All Articles Tagged "Toxicology Testing"

Coroner’s Final Report Shows Whitney Found Face-down in Bathtub, Cocaine in System

April 5th, 2012 - By Brande Victorian
Share to Twitter Email This

People.zap2it.com

The details of Whitney Houston’s death as noted in the LA County Department of Coroner Final Report are quite different from initial information that was shared about the singer’s passing. Yesterday, E! News obtained the official report, and it reveals the sad circumstances of how Whitney was found.

The report states that she was discovered face-down in “extremely hot water,” and there was a scald burn on her back. A small spoon with a “white crystal like substance,” as well as a “white powdery substance” on the counter and a portable mirror with traces of the same powder on it were also found in the bathroom.

Kristy McCracken of the Beverly Hills Police Department wrote in her final report that a “bloody purge” was coming out of Whitney’s nose and cocaine was in her system. There were also minor abrasions on her face, arms, and legs, with a possible old needle puncture wound spotted on the singer’s inner left elbow. These details, coupled with the fact that an open bottle of champagne and a dozen prescription bottles, including three empty bottles of alprazolam (Xanax) and antibiotics were found in the hotel bedroom, led McCracken to determine Whitney:
“possibly overdosed on a narcotic substance, prescription medications, over the counter medications and alcohol.”
Despite the dire condition Whitney’s body was found in, the coroner clinically described her overall body as “well built, muscular, and fairly well nourished.”

Toxicology testing turned up cocaine, Benadril, the muscle relaxer Flexeril, marijuana, Xanax, cocaethylene (produced when cocaine mixes with alcohol) and benzoylecgonin (a primary metabolite of cocaine).

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

More on Madame Noire!

Tags:

, , , ,