Whitney Houston: Body Still at Coroner Pending Release to Family

Los Angeles County Coroner Ed Winter issues an update on the status of singer's autopsy results; says arrangements currently being made to hand over remains to Houston's family in advance of funeral

By Gina Serpe, Ken Baker Feb 13, 2012 4:42 PMTags
Whitney HoustonRichard Young/startraksphoto.com

Whitney Houston's death happened all too fast.

But there will be no rushing through the steps taken next, to find out what exactly caused her untimely passing.

Los Angeles County Coroner Ed Winter issued another update in Houston's sudden death this morning. Here's what he had to say…

As it stands now, Houston's body has not been placed on hold, though it has yet to be released to her family. Arrangements on that front are currently being made.

Though an initial autopsy was conducted yesterday, official results, including a cause of death, have not been disclosed and are pending the outcome of toxicology tests. As it happens now, Winter reiterated his statement yesterday that the Beverly Hills Police Department has placed a security hold on any preliminary autopsy results.

As for potential funeral plans, the family has not indicated to Winter whether the service would ultimately be held in Atlanta, where Houston was active in her church community, as has been reported.

Winter also took time out to discredit a report that he informed one of Whitney's family members that the autopsy had indicated that Xanax or other prescription pills were in any way responsible for Houston's death. As it stands now, whether or not that's ultimately proven to be the case, it's simply impossible to speculate or draw any conclusions without the full results of the toxicology report.