Bobbi Kristina Brown attends ‘The Houstons: On Our Own’ series premiere party at the Tribeca Grand Hotel on Oct. 22, 2012, in New York City.Photo:Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic
Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic
Bobbi Kristina Brown’s life was cut tragically short in 2015.
Beyond her own ambitions, she also sparked creativity in her mother, who, in one of her final interviews withAccess Hollywood, called Bobbi Kristina her “greatest inspiration.”
Here’s a look back at the circumstances surrounding Bobbi Kristina Brown’s death, as well as the legacy she left behind.
How did Bobbi Kristina Brown die?
Bobbi Kristina Brown attends the premiere of ‘Sparkle’ at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Aug. 16, 2012, in Hollywood, Calif.Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
Bobbi Kristina’s death was ruled a combination of drowning and drug intoxication, according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner.
The toxicology report found marijuana, alcohol, “a cocaine-related substance,” sedative and anti-anxiety medications and morphine in Bobbi Kristina’s system. The medical examiner’s office, however, was unable to determine if her death was intentional or accidental.
“The underlying cause of death is the condition which starts the downhill course of events leading to death and in this case is the immersion associated with drug intoxication,” the medical examiner’s office said in the statement at the time. “The pneumonia and encephalopathy are more immediate causes which resulted from the immersion and drug intoxication.”
When did Bobbi Kristina Brown die?
After being found unconscious in a bathtub on Jan. 31, 2015, and spending months in the hospital, a rehabilitation center and hospice care, Bobbi Kristina died on July 26, 2015.
Where did Bobbi Kristina Brown die?
Bobbi Kristina Brown poses backstage at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards on May 20, 2012, in Las Vegas.Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
In March, she was moved to a rehabilitative facility before being transferred into hospice at Peachtree Christian Hospice in Duluth, Ga. She eventually died there a month later.
How old was Bobbi Kristina Brown when she died?
Bobbi Kristina Brown during the 56th Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Jan. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles.Tiffany Rose/WireImage
Tiffany Rose/WireImage
The singer was 22 years old at the time of her death.
Why was there a lawsuit following Bobbi Kristina Brown’s death?
Nick Gordon and Bobbi Kristina Brown attend “We Will Always Love You: A GRAMMY Salute to Whitney Houston” on Oct. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles.Christopher Polk/WireImage
Christopher Polk/WireImage
Shortly after the singer was moved to hospice care, her court-appointed conservator filed a complaint against Bobbi Kristina’s boyfriend Gordon to “pursue justice” on her behalf.
“No human being, male or female, should endure what Bobbi Kristina endured,” Bedelia C. Hargrove told PEOPLE in a statement through a family member’s lawyer in June 2015.
That August, Hargrove filed an amended complaint accusing Gordon of causing Bobbi Kristina’s “wrongful death.”
The complaint claimed that the pair had a heated argument, which led Gordon to give Bobbi Kristina a “toxic cocktail” that left her unconscious before he put her face down in the bathtub.
Legal representatives for Gordon told PEOPLE that the lawsuit was “slanderous and meritless.”
“Nick has been heartbroken and destroyed over the loss of his love and it’s shameful that such baseless allegations have been presented publicly,” the statement read.
In September 2016, Gordon was found civilly liable in Bobbi Kristina’s death and laterordered to pay $36 millionto her estate.
What happened to her mom Whitney Houston?
Whitney Houston and Bobbi Kristina Brown at the American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Nov. 22, 2009, in Los Angeles.Kevin Mazur/AMA2009/WireImage
Kevin Mazur/AMA2009/WireImage
Bobbi Kristina’s death drew striking parallels to her mother’s, who died on Feb. 11, 2012, at 48 years old. She was found unresponsive and submerged in the bathtub inside of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Although the “I Will Always Love You” singer’s death was ruled an accidental drowning, a coroner’s report cited heart disease and cocaine use as contributing factors.
Los Angeles County chief coroner Craig Harvey explained to PEOPLE at the time that both of those factors “complicated” her death, with coroner assistant chief Ed Winter explaining there could have been two potential explanations for what happened.
“She could’ve passed out first due to the intoxication from the cocaine, or she could’ve had a heart attack and then drowned,” Winter said. “It’s probably one of those two scenarios.”
How did the public react to Bobbi Kristina Brown’s death?
Supporters attend the candlelight vigil for Bobbi Kristina Brown on Feb. 9, 2015 in Riverdale, Ga.John E. Davidson/Getty
John E. Davidson/Getty
From the day Bobbi Kristina was found unconscious to the news of her death months later, fans, industry fellows and loved ones alike showed their support on social media and in person.
In February 2015, while Bobbi Kristina remained on life support, her family organized acandlelight vigilin Riverdale, Ga. The public event drew a strong showing of support, with nearly 300 people attending to honor her and stand with some of her family and friends.
When news broke of her death in July, manycelebrities shared tributes online, includingOprah Winfrey, who wrote onX, “Peace at Last!”
SingerMariah Careyalso shared her words of support on theplatform, saying, “Heartfelt prayers & condolences from the bottom of my heart to the family of Bobbi Kristina Brown. My thoughts are with you.”
Meanwhile, rapperMissy Elliotwrote onXthat her heart was “truly heavy,” while R&B starCiarashared onInstagramthat she was “Lost For Words.”
Whitaker continued, “Her vibrant spirit will live on forever. It devastates me to think the world won’t be able to experience the amazing person she was.”
What legacy did Bobbi Kristina Brown leave behind?
Bobbi Kristina Brown attends “We Will Always Love You: A GRAMMY Salute to Whitney Houston” on Oct. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles.Christopher Polk/WireImage
Beyonddomestic violence advocacy, the organization also focuses on homelessness and mental health initiatives, per its website.
Bobbi Kristina’s story has also been remembered through film. In 2021, Lifetime released a posthumous documentary,Whitney Houston & Bobbi Kristina: Didn’t We Almost Have It All, which detailed the mother and daughter’s shared struggles.
Some glimpses of Bobbi Kristina’s life were also shared in 2022’sI Wanna Dance with Somebody, a biopic focused on her mother’s life.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
source: people.com
