The time was 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The thuds seemed to be coming from the room below her, followed by the loud and urgent voice of a man.
It was only later that the executive and the world learned the news: Whitney Houston, who was a guest in the room below hers, died at the age of 48.
Like countless music fans, the executive was shocked by the loss of one of the world's most majestic voices.
Just days before, Houston and her daughter Bobbi Kristina looked joyous swimming in the hotel pool, said the executive, who did not want to be identified. Houston, she said, looked healthy and beautiful.
But on Saturday afternoon, Houston's bodyguard found her body, said Courtney Barnes, publicist for hip-hop artist Ray J, who was dating the pop diva.
Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen said there were "no obvious signs of criminal intent" and that the cause of her death is under investigation.
