Funeral Home Owner Claims She Knows Who Leaked Open Casket Photo of Whitney Houston
The drama continues surrounding the Whitney Houston photo leaks. The Star-Ledger reports that the owner of the funeral home where Houston was laid to rest knows who leaked her open casket photo.
The National Enquirer published the now infamous photo, and speculation has been rampant as to who leaked it ever since. The pool of candidates isn’t very large, as Houston’s funeral and burial were both private affairs. In addition, Houston’s casket was under extremely tight security leading up to her burial.
Now, the owner of Whigham Funeral Home, Carolyn Whigham, has come forward an announced that she knows who leaked the photo. “I want to clear my name and my funeral home,” Whigham told reporters. Whigham claimed that she’s received death threats and damage to her personal and business reputations following the publication of the picture.
Whigham’s claims were backed by Rev. Ronald Slaughter of the nearby St. James AME Church, who stated, “The Whigham Funeral Home is not responsible and had no role in this shameful betrayal.” Both Slaughter and Whigham are demanding retractions and apologies from the media outlets who claimed that the funeral home was behind the leak.
Whigham also revealed that while the Houston family has no plans to investigate the leak further, the funeral home is conducting its own investigation into who was responsible for taking and leaking the photo. Whigham said the funeral home’s investigation revealed that the photo was taken on Feb. 17, the day before funeral services for the singer began. She also pointed out that a security details from Houston’s management company was present with the body and casket at all times.
Whigham didn’t wish to go into further detail regarding the findings. Whigham informed reporters that she is considering legal action against whoever released the picture to the National Enquirer — but she won’t say who that person is. Rev. Jethro James of the local Paradise Baptist Church put it simply: “It’s up to the Houston family to release the name.”