Whitney Houston dies, found underwater in bathtub

When Amy Winehouse was found dead in 2011, there were some that said it had been a long time coming, but while there had been almost a death watch around that troubled singer, there was none such expectation about Whitney Houston, once the queen of pop, and now dead at 48.

While some might believe this to be a cruel Twitter joke, which has happened several times, on Saturday, her publicist Kristen Foster confirmed that Whitney Houston had died. However, the cause is still unknown.

Reports are quickly coming in from sources such as CNN on television, as the news continues to break. It was first said on CNN's news feed on the network that her body was discovered by producer Clive Davis in a New York City nightclub. Clive Davis is considered to be her mentor.

Additional information later came to CNN from Alan Duke, entertainment producer, Ray J was apparently with Whitney Houston, and he --- not Clive Davis --- was the one who found her dead. It turns out, however, that was confusion. It was later cleared up and indicated that it was one of Whitney's bodyguards, whose name happens to be Ray, who found her. She would found, it turns out, in her hotel room in the Beverly Hilton.

She had been staying at the Beverly Hilton ahead of the party. The latest reports are that Houston had been found underwater, in the bathtub. She had been reported to have partied "heavily" on Friday night.

CNN's Nichelle Turner spoke to Johnny Gill, a member of New Edition, who told her of the reaction of Houston's ex-husband Bobby Brown. The group was supposed to have a show in Memphis Saturday night. Bobby Brown is devastated, and is said to be "not doing well."

Update directly from Lt. Mark Rosen of the Beverly Hills police department: at approximately 3:43 p.m. PST on Saturday afternoon, the police received a call about a medical emergency. The fire department was already on site due to pre-Grammy Awards activity. Despite resuscitation attempts in her hotel room, she was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. PST. There are no signs of criminal activity. The spokesperson said he had no further details on her death.

Music producer Quincy Jones said, in a written statement, “I am absolutely heartbroken at the news of Whitney’s passing. I always regretted not having had the opportunity to work with her. She was a true original and a talent beyond compare. I will miss her terribly.”

The Rev. Al Sharpton said, "I am stunned at the passing of Whitney Houston who I have known since the late 1980s. [...] Tomorrow morning at Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles, I will call for a national prayer for her family and the memory of Whitney Houston. The morning of the Grammys, the world should pause for the memory of a gifted songbird."

Houston's life led her to the top of the pop world. However, later her life was ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a marriage to singer Bobby Brown that could only be called tumultuous.

CNN spoke to "Dr. Drew," HLN's expert on celebrity addictions and substance abuse and behavior addiction. Naturally, he was unsure of the exact reasons behind her death, but he noted the truth is that celebrities are no different than any other people. They are just human, and thus drug addiction can affect them, as well as any other. It has been known that she has had substance abuse problems in the past.

There were already tributes planned for those such as Etta James, Clarence Clemons. There were talks of having something for "Soul Train's" Don Cornelius. One would expect this news to completely shake up any plans that had been set up for the Grammy Awards.

Among the honors and accolades, Houston is one of the biggest selling artists of all time. She had two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, as of 2010.

During the 1980s, Whitney Houston scored seven straight No. 1 hits. She also transitioned into movies, with such films as "The Preacher's Wife" and "The Bodyguard." Her final film, "Sparkle," which is a remake of the 1976 film and stars Jordin Sparks, will be released on August 10, 2012.

Watch one of her "Greatest Hits," "The Greatest Love of All," and "Saving All My Love for Youl," which won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female in 1986, below.

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