Whitney Houston Dead: INITIAL INFO From Beverley Hills Police on Singer's Death

Los Angeles: Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48. Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen told reporters outside the Beverly Hilton that Ms Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. on Saturday in her room on the fourth floor of the hotel. Her body remained there and Beverly Hills detectives were investigating. "There were no obvious signs of any criminal intent," Rosen said. Ms Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, said the cause of death was unknown. Lt. Rosen said police received an emergency call from hotel security about Houston at 3:43 p.m. on Saturday. Paramedics who were already at the hotel because of a Grammy party unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate the singer, he said. Ms Houston's end came on the eve of music's biggest night - the Grammy Awards. It's a showcase where she once reigned, and her death was sure to cast a heavy pall on Sunday's ceremony. Her longtime mentor Clive Davis was to hold his annual concert and dinner on Saturday at the hotel where her body was found and a representative of the show said it would proceed. Producer Jimmy Jam, who had worked with Houston, said he anticipated the evening would become a tribute to her, and he expected there to be one at the Grammys as well. Ms Houston was supposed to appear at the gala, and Davis said that she would perhaps perform: "It's her favourite night of the year ... (so) who knows by the end of the evening," he said. Ms Houston had been at rehearsals for the show on Thursday, coaching singers Ms Brandy and Ms Monica, according to a person who was at the event but was not authorized to speak publicly about it. The person said Ms Ms Houston looked dishevelled, was sweating profusely and liquor and cigarettes could be smelled on her breath. Two days ago, she performed at a pre-Grammy party with singer Kelly Price. Singer Kenny Lattimore hosted the event, and said Ms Houston sang the gospel classic "Jesus Loves Me" with Price, her voice registering softly, not with the same power it had at its height. Mr Lattimore said Ms Houstonn was gregarious and was in a good mood, surrounded by friends and family, including daughter Bobbi Kristina. "She just seemed like she was having a great night that night," said Mr Lattimore, who said he was in shock over her death. Aretha Franklin, her godmother, also said she was stunned. "I just can't talk about it now," Ms Franklin said in a short statement. "It's so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn't believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen." The Rev. Al Sharpton said he would call for a national prayer on Sunday morning during a service at Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles. "The morning of the Grammys, the world should pause and pray for the memory of a gifted songbird," Sharpton said in a statement. In a statement, Recording Academy President and CEO Neil Portnow said Ms Houston "was one of the world's greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades." "Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs," Mr Portnow said. "A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice