Janet Jackson - Jackson Family Ask Media To Respect Houston Family's Privacy

The I Will Always Love You hitmaker died on Saturday afternoon (11Feb12) while preparing for an appearance at her mentor Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy Awards party at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles.

Jermaine Jackson, who helped Davis develop a young Houston at the start of her recording career, has already expressed his devastation at the news of her passing, and now his whole family have released a joint statement paying tribute to the late soul singer.

The Jacksons, who experienced a similar public outpouring of support and scrutiny following the death of Michael Jackson in 2009, state: "We honor and celebrate the life of one of the world's most gifted vocalists and talented entertainers, Whitney Houston.

"Although we are all saddened by her sudden passing and will miss her, we respectfully ask everyone to please consider her family at this time of difficulty by granting them the patience and comfort they need to mourn their loss in peace."

The official statement was posted on Janet and Randy Jackson's Twitter.com blogs on Monday (13Feb12).

An autopsy conducted on Houston's body on Sunday (12Feb12) proved inconclusive and officials are now awaiting the results of toxicology tests to determine the exact cause of death.

Her remains are expected to be flown to Atlanta, Georgia for a memorial service.