National Enquirer Photo of Whitney Houston in Open Coffin Shocks Fans

A photograph apparently showing Whitney Houston in her open coffin has been printed on the quilt folks magazine ‘National Enquirer’.

The chilling image shows the singer lying dead in her golden casket, clad in a very regal purple dress and carrying what feels like a diamond brooch and earrings.

The weekly magazine has run the snap alongside a daring headline proclaiming: “Whitney: The last photo!”

It is understood the photograph was taken within the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, New Jersey, where her family attended a personal wake last Friday (local time) on the eve of her funeral.

The magazine claims the photo was taken at the non-public viewing – though doesn’t reveal who took the image.

Carolyn Whigham, the owner of the Whigham Funeral Home, told MailOnline: “I have spoken with the family concerning this and that they have asked me to not investigate the matter.”

Whitney – who died aged forty eight on February eleven – was carrying jewels price $500,000 and had gold slippers on her feet, consistent with the publication.

The National Enquirer cowl (digitally altered) has sparked robust reaction. Picture: Daily Mail

The image – that was printed in today’s edition – has stirred a powerful reaction on Twitter, with individuals expressing their shock.

‘#wrong #rip,’ wrote one Twitter user named because the Bitter Critter.

Another user of the social networking website, Eric S Pittman, merely exclaimed ‘Oh dear’ whereas tweeter Peter Anthony Holder wrote: ‘No privacy for Whitney, even in death. As usual, the National Enquirer could be a piece of labor.’ 

The singer’s funeral occurred on Saturday (Sunday AEDT)and was attended by stars as well as Mariah Carey, Oprah Winfrey and her co-star from The Bodyguard, Kevin Costner.

Houston was laid to rest the subsequent day in a very burial service attended by shut family and friends.

She was found dead within the bathtub of her fourth-floor hotel suite at the Beverly Hilton hotel on the eve of the Grammy Awards.

The official reason for death is however to be revealed, pending the discharge of toxicology reports – that may still be many weeks off.

However, there has been speculation that the troubled star – who endured a protracted battle with medicine – died as a results of a deadly concoction of prescriptions medicine and alcohol.

Yesterday, RadarOnline reported Whitney had a combination of Valium, Xanax and alcohol in her system when she was found at the Beverly Hilton.

“Whitney had taken Valium, Xanax, and alcohol, that led to her death,” a supply near things told the web site.

“The coroner is waiting on final toxicology results to see that one amongst the 3 was the main contributing issue of her demise.

“The coroner are going to be closely examining Whitney’s blood alcohol content at the time she died additionally. The sedatives and alcohol can virtually actually be the reason for death, and not drowning.

“Her heart stopped beating as a result of her respiratory system was suppressed thanks to the anti-anxiety meds, and combined with the booze it in all probability happened terribly quickly before she was found partially submerged within the bathtub.”