Amy Winehouse's Last Night: What We Know So Far (Updated)
by Richard Sharp
While we know how the night ended, details have started to emerge about what happened on her last night.
Below is a rundown of what we know so far about the details from that night, based largely on reports from friends, family and potentially questionable "inside sources."
While the final autopsy will tell the true story about what killed Winehouse, it's reasonably safe to assume that some combination of (previous or present) drug use, alcohol and serious health issues likely contributed to Winehouse's death.
What's unknown is if Winehouse was actually using drugs on the night of her death, as conflicting reports have emerged.
Here's what we know so far:
Update: UK Tabloids Claim WInehouse Met Up With "Mystery Man"
UK tabloid The Mirror is claiming that authorities are investigating the possibility that Amy Winehouse may have met up with a "mystery man" on the night of her death.
Once again citing unnamed sources, the paper said:
“She had a chaotic lifestyle and often she would head out late at night or even in the early hours of the morning to see friends. No one really knows what she did after she was checked on by her doctor at 8pm and before she was found dead at 4pm the next day. There is a possibility she left her home at some point during the evening and some of her friends believe she may have headed out later.”
Update: Amy's Dad Says She Was Happiest She Has Been For Years
Today, Mitch Winehouse told US Weekly that Amy was at a high point when her tragic death occurred despite rumors to the contrary.
"She was the happiest she has been for years. She was not depressed. She saw [her mom] Janis and [her boyfriend] Reg [Traviss] on Friday and was in good spirits. That night, she was in her room, playing drums and singing. As it was late, her security guard said to keep it quiet and she did. He heard her walking around for a while and when he went to check on her in the morning he thought she was asleep. He went back a few hours later, that was when he realized she was not breathing and called for help."
"But knowing that she wasn't depressed, knowing that she passed away happy -- it makes us all feel better," added Winehouse.
Update: Autopsy Results 'Inconclusive,' Toxicology Reports Could Take 2-4 Weeks
According to a just-released AP report, The Metropolitan Police in London said a forensic post mortem “did not establish a formal cause of death and we await the results of further toxicology tests.”
Toxicology tests are expected to take two to four weeks.
Update: Coroner Says Death "Non-Suspicious"
The autopsy on Amy Winehouse's body is currently underway. While the results will be released shortly, according to CBS and the AP, Coroner's Officer Sharon Duff says "the scene was investigated by police and determined non-suspicious," meaning there was no evidence of foul play.
Update: Winehouse's Spokespeople Are Saying There Were No Drugs
UK publication The Telegraph is reporting that Winehouse's spokesperson and bodyguard are claiming that no drugs were involved in Amy's last night, and Scotland Yard sources are reportedly saying no drugs were found on premises.
According to the publication, "her management insisted that she spent a quiet Friday at home watching videos with her bodyguard after calling a GP to the house because she felt unwell. Years of addiction had left the singer in frail health and she was previously hospitalised with emphysema."
"There was no wild party. It was just Amy and her security guard. She went to bed and when he checked her in the morning she looked like she was asleep. It was only when he checked later that he realised something was wrong and called the emergency services," Winehouse's spokesperson told The Telegraph.
Other Conflicting Sources Reported Winehouse Bought Drugs on Friday
While Winehouse's people are saying there were no drugs involved, according to People, "the singer was seen buying narcotics, believed to include cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and the horse tranquilliser ketamine, from a dealer shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Friday."
The Daily Mirror added that "although the exact cause of death has not yet been released by police, it is claimed she was seen buying drugs from a dealer in Camden just after 10:30pm on Friday."
According to the Mirror's source, Winehouse appeared hell bent on partying hard.
"Amy seemed determined to have a big one on Friday night. She was out in Camden on Friday evening, but seemed determined to carry on the party back at her flat. None of us know who was with her into the early hours of Saturday. But getting out of it was clearly her main priority of the night."
Winehouse Suffered Worsening Health Problems, Including Emphysema and Possible Seizures
Amy Winehouse suffered from a number of serious known health issues.
In 2008, The Daily Mirror reported Winehouse had contracted emphysema.
"The doctors have told her if she goes back to smoking drugs, it won't just ruin her voice, it will kill her. There are nodules around the chest and dark marks. She has 70 percent lung capacity," her father Mitch Winehouse told the publication at the time.
Perez Hilton quoted one inside source who claimed Winehouse also regularly suffered from seizures.
"The hardcore drugs completely wrecked Amy's nervous system. She gave up all that [hardcore drugs] a while ago but she was still drinking heavily, which would bring on seizures," said Hilton's source.
Amy's Recent Breakup with Reg Traviss
Several UK tabloids have claimed Winehouse was particularly distraught at her recent breakup with ex-boyfriend, singer/filmmaker Reg Traviss, who reportedly left her due to her substance abuse problems.
Traviss was spotted outside Amy's home after the tragedy watching bystanders leave tributes for Winehouse.
Winehouse Was Likely Found Dead in Her Own Bed
TMZ is reporting that Amy WInehouse was found dead in her bed by a security guard who was charged with keeping an eye out on her.
According to the gossip site, Winehouse friend and representative Chris Goodman said:
"She was in her bedroom after saying she wanted to sleep and when he went to wake her he found she wasn't breathing. He called the emergency services straight away. He was very shocked. At this stage no one knows how she died. She died alone in bed."
As of now, obviously, a lot of this is mere speculation.
We expect results of the autopsy tomorrow at the earliest and Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. We'll keep you updated as we learn more about Amy's last night.