Deceased music icon Whitney Houston's ex-husband, Bobby Brown says security disrespected his family at the service. Whitney Houston's funeral packed the inside of Newark's New Hope Baptist Church Saturday. But one notable person who was absent from the crowd was her ex-husband Bobby Brown. Bobby Brown briefly appears at Houston funeral. Whitney Houston's funeral packed the inside of Newark's New Hope Baptist Church Saturday. But one notable person who was absent from the crowd was her ex-husband Bobby Brown. A witness was quoted by one news report (Us Weekly) as saying that Brown "was allowed to go in, pay his respects and then he had to leave. He was red-eyed going up to the casket and then left. He was there for 15 minutes."Brown attributed his brief appearance at the funeral to what he described as security disrespect.
Addressing the speculation that he was thrown out, turned away and rumors that he didn't show at all, Brown, who's schedule to perform at a concert Saturday, has released an official statement, explaining the situation in full.
"My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston. We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move. Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi Kristina. In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events. This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how."
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| Bobby Brown (Right) at the funeral |
Earlier in mid February 2012 following the demise of Whitney during the preceding week, a source hinted that there is still underlying tension between Houston's relatives and Brown, who married Houston in 1992. Their divorce was finalized in 2007. "There are family members who felt Bobby drove Whitney into drugs," one source explained. "But now Bobby is clean and Whitney has unfortunately passed. So there's resentment."
Houston was found underwater and unconscious by a member of her staff in her Beverly Hills hotel room on the eve of Sunday's Grammy Awards (February 12, 2012 at the age of 48). It was the same day she was scheduled to attend a pre-Grammy gala given by her mentor, record producer Clive Davis. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy has been performed, but a cause of death is pending completion of an official investigation and toxicology tests, which could take weeks to complete.
The Los Angeles County Coroner has said there were no visible signs of trauma or foul play. Prescription drugs were found in her room, but officials have not specified the type or amount found in her room.
Beverly Hills Police have said "we are not conducting a homicide investigation."
