Fans Memorialize Whitney Houston In Front Of Hotel Because She Has No Walk Of Fame Star

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A memorial to the late Whitney Houston has been growing outside the Beverly Hilton because the singer, lauded by the likes of Dionne Warwick and cultivated by ubiquitous talent finder Clive Davis, has no star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Houston, 48, was found dead in her fourth floor hotel room at the Beverly Hilton Saturday afternoon, just hours before she was to attend Davis' annual pre-Grammy party.  An autopsy on the singer has been completed, but Beverly Hills police say a hold has been placed on the findings.

When a celebrity dies, fans are usually able to take some comfort by bringing flowers, a candle or a card to a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. When King of Pop Michael Jackson died in 2009, crowd control gates had to be erected around his star in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre because of the enormous number of flowers and other items brought by fans to remember him. Another star on the Walk of Fame belonging to a radio personality by the same name drew a memorial crowd as well.

In the case of Whitney Houston, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which oversees the Hollywood Walk of Fame, says the famed singer was selected in 1995 to receive a star, but a date was never requested for a star-unveiling ceremony. The approved selection expired in 2000, but a spokeswoman said the Walk of Fame Committee would consider reinstating Houston's status if the family asks for it.

"At this time, we believe that the family should be left to grieve for their dearly departed," said Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "At such time as they are ready, we would be open to discussions about setting a date to immortalize the legendary Whitney Houston with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame."

COMPLETE COVERAGE:

»Report: Houston's Body To Be Flown To New Jersey For Funeral
»Bobby Brown Breaks Down At Concert Hours After Whitney Houston Dies
»Whitney Houston's Daughter Released From Hospital
»Officials Say Autopsy On Whitney Houston Complete
»Officials: Foul Play Not Suspected In Whitney Houston's Death
»Exclusive: Make-Up Artist Recalls His First — And Last — Meeting With Icon Whitney Houston
»Singer Whitney Houston Dead At 48