Singer Whitney Houston was pulled from the bath by members of her entourage after she was found submerged under water, police have said.
The 48-year-old American star was apparently unconscious when staff discovered her lying in the tub in her hotel room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton on Saturday.
Fire services and hotel security rushed to the suite but attempts to resuscitate the actress failed and she was pronounced dead shortly before 4pm local time.
Details of the hotel-room scene emerged amid frenzied speculation surrounding Houston's alleged use of prescription drugs. Police said it was too early to determine whether these may have been involved in her death.
According to Website TMZ, the star's family were told by Los Angeles County Coroner officials that prescription medication mixed with alcohol - and not drowning - appeared to be to blame. Her family now awaits the result of toxicology tests.
Relatives were "making arrangements" to have the singer's body returned to them following the completion of a post mortem examination.
Beverly Hills Police Chief David Snowden said the actress was removed from the bath by a "member of her personal staff" at around 3.30pm.
"She was underwater and apparently unconscious," he added. "Ms Houston was pulled from the tub by members of her staff and hotel security was promptly notified. Fire Department personnel, accompanied by hotel security responded to her hotel suite.
"Upon arrival, first responders observed Whitney Houston to still be unconscious and unresponsive. They initiated CPR, but were unable to revive her."
Police have asked the coroner's office to place a "security hold" on its findings to curb speculation before a final report is completed. Police refused to be drawn on the TMZ reports, insisting the information was not believed to have come from an official source.
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