down in a water-filled bath with "two superficial abrasions to the left side of her forehead", according to the report.

The report added that the star was found with a "bloody purge coming from her nose" and with "a superficial abrasion to the left side of the bridge of her nose".

Six hours after her death, the temperature of the bath was still 33°C, and insiders said it could have been as hot as 66°C when she died, as evidenced by swathes of skin that had been burned off her back.

Whitney Houston had breast implants

Although it is not known how many breast surgeries Whitney had, the report found that the star had breast augmentation surgery at some point during her life.

The report stated that Whitney had "small scars" on her breasts "associated with breast implants."

Read more:

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