The 'Congratulations' singer was found dead Thursday, September 22 in an El Segundo, California hotel room, where multiple bottles of prescription pills were reportedly also discovered.
- September 24, 2011
AceShowbiz -
The R&B world has just lost another of its members. Vesta Williams, the singer whose '80s hits included "Don't Blow a Good Thing" and "Congratulations", was found dead in a hotel room on Thursday, September 22, and Capt. John Kades of the Los Angeles County coroner's office said she might have died of a possible drug overdose.
To the Associated Press, the coroner's official detailed that the body of the 53-year-old was discovered at around 6:15 P.M. in the hotel room in El Segundo, California. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of her death with a toxicology examination to be completed in six weeks.
Adding more suspicion to the possibility of drug overdose, TMZ reported that multiple bottles of prescription pills were found in the room where Vesta was found dead. Claiming to be informed by law enforcement sources, the gossip site added that some of the bottles discovered were empty.
Condolences from Vesta's celebrity friends have been pouring in Twitter. Kimora Lee Simmons wrote, "R.I.P. Ms. Vesta Williams. What a tremendous talent + great soul! Cuz as long as I can breathe, you'll always be the one for me!", while Sheryl Lee Ralph tweeted, "I am so deeply saddened at the passing of my diva friend Vesta Williams. RIP Vesta."
Jackee Harry of "227" also took to Twitter to express her grief, "Just received truly devastating news: R&B great, and my friend of many yrs, Vesta Williams (@vesta4u) has passed away." Comedian Sinbad wrote on his page, "Our dead sister and one of the sangiest divas ever, Vesta Williams, has passed away. I loved that sister."
Vesta began her career in 1977 in a group in Ohio before heading to Los Angeles to launch a solo career. She released her first album "Vesta" in 1986, and established herself as an R&B powerhouse with second album "Vesta 4 U". Her career declined through the 1990s, and her last album "Distant Lover" was released in 2007.
She was actually scheduled to perform on October 22 at the 21st annual "DIVAS Simply Singing!" concert in Los Angeles. Following her death, the gig, which is held to promote AIDS and HIV awareness, will pay tribute to her and another soul singer, Teena Marie.
