Kathy Shayna Shocket has bittersweet memories of Whitney Houston in Phoenix 

Drug use seemed to take its toll even during some visits to Phoenix.

Whitney Houston, 48 years old, was found dead Saturday in her hotel room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel at 3:55 p.m. The talented singer, actress, was in Los Angeles for a musical tribute to her longtime friend Clive Davis. Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen says there were "no obvious signs of criminal intent" and that the cause of her death is being investigated.

On the heels of the death of entertainers such as Amy Winehouse and others who struggled with drug and alcohol addictions- this is another tragedy that leaves loved ones and fans asking - "could we have done something more to help them?" 

I first met Whitney Houston years ago, when she was at her peak. My godfather Lee Solters, a well known and loved Hollywood publicist, once represented her.  Unfortunately, as her life became driven by drugs and an unhealthy relationship with Bobby Brown, her career suffered. Although she got help and her family once got a court order for a drug intervention, the star's addiction was tumultuous.

Unfortunately, both times I was around Whitney Houston when she was in Phoenix for a party and a concert, she was probably under the influence of something. She kept people waiting as she arrived hours late in one visit and behind the scenes had trouble walking straight and was slurring her words. 

One of the saddest things is that the last time I saw her in Phoenix and was able to witness the behind-the-scenes chaos, my most vivid memory now, is that of Whitney Houston's "handlers" and friends confidentially saying this was not uncommon and they feared she would be found dead someday from an overdose. RIP Whitney Houston. 

Kathy Shayna Shocket is a Reporter, Photographer and TV Field Producer based in Phoenix, AZ. You can reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it