Vesta at BET's 'Celebration of Gospel' at the Orpheum Theatre on Dec. 11, 2010 in LA
*EURweb has exclusively learned the cause of death of R&B singer Vesta Williams, who died in her sleep in a California hotel room on Sept. 22, 2011.
Singer Norwood Young received word from members of Vesta’s family that the beloved singer passed away from complications of an enlarged heart. The Williams family was given the autopsy report a “day or two ago” according to Young.
“Although it’s a sad situation overall, it’s great news to find that Vesta’s death, as I said from the very beginning, was not drug related,” Young , who was a good friend of the R&B singer, told EUR’s Lee Bailey. “Vesta did indeed die from an enlarged heart. As we know, an enlarged heart can remain undetected in the body for many, many years.”
RELATED: We Remember Vesta Williams: Singer Dies at 53
Young said that obesity and stress may have also contributed to the beloved 53-year-old R&B singer’s untimely death.
In recent years, Vesta had battled with a drug problem and obesity. She beat both–and lost 100 pounds. The singer is best known for her top ten singles “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” “Don’t Blow a Good Thing,” and “Congratulations.”
Asked if Vesta was taking medication for the heart condition, Young said no.
RELATED: Audio: Producer Says Vesta was Taking Pills for Depression
“One thing about an enlarged heart, eight out of 10 deaths are sudden,” Young pointed out.
“This news could not come at a more appropriate time,” said Young, who added that Vesta’s life and career will kick off a series of TV One specials entitled “Unsung,” that will air on January 2, 2012 at 10pm Eastern time.
Young, who was recently signed to E.D.M. Records and is in negotiations to star in a reality show, said that Vesta was always very appreciative of her fans.
“I hope her fans will continue to keep Vesta in their hearts and minds and to know that she loved her fans very, very much.”
I am still saddened that she passed. I am even more saddened and a bit pissed that Chris Paul on the TJMS didn’t mention her name of the people that will be missed that passed in 2011 and on 98.1 KISS-FM on their home page they got a 2011 memoriam, some of the people I’ve never even heard of, but I didn’t see her picture. I thought about Vesta from the time to time before she passed. I missed her sultry voice, but that’s how the music business is, only concentrating on the youth that couldn’t hold a candle to her.
wait a minute, i thought Unsung was starting January 2nd ? Anyways, i’m glad that the truth is out, about how she passed. R.I.P. Ms. Vesta Williams.
Norwood Young is a liar. Vesta did not die of an enlarged heart. Vesta died of hypertension and heart disease which triggered a heart attack. I cant stand a liar. Norwood is only trying to get attention. You shoud talk to Iris Perkins her manager or the coroner and you will get the truth.
I don’t usually post replies to websites, but I have info that relates to myself personally on this issue. Just to educate you a bit, Vestafan, Young did not lie. And you are correct as well, but your info is incomplete. An enlarged heart is actually one of the results of heart disease, in which some of the causes are hypertention and high blood pressure left untreated over time. And, with these ailments a heart attack can strike at any moment, especially when the individual isn’t being medically treated (or not being treated at all, as it was stated in the article). I know this because I have this same condition: An enlarged heart cause by unchecked high blood pressure, with many of the above stated issues likely developing in my system over a 20-year period, according to my cardiologists.
And by the way, I’m not defending or condemning anyone here, and although being a stage keyboardist for 30 years, I have personally met Vesta, I did not know her, and I’m certain she wouldn’t have remembered me. So, my response is not meant to anger anyone, but to hopefully shed some clarity on the matter.
I have respected Lee Bailey and EUR over the years. I enjoy reading the Huffington Post and Essence.com. However, as a music industry executive and educated and previous full-time reporter at a major newspaper, I have never seen such irresponsible reporting. I dare not insult the profession and call it journalism. However, I don’t understand how Norwood became the designated spokesperson. He was called, like the rest of her close friends and told of her cause of death, not to be repeated to the media until the proper death certificate and coroner’s statement was issued. Instead, a second-hand conversation is being printed as the gospel, by someone who never met a camera he didn’t like. Yes, she had undetected heart disease, which was listed as a part of the toxicology report. She also had high-blood pressure. Either way, we know it was not suicide nor overdose of pills.
Yet, the added comments about obesity are speculation since she shedded that weight in the early ’90s. She was stressed? Who isn’t? Just recently, I learned the police officer didn’t find empty bottles, someone repeated this to the officer. What happened to fact checking?
I hope this UnSung helps shed a different light on an incredible woman who left us too soon.
Does this all sound personal to me? That’s because it is! She gave the shirt off her back for anyone in need and always tried to make others smile. Let’s remember her voice, her spirit and her smile. RIP V!
We love you, still!