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UPDATE: THE music world has reacted with shock at the death of Whitney Houston, 48.
Emergency services were called to the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills by a member of the pop star's entourage at 3:23pm local time and arrived two minutes later, police said. Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
"At 3:55pm, Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel," Beverly Hills Police Department Lt. Mark Rosen told reporters at a press conference, adding that the cause of death was still being investigated.
Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behaviour and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, died in unknown circumstances.
The tragic singer's publicist, Kristen Foster, confirmed the news of her death.
Rosen said detectives had found "no obvious signs of criminal intent" as they investigated the scene inside the fourth floor room that Houston's body was discovered in.
Asked by reporters if drugs had been found in the room, Rosen said the investigation was "too fresh" and it was premature to speculate about the cause of death. He said he did not know the name of the individuals who initially called 911 -- other than that they were part of the singer's "entourage."
Several reports surfaced saying that Houston's ex-boyfriend, singer Ray J, had found the body. But Ray J's publicist denied the claims, saying it was Houston's bodyguard -- who is also named Ray -- who discovered the body, Radar Online reported.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ later Saturday night that officers were attempting to obtain a search warrant so they could conduct a thorough search of the room where Houston was found.
Houston had been staying as a guest at the Hilton ahead of the music mogul Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party that she was expected to attend at the hotel on Saturday evening.
Stunned stars were quick to post their feelings on Twitter and commemorate the pop superstar's life.
Mariah Carey tweeted: "Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney's family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth."
News of Houston's death came on the eve of music's biggest night - the Grammy Awards.
300+ comments: Leave your tributes below for the pop music queen
It is a showcase where she once reigned, and her death is sure to case a heavy pall on the ceremony.
Houston's longtime mentor Clive Davis was to hold his annual concert and dinner last night (US time); it was unclear if it was going to take place.
At her peak, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry.
From the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world's best-selling artists, wowing audiences with effortless, powerful, and peerless vocals rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.
Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she starred in hits such as The Bodyguard and Waiting to Exhale.
She had the perfect voice, and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer with sex appeal who was never overtly sexual, and maintained perfect poise.
Emergency services were called to the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills by a member of the pop star's entourage at 3:23pm local time and arrived two minutes later, police said. Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
"At 3:55pm, Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel," Beverly Hills Police Department Lt. Mark Rosen told reporters at a press conference, adding that the cause of death was still being investigated.
Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behaviour and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, died in unknown circumstances.
The tragic singer's publicist, Kristen Foster, confirmed the news of her death.
Rosen said detectives had found "no obvious signs of criminal intent" as they investigated the scene inside the fourth floor room that Houston's body was discovered in.
Asked by reporters if drugs had been found in the room, Rosen said the investigation was "too fresh" and it was premature to speculate about the cause of death. He said he did not know the name of the individuals who initially called 911 -- other than that they were part of the singer's "entourage."
Several reports surfaced saying that Houston's ex-boyfriend, singer Ray J, had found the body. But Ray J's publicist denied the claims, saying it was Houston's bodyguard -- who is also named Ray -- who discovered the body, Radar Online reported.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ later Saturday night that officers were attempting to obtain a search warrant so they could conduct a thorough search of the room where Houston was found.
Houston had been staying as a guest at the Hilton ahead of the music mogul Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party that she was expected to attend at the hotel on Saturday evening.
Stunned stars were quick to post their feelings on Twitter and commemorate the pop superstar's life.
Mariah Carey tweeted: "Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney's family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth."
News of Houston's death came on the eve of music's biggest night - the Grammy Awards.
300+ comments: Leave your tributes below for the pop music queen
It is a showcase where she once reigned, and her death is sure to case a heavy pall on the ceremony.
Houston's longtime mentor Clive Davis was to hold his annual concert and dinner last night (US time); it was unclear if it was going to take place.
At her peak, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry.
From the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world's best-selling artists, wowing audiences with effortless, powerful, and peerless vocals rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.
Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she starred in hits such as The Bodyguard and Waiting to Exhale.
She had the perfect voice, and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer with sex appeal who was never overtly sexual, and maintained perfect poise.
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