Famous U.S. singer and actress Whitney Houston has died at age 48, media outlets reported Saturday.

Whitney Houston blows a kiss to the audience at the BET Honors Awards in Washington, DC Jan. 17, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters,File Photo)

She was in the Los Angeles area for a musical tribute to Davis. The singer had performed and spoken to reporters earlier in the week, according to reports.

The authorities are conducting an investigation into the cause of the death, the Los Angeles Times reported, quoting a law enforcement source.

A number of singers and performing artists remembered one of America's most popular singers on Twitter, lamenting the shocking death of the famed performer.

"Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston," Mariah Carey said in her Twitter account. "My heartfelt condolences to Whitney' s family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth."

"Just heard the news," Justin Bieber said. "So crazy. One of the GREATEST VOICES EVER just passed. RIP Whitney Houston. My prayers go out to her friends and family."

Houston was an award-winning singer, actress, producer and a former model best known for her chart-topping single "I Will Always Love You" which led to the production of an award-nominated film "The Bodyguard" in 1992. She was also known for musical hits including "How Will I Know" and "Saving All My Love for You."

As one of the most successful pop singers in modern music history, Houston was remembered as the most awarded female act of all time, garnering a total of 415 awards including six Grammy Awards, 22 American Music Awards and countless other accolades during her lifetime, according to Guiness World Records.

Houston, who was often referred to as "Queen of Pop" or simply "the Voice," is also one of the best-selling music artists in the world, having sold more than 170 million albums and singles before her death.

Her death came on the eve of the Grammy awards, which will be presented Sunday in Los Angeles.

The singer had a history of drug abuse. In 2004, following years of rumored drug abuse, Houston entered a rehab during her first stint. She returned for second sting in the following year. In March 2011, the singer checked in for the third treatment of the problem.

The singer's voice sounded ragged and off-key when she appeared on "Good Morning" to promote her new album "I Look To You," which triggered suspicions that she had lost her treasured gift as the drug and alcohol problem took its toll. Some of the dates of her world tour were forced to cancel which triggered suspicion that she was still using drug.

Houston was seen out partying earlier this week and looked worse for wear, according to media reports.

She left behind her only child Bobbi Kristina who she had during her marriage to singer Bobby Brown.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet