Bobby Brown 'Shattered and Beyond Devastated' Over Whitney Houston's Death: Report

Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown — Whitney Houston's funeral is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 18, at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where Houston sang as a child with her mother Cissy Houston and her cousin Dionne Warwick. It will be an invite-only affair and Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston's ex-husband, may not get an invitation, according to TMZ. Reuters

Singer Bobby Brown is said to be shattered and beyond devastated, at the news of the death of his ex-wife Whitney Houston. Houston's publicist confirmed her death to the media on Saturday, and the cause is currently unknown at this time.

A relative of Brown told People.com that when he heard that Houston was dead, Brown began calling friend and family immediately because he wanted to tell everyone about it before the media heard.

He didn't want any of us to hear about it on television, the relative said.

Brown was reportedly overcome with grief as he told friends and family about his ex-wife's death. He has issued no comment to the media. Brown reportedly learned of Houston's death while in Memphis, where he is now located for a New Edition concert.

He is shattered and beyond devastated, a source told People.

He could hardly get the words out when he called me, Browns relative also told People.com about his relating the news of Houston's death. He was sobbing, and by the end of the call, I was sobbing too. He's beside himself right now.

Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen told the celebrity Web site that Houston, 48, was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. that day at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Authorities got a call from hotel security about the death. The singer's body was reportedly found by Ray J, who was once rumored to be dating Houston.

Brown and Houston wed in 1992 and welcomed a daughter, Bobbi Kristina, the following year. The marriage was rocky and there were charges of domestic abuse. They divorced in 2007.