Whitney Houston's body taken to morgue; autopsy planned

LOS ANGELES - A coroner's official says Whitney Houston's body has been transported from the Beverly Hills hotel where the singer died and is awaiting an autopsy.

   Capt. Brian Elias of the Los Angeles County coroner's office says the examination has not been scheduled and that investigators are awaiting reports before an autopsy can be conducted.

   He says he could not release any information about how Houston's body was found at the Beverly Hills Hilton.

   The 48-year-old singer died Saturday on the eve of the Grammy Awards. She had been expected to attend a pre-Grammy gala but was found dead hours before the event. Paramedics attempted to revive Houston, but were unsuccessful.

   Her body remained at the hotel for several hours before being taken to the morgue.

   Entertainers and others who knew Whitney Houston are expressing their thoughts and feelings after learning of the singer's death in Beverly Hills on Saturday at the age of 48.

   Mariah Carey tweets she's heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of her friend. Carey says, "She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth."

   Singer and songwriter Barry Manilow says he can't believe that Whitney is gone. He says his heart goes out to her family, to Clive Davis, and to everyone who knew and loved the "amazingly talented and beautiful artist." He added, "I will always love her."

   Motown great Smokey Robinson says he's known Whitney since she was a little girl and loved her. As he puts it, "She was like family to me. I will miss her."

   Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, says, "A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice."