The photo shows the 'I Will Always Love You' singer lying dead in a golden casket. She has on a long-sleeved purple gown, befitting royalty, and earrings and a brooch rumoured to be worth $500,000. She is also reportedly wearing gold slippers.
Reports circulating suggest that the photo was taken in Newark, New Jersey, inside the Whigham Funeral Home where her family attended a private wake last Friday (AEDT) on the eve of her funeral.
While the person responsible for the photograph remains nameless, the magazine claims the picture was taken at the private viewing.
Carolyn Whigham, owner of the funeral home, had no comment on the incident, telling the DailyMail: "I have spoken with the family about this and they have asked me not to comment on the matter."
Editor's Note: We feel strongly about the use of Whitney's final photograph, and have chosen not to use it directly in this article. If you do wish to see it, it can be found here.
The publishing of the photo has sparked outrage amongst fans, who have taken to Twitter to express their disapproval.
One user tweeted: "National Enquirer publishes photo of Whitney Houston in coffin on cover....#disgusting (sic)"
Another tweeted: "WOW HOLY MOLY... I was not expecting to see a photo of Whitney Houston in her casket on the cover of National Enquirer. #InShock (sic)"
Speaking to Foxnews.com, National Enquirer publisher Mary Beth Wright defended the magazine cover, saying: "I thought it was beautiful."
Houston was farewelled by family and friends on Saturday (Sunday AEDT). A raft of her celebrity friends were also in attendance, including Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder and her 'Bodyguard' co-star Kevin Costner. The funeral service was also streamed live to over two million people.
The singer was found dead in the bathtub of her hotel suite at the Beverly Hilton hotel on the eve of the GRAMMY Awards.
Houston's official cause of death is still pending the release of toxicology reports. Speculation has been circulating that a deadly mix of prescription drugs and alcohol was a contributing factor in her death. The star previously had publicly admitted to a long running battle with drugs.
Related Video: Kevin Costner's eulogy for Whitney Houston
50 Comments
It is pretty sad indeed that we as humans sink this low that a photo of this can be placed into the media ,what on earth where these people thinking ,she deserved the respect and dignity ,unfortunately i cant say the same qualities of the people who did this u should be having a good hard look at yourselves shame on you all, this is not good journalism,that is a disgraceand should be removed .
Replylive today as ur last day because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come!!!
ReplyNot only did this crackhead get what she deserved....I would have poked the body with a stick and laughed.
ReplyPrivate viewing means PRIVATE! Whoever took the picture of Ms. Whitney Houston in her coffin will pay! You truly are a horrible person!!
ReplyShe was murdered by the illuminati, the satanists were celebrating her ritual death in the same motel at the time it happened, sick pathetic fu(KS
Replydo not buy lycamobile sim because it will be blocked within week time without no reason. but when you will call to customer service you will get answer that registration detail was wrong even you put correct details. they are playing with system. made changes in system themselves or their system has some bug which they can not resolve. many customer who can not communicate in english, they bought number of sim card and threw in garbage. highly recommended go for reputed service provider like...
ReplyShe messed up,because she tried to fit in with her BLACK "brothers and sisters".It did'nt work She should have left them behind after she became FAMOUS.Just like Oprah,Obama, and ALL the other BLACKS that got to enjoy FAME and Fortune. THEY surrounded themselves with the WHITES.
ReplyRob....dont be like that.
ReplyMSN is now my homepage. you looser c.nts.
Replywow she looks better dead than alive, don't mean to offend, but you should see the pictures, the make-up job they did is better than a photoshop job.
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