Whitney Houston Death

One of Whitney Houston's close friends -- a mysterious man who's been widely accused of supplying the singer with coke before her death -- is declaring war on media outlets that ran with the drug story ... and now, he's on a crusade to clear his name.

The friend -- an enigmatic celebrity sidekick named Raffles van Exel -- tells us, he is "neither the architect nor the culprit of the sudden demise of Whitney Houston."

Raffles was with Whitney in the hours before she died at the Beverly Hilton hotel in February -- and there were widespread reports strongly insinuating he was the singer's secret cocaine supplier.

There were other reports suggesting Van Exel was also the one who snapped the infamous picture of Whitney's body in a coffin ... and sold it to a tabloid newspaper.

But for the first time ever, Van Exel is adamantly denying all the reports -- and has begun taking aggressive legal steps to save his reputation.

Van Exel has started firing off cease and desist letters to media outlets reporting any nefarious connection between him and Whitney's death -- demanding full retractions asap ... or else.

Van Exel -- who describes himself as a "private consultant to the stars" -- has also been linked to Michael Jackson around the time of the singer's 2005 molestation trial, as well as jazz legend George Benson.

If Bobby Brown didn't sound too supportive of Bobbi Kristina doing a reality show with Whitney's family ... it's because Bobby wanted his daughter on his upcoming reality show ... sources close to BB tell TMZ.

According to our sources, Bobby has no problem with Bobbi K doing a reality show ... and he has been trying to get her to appear on his show for months. But our sources say that was NEVER going to happen.

We're told Bobbi K has cut off all lines of communication with Bobby, so he's been calling Pat Houston (Whitney's sister-in-law/manager) in an effort to reach out to Bobbi. Our sources say Bobbi never even considered doing her father's show and the rest of the family feels Bobby was only trying to use her to make his upcoming show more marketable.

Whitney Houston's mother is telling friends ... she fully supports the idea of a family reality show because she believes the exposure will be GREAT for Bobbi Kristina's singing career.

As we previously reported, the family just inked a TV deal with Lifetime to star in a reality show that will follow Whitney's relatives in the wake of the singer's untimely death.

Houston family sources tell TMZ ... Cissy Houston knows BK shares Whitney's passion for music ... and she believes a reality show could be the perfect place to showcase Bobbi's talent.

We're told ... Cissy also believes a reality show will "help with the healing process" by "keeping the family as one."

Cissy also likes the fact that her "extended family" will be making money from the deal.

But don't expect Kardashian-style antics on the Houston show -- producers are suggesting it will have a more serious tone ... at least for now.

Whitney Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina -- and several of her relatives -- have signed a deal to star in a reality show for Lifetime called "The Houston Family Chronicles."

The show will focus on Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law and manager, Pat’s daughter Rayah, Whitney’s brother Gary, and Whitney's mother Cissy.

Lifetime's EVP, Rob Sharenow says, "In this series, the multi-generations of the Houston family will bravely reveal their lives as they bond together to heal, love, and grow."

So we gotta ask ...

Bobby Brown says he isn't to blame for Whitney Houston's deadly drug habit ... claiming, "That was part of her life BEFORE we got together."

Brown just appeared on the "Today" show ... and told Matt Lauer, "I didn't get high [on narcotics] before I met Whitney ... I smoked weed and drank beer ... but no, I wasn't the one that got Whitney on drugs ... I'm not the reason she's gone."

Clearly, Brown doesn't consider marijuana to be a narcotic ... even though the U.S. Govt does.

Still, Brown says he hasn't touched "narcotics" in 7 years ... and says he was "hurt" to learn Whitney had been using again in her final days ... saying, "I know she was struggling with it still."

Whitney Houston's sister-in-law Pat Houston tells TMZ, she's relieved the singer's death investigation is finally over.

Pat and Whitney's brother Gary just landed at LAX -- hours after the Beverly Hills Police Dept. concluded its investigation into Whitney's death, deciding once and for all ... foul play was NOT involved.

We asked Pat and Gary if the BHPD's findings brought them closure ... and if they were happy the case has finally been closed -- Pat said yes.

TMZ has obtained the 911 call placed moments after Whitney Houston's body was discovered in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel on February 11.

The caller -- who IDs himself as a member of the Beverly Hilton security team -- informs the 911 operator about a "46-year-old female found in the bathroom."

He adds, "I'm not sure if she fell or if she was in the bathroom with the water."

The caller says he was alerted to the situation by an "irate" woman who called security from the room ... but he couldn't get much info from her because she kept hanging up.

The security member -- who never identifies Whitney by name -- tells the operator he was under the impression the 46-year-old woman was not breathing.

The 911 operator says emergency personnel would be dispatched to the hotel ASAP ... but it was too late.

As we previously reported, Whitney's official cause of death is listed as "accidental drowning" -- but heart disease and cocaine use were contributing factors. According to the final autopsy report, Whitney may have overdosed.

According to the L.A. County Coroner, Whitney's chronic use of the drug caused a narrowing of her arteries, which resulted in a cardiac event before her death.

Whitney Houston died from an accidental drowning, and there was no foul play involved, according to the Beverly Hills Police Dept. which just closed the case.

The BHPD has been investigating Whitney's death since Feb 11 -- 2 months ago to the day.

As we reported, the BHPD never believed anyone took cocaine from her hotel room because they found the cocaine residue and powder inside Whitney's room at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills.

Cocaine was a contributing factor in the singer's death ... so says the L.A. County Coroner.

TMZ has obtained the 911 call placed moments after Whitney Houston was found dead in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel -- click here for the audio.

With reports Rihanna wants to play Whitney Houston should there ever be a biopic about the legendary singer -- Whitney's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, is telling friends there is only one person that can play that role ... HER.

According to our sources, Bobbi feels she is the perfect person to play the part of Whitney ... telling friends that no one knew her better.

Our sources say BK feels that if Easy E's son can play him in a movie, she can do it too.

So if such a project ever develops, the producers can expect a call from Bobbi Kristina.

Whitney Houston's sister-in-law has backed off her insinuation that Whitney Houston died as a result of foul play.

Pat Houston was at LaGuardia Airport early this AM when our photog asked her if she believed foul play was involved, and she said no.

You'll recall ... Pat told Oprah she did not know how Whitney ended up in the tub, suggesting her death was something other than an accident. It's unclear if Pat knew that Whitney's body was found face down in the tub and if that's why she had doubts at the time.

Whitney Houston's mother is "devastated" and "inconsolable" over the L.A. County Coroner's Autopsy Report that makes it clear ... Whitney was deep into cocaine when she died.

Cissy Houston is telling close friends ... she cried hysterically when she first heard about the Coroner's findings -- that white powder (which we know tested positive for cocaine), a drug spoon and other trappings of drug use were found in the hotel room.

Cissy says her biggest fear is that people will now remember her daughter as a druggie, and not a talented singer and family woman.

Cissy singled out Whitney's performance of the National Anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl, saying, "This is the type of thing people should remember Whitney for."

Cissy added, "No one's perfect. Only the Lord can judge."

A "spoon with a white crystal-like substance on it" and a "white powdery substance" -- which we know was later tested and determined to be cocaine -- was found in the hotel room where Whitney Houston died ... this according to the singer's final autopsy report.

The report, which gives a detailed description of Whitney's room when officials arrived, says "Located on the south portion of the counter was a small spoon with a white crystal-like substance in it and a rolled up piece of white paper, along with other miscellaneous items."

"Located in the top drawer, in the north side of the counter were remnants of a white powdery substance, and a portable mirror on a base." Officials found more white powder on the base of the mirror.

The report also states, "[Whitney] possibly overdosed on a narcotic substance, prescription medications, over the counter medications and alcohol."

According to the report, Whitney's body was discovered FACE DOWN in the bath tub ... with a "bloody purge coming from her nose." Officials say there were no signs of foul play.

The report notes Whitney had a history of substance abuse ... which was evident by a "perforation of posterior nasal septum."

The singer's official cause of death is listed as accidental drowning -- but heart disease and "chronic" cocaine use were contributing factors.

The report notes ... when officials discovered the body, Whitney was wearing a brown wig "tightly attached to the hair."

As TMZ previously reported, Whitney had cocaine in her system at the time of her death -- which tests showed she used immediately prior to her death.

Officials say Houston also had traces of marijuana in her system ... as well as Xanax (anxiety medication), Flexeril (muscle relaxer) and Benadryl (allergy medication).

As we previously reported, Whitney was found dead in a bathtub on Feb.11 at the Beverly Hilton hotel.

Whitney Houston's close friend -- Raffles van Exel -- is "extremely relieved" he is not in the crosshairs of the Beverly Hills Police Department in the singer's death investigation.

Several reports were posted this week that someone removed cocaine from Whitney Houston's hotel room before authorities arrived, and the reports say cops were targeting van Exel.

The stories are not true, because we know authorities actually found cocaine in the Beverly Hilton hotel room and cops are satisfied they have all the evidence they need to close the case.

Our sources assure us ... there is no investigation focusing on anyone removing evidence from the hotel room.

As for van Exel ... we're told he's going to the Beverly Hills PD next week with his lawyer to make sure they're square with him.

Authorities recovered cocaine in the hotel room where Whitney Houston died ... TMZ has learned.

As for the quantity of cocaine that was found, official documents show one of the items police recovered was "white, powdery remnants." Sources tell us the powder was tested and it's cocaine.

We're told Beverly Hills detectives are NOT investigating rumors that someone removed cocaine from the room, because they're convinced it wasn't removed.

Sources directly involved in the investigation told TMZ early on ... no illegal drugs were recovered from the room. We have circled back with these sources who now tell us they were unaware at the time that cocaine was present.

Bottom line -- cops are in the final stages of their investigation, but they are not focusing on anyone who possibly removed cocaine, because authorities are in possession of the goods.

Whitney Houston's mother believes Bobby Brown's DUI arrest proves what she's been telling people all along ... he's just a bad dude.

Sources close to Cissy Houston tell us ... she's always felt Bobby was a cancer ... who infected Whitney's life with negative influences.

We're told Cissy felt "vindicated" when she found out Bobby was arrested for driving drunk on Monday afternoon ... and believes the incident is exactly why she wants Bobby to "keep his distance" from his daughter Bobbi Kristina.

The Houstons believe Bobbi K has been in a "vulnerable place" since Whitney passed ... and as one source puts it, "This is the last person she needs to be around."

Instead, we're told Cissy wants Bobbi Kristina to hang around "positive mentors" ... like Clive Davis.

The 4th floor Beverly Hilton hotel room where Whitney Houston died is officially off the radar -- after hotel staff removed the infamous door number ... 434 ... and TMZ has photo evidence.

Sources tell TMZ, the number was removed shortly after she died -- after scores of prospective hotel guests called to request the room.

A rep for the hotel tells us, the number was removed because the room has been taken out of circulation. So far, there are no plans to make the room available to future hotel guests.