The death of Whitney Houston, America’s legendary singer and film star was confirmed late Saturday after she was found drowned alone in a bathtub in her hotel room at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, California, United States.

The body of 48-year-old music star was found dead by her bodyguard in a luxury hotel suite said to have been littered with bottles of prescription pills.

Reports said paramedics battled to revive the singer but she was pronounced dead at 3.55 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, hours before she had been due to perform.

According to Daily Mail’s report, “her frantic daughter, Bobbi Kristina, 19, is understood to have got into a furious screaming argument with police who refused to let her into the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles to see the body of her dead mother.”

It was also reported that friends of Miss Houston's cousin, Dionne Warwick, who also went to the hotel to try to see the body, have said that she is inconsolable.

The cause of death is not yet known. But according to reports, the Thursday evening before her death, “the singer went on a wild binge in which she is said to have clashed with security guards.

“The next evening she partied heavily, drank and chatted loudly with friends at the hotel bar, claims,” TMZ.

“It is not known if the destructive spiral played a part in death of the I Will Always Love You singer who had spent more than a decade battling an addiction to crack cocaine since rising to international stardom in the early 90s,” Daily Mail reported.

It said police have begun searching the hotel room for any signs of illegal drugs. The circumstances of the death are not thought to be suspicious but the authorities are investigating.

As the singer's body was wheeled to an ambulance, just yards away stars including Britney Spears, Tony Bennet and Kim Kardashian were taking part in the pre-Grammy Awards party at the hotel.

Miss Houston had been due to attend the event which was organised by her mentor, Clive Davis, on Sunday.

The surreal scene inside the hotel event unfolded with Mr Davis paying tribute to the singer, before saying: “Now ladies and gentlemen, let the music begin.” Stars paid tribute to her throughout the evening.

Meanwhile, Fans and musicians have reacted with shock to the death of American singer and actress Whitney Houston.

Aretha Franklin, the star's godmother, said the news was "stunning and unbelievable" while Mariah Carey said she was "heartbroken and in tears".

The 48-year-old was best known for powerful ballads such as I Will Always Love You and One Moment In Time.

But her later career was overshadowed by substance abuse and her turbulent marriage to singer, Bobby Brown.

Following news of her death, a visibly distraught Brown took to the stage in Southaven, Mississippi, with his band New Edition on Saturday evening.

Opening the show, he pointed to the sky and declared, "I love you."

Addressing fans, he added: "First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all. Second, I would like to say, I love you Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage."

The couple's volatile marriage, which was marked by drug addiction and allegations of domestic abuse, ended in 2007.

After that, Houston's career appeared to be set for a revival. Her 2009 comeback album, I Look To You, reached number one in the US, and she had recently finished filming a new movie, Sparkle.

Autopsy
Police investigators inspected the scene before Ms Houston's body was moved from the hotel to the coroner's office for an autopsy.

An autopsy is likely to be held within the next two days. However, if drugs or alcohol are involved, it will take between six and eight weeks for toxicology tests to be completed.

Meanwhile, Grammy president and CEO, Neil Portnow, who called Houston a friend, said: “Canceling the party was never an option.”

He announced that Jennifer Hudson would perform a tribute to Houston at Sunday's Grammys.

News of the death brought a string of public tributes from the music industry on Sunday.

A spokesman for the local police department said that emergency services had been called to the hotel at 3.43 p.m. on Saturday, arriving minutes later.

Reports said officials rushed to the room on the fourth floor where she was staying as a guest, where they found security staff and firemen attempting to revive her using CPR.

Life-saving attempts proved unsuccessful after 20 minutes, and she was pronounced dead at 3.55 p.m.

Whitney’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina and Miss Warwick were eventually allowed into the room later in the evening, according to Radar.com.

It said the relatives broke down in floods of tears in emotional scenes inside the room, it is understood. Outside, fans gathered to mourn the star.

Authorities are currently trying to determine a cause of death, the spokesman added.

Music stars pay tributes
One of the best voices I have heard in my life ever. A true superstar legendary diva.” –Simon Cowell.

“Mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, Whitney, I will always love you.” –Dolly Parton.

“This is a sad day today, all I want to talk about is her music. She was the most beautiful woman I think I ever saw... Thank you for giving us your talent, and one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard.” –Elton John.

“Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney’s family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.” –Mariah Carey.

“I can't believe that Whitney is gone. My heart goes out to her family, to Clive (Davis), and to everyone who knew and loved this amazingly talented and beautiful artist. I will always love her.” –Barry Manilow.

“She had everything, beauty, a magnificent voice. How sad her gifts could not bring her the same happiness they brought us.” –Barbra Streisand.

“We have lost another legend. Love and prayers to Whitney's family. She will be missed.” –Christina Aguilera

“I am devastated by the loss of Whitney. We have lost a true angel. My prayers, my heart goes out to her family. We have lost an extraordinary voice to the world.” –Lionel Richie.

“No words! Just tears, DearWhitney.” –Rihanna.

“We've lost probably the greatest singer the world has ever seen.” –Ronan Keating.

“This is the saddest thing I've ever had to write in my life, R I P to one of the greatest humans that I have ever known Whitney Houston.” –Wyclef Jean.

“Whitney Houston was the first cd I ever bought.” –LeAnn Rimes.

“She had a God-given gift. Hopefully, she’s singing with angels now.” –LeAnn Rimes.