Whitney Houston died this afternoon ... a rep for the singer announced. She was 48.

Our sources tell us a member of Whitney's entourage found her in her 4th-floor room at the Beverly Hilton hotel ... and called hotel security -- who then dialed 911. When paramedics arrived Houston was found unresponsive. 

We're told police arrived to the scene within minutes and fire was already there on an unrelated call. According to our sources, paramedics performed CPR but it did not work and she was pronounced dead at 3:55 PM. 

Our sources say there were no obvious signs of foul play, but BH PD detectives have begun a full investigation. We're told she was ID'ed by family and friends.

L.A. County Coroner Ed Winter told our photog at 7:09 PM that it is too early in the investigation to tell what happened (see below).



The singer famously battled drug addiction for years (see related links below).

Houston was seen out in Hollywood Thursday night for a Grammy party ... and she did not look well (below). She even briefly took the mic and performed a song while she was there -- what would become her last performance. See the video here.

Houston won two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards during her record-breaking career. Her album "Whitney" was the first female album to ever debut at #1 on the Billboard Charts. She has sold 200 million albums worldwide.

Houston had one child, Bobbi Kristina, with husband Bobby Brown. Houston and Brown were married from 1992-2007.


Sources tell TMZ, Whitney Houston "partied heavily" last night at the Beverly HIlton hotel where she was staying, drinking and chatting loudly with friends in the bar -- but Cissy Houston and Dionne Warwick claim the singer sounded fine just hours before her death.

We're told Bobby Brown is distraught over Whitney's death -- going "in and out of crying fits." His band New Edition tells us, they are "shocked and saddened."

Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party -- which Whitney was supposed to open -- is going on as scheduled this evening, though Clive will not be in attendance.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, police are currently seeking a search warrant to investigate the hotel room where Whitney was found dead. One item they'll be looking out for -- drugs.

Jesse Farrelly -- son of "Something About Mary" director Bobby Farrelly -- died this week of an apparent drug overdose in Orange County, CA ... TMZ has learned.

According to law enforcement ... emergency personnel responded to an apartment in Costa Mesa, CA late Wednesday night after getting a call about an "unresponsive young male ... possible overdose."

We're told 20-year-old Jesse was transported to a nearby hospital ... where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The coroner has completed the autopsy and has ruled out foul play.

Jesse's father and uncle make up the Farrelly Brothers comedy team ... and he had appeared in a couple of their movies ... including "Something About Mary" and "Hall Pass."

The Farrelly family has released a statement saying, "It is with profound sorrow that we accept the passing of our beloved Jesse following his struggle with addiction. We fully trust that he is now in the hands of our Lord."

The statement continues, "We are immeasurably grateful for the abundance of happiness and laughter he brought into our lives, and we will rejoice eternally for all the moments we got to breathe in his wondrous spirit. The family thanks you for your well wishes and kindly asks that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."

Hazell Stoudemire, the older brother of NBA star Amar'e Stoudemire, died early this morning in a car accident in Florida ... TMZ has learned. 

The accident happened on Route 27 in Lake Wales. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Stoudemire was driving at a "high rate of speed" when he collided with the rear of a tractor trailer. 

He died on the scene.

The Florida Highway Patrol says 35-year-old Stoudemire was not wearing a seat belt when he smashed into the big rig ... and they are unsure if alcohol was a factor.

Story developing ...

Hollywood legend James Farentino didn't die from heart failure -- according to the actor's death certificate, obtained by TMZ, he died from every old person's worst nightmare ... a broken hip.

There were reports the actor croaked thanks to a bum ticker -- but while his heart may have been a contributing factor in his demise ... the official cause of death is listed as "sequelae of right hip fracture."

For those who don't know ... sequela is doctor-speak for a pathological condition that stems from a previous injury -- in this case, a broken hip.

According to the death cert, Farentino broke his hip in December after falling out of his bed. The nature of the complication that eventually killed him last month is unclear.

Farentino was 73.

Leslie Carter was battling an addiction to prescription medication in the days before her death ... and family members believe she died as a result of an overdose.

Sources close to the "House of Carters" reality star tell TMZ ... the 25-year-old sister of Nick Carter had recently moved from Canada to Upstate New York to live with family members while she attempted to kick her addiction.

We're told family members had attempted to rid the home of any prescription medication -- including Xanax --  and were hopeful Leslie was on the road to recovery.

Sources say family members believed Leslie would be OK to stay alone in the home for roughly an hour yesterday while they ran errands ... but when they returned, Leslie was unconscious.

Officials were called to the scene ... but Leslie could not be saved.

We're told Leslie's 1-year-old daughter was not at home with Carter at the time of her death.

Don Cornelius did not leave a suicide note at the home where he shot himself ... this according to multiple law enforcement sources.

We have been told by numerous people today that Don's health problems plagued him for years ... and the pain had become unbearable.

As we first reported, Don was discovered early this morning at his Sherman Oaks, CA home with a gunshot wound to his head. 

The picture shows the ambulance that took Don to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead early this morning.

Former Soul Train host Shemar Moore said his “heart is heavy” after hearing about the suicide of Don Cornelius -- and says it was impossible to fill his shoes on the iconic show.

Moore, who hosted Soul Train from 1999 to 2003, released a statement saying, Cornelius was “one of a kind”  ... and "showed generation after generation over 40 years how to keep it funky and get your groove on every Saturday morning on ‘The Hippest Trip In America’”.

Moore added he was honored that Don gave him the opportunity to host Soul Train for 5 years, but insists, "I didn't dare try to fill his shoes because it just couldn't be done! Don was The Man!!"

Don Cornelius -- who famously created "Soul Train" was found dead in his Sherman Oaks, CA home this morning ... and law enforcement sources tell us it appears he committed suicide.

We're told cops discovered the body at around 4 AM PT. Law enforcement sources tell us ... Cornelius died from a gunshot wound to the head and officials believe the wound was self-inflicted.

We're told Cornelius was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"Soul Train" changed the landscape of television when it debuted in 1971 and ran until 2006.



Officials have notified Don's family.

Cornelius was 75.

During Don's bitter divorce proceedings in 2009, he told an L.A. judge he was suffering from "significant health issues" and wanted to "finalize this divorce before I die."

Cornelius was arrested in 2008 for beating up his wife. He pled no contest to misdemeanor domestic violence and was placed on 3 years probation. His probation just terminated.

The divorce was granted in 2010.

Sources close to Don tell us ... the TV icon was plagued with health issues for years ... including a stroke and a condition that required brain surgery.


8:10 AM PST -- Shawn Holley -- Don's lawyer and good friend -- tells TMZ, "This is devastating news. Don was a kind, funny and brilliant man. Even though his many health battles had left him frail, he remained vibrant, courtly and always sharp as a tack."

"House of Carters" reality star Leslie Carter -- younger sister of Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter -- died yesterday in New York at the age of 25 ... the family confirms.

The Carters released a statement saying, "Our family is grieving right now and it’s a private matter. We are deeply saddened for the loss of our beloved sister, daughter, and granddaughter, Leslie Carter. We request the utmost privacy during this difficult time.”

The details surrounding Leslie's death are unclear.

Leslie was an aspiring singer, who gave birth to a daughter back in April.

Story developing ...

A member of the condo board that Nick Santino said pressured him to euthanize his pit-bull -- a decision that drove him to suicide -- says the condo board is NOT responsible for his death.

Board member Marilyn Fireman says she is sorry that Santino is dead, but says it has nothing to do with the building's no-pet policy. She tells the NY Post, "You just assumed that [his suicide] was a result of a board’s decision."

Fireman did concede Santino routinely complained about the building’s anti-dog policies.

Santino's sister tells the paper the family is holding off on funeral arrangements until the dead dog's ashes are brought home ... saying, "They'll be buried together."

Santino had his beloved and healthy pit-bull Rocco put to sleep on Tuesday, Santino's 47th birthday. A few hours later, he overdosed on pills.

Rev. Al Sharpton gave the eulogy and Christina Aguilera sung her classic song "At Last" ... as 300 mourners gathered at Greater Bethany Community Church City of Refuge in Gardena, CA for the funeral of legendary singer Etta James.

James passed away on January 20 at the age of 73.

Stevie Wonder was also in attendance. He performed "Shelter in the Rain" and sang The Lord's Prayer.

Sharpton read a note from President Barack Obama that said in part, "I know she will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved her."