Singer Whitney Houston has been found dead in her hotel room during her stay in Los Angeles at the age of 48.

Kristen Foster, Whitney Houston's publicist, was the first to give the news who came out and could only tell the press: "Unfortunately, it is true."

On Friday night, the Grammy award-winning star had been seen looking disvelled and worse-for-wear as she attended a pre-Grammy party in Hollywood.

Her turbulent marriage to Bobby Brown, and her overshadowed substance abuse have already served as a matter of talk, however the body remains in the hotel and its awaiting to be investigated. And even though the cause of her death remains unclear, police have reported that "no obvious signs of criminal intent".

Civil rights activist Rev Al Sharpton said that on the morning of the Grammys, "the world should pause and pray for the memory of a gifted songbird".

Houston's career highlights

• 170M records sold worldwide
• 11 US number one hits
• Won six Grammys, including three for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
• Won 30 Billboard Awards and 22 American Music Awards
• I Will Always Love You is the best selling single by a female artist of all time