The FBI has revealed agents investigated some of the late Whitney Houston's crazed fans on behalf of the superstar and her family.
Houston was born in Newark, New Jersey, grew up in East Orange, and got her start singing in a church in Newark, where her funeral was held.
The FBI says that the pop diva at the height of her fame had several obsessed fans writing her scary letters that prompted agents to investigate.
FBI records show someone was trying to extort a quarter of a million dollars from Houston threatening to reveal "romantic" secrets about the singing superstar. The family settled with the person for an undisclosed amount. No charges were filed.
In another case an unemployed Vermont man the FBI describes as "a loner" wrote more than 70 letters professing his love.
In some letters he grows agitated and "sick" when he reads she is married.
Houston drowned in a Beverly Hills hotel room on the night of the pre-Grammys party in 2012.
Fans say they are still mourning the untimely death of a legend.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 17:46:33 GMT
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:46:33 GMT
One bird may have been responsible for several hundred Hoboken residents losing power.
One bird may have been responsible for several hundred Hoboken residents losing power. A spokeswoman for Public Service Electric & Gas says the bird touched a transformer on Clinton Street near Columbus Park Wednesday morning.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:26:45 GMT
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
Monday, June 17 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:56:27 GMT
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
Monday, June 17 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:20:15 GMT
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:51 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:51:52 GMT
You can watch a LIVE taping of the X Factor auditions at Nassau Coliseum on June 19-21. Judges Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato, Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio will be on hand. Tickets are free.
You can watch a LIVE taping of the X Factor auditions at Nassau Coliseum on June 19-21. Judges Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato, Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio will be on hand. Tickets are free.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:03 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:03:44 GMT
Times Square was buzzing more than usual on Monday night as Brad Pitt walked the red carpet for the premiere of his latest movie, World War Z. Pitt plays a United Nations investigator who tries to save the world from a zombie apocalypse.
Times Square was buzzing more than usual on Monday night as Brad Pitt walked the red carpet for the premiere of his latest movie, World War Z. Pitt plays a United Nations investigator who tries to save the world from a zombie apocalypse.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:52 AM EDT2013-06-18 12:52:07 GMT
Jay-Z's partnership with Samsung for his new album, "Magna Carta Holy Grail," is another sign of how musicians are finding new ways to push, sell and promote their music, and how the multiplatinum performer -- who famously rapped "I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man" -- continues to leverage his enduring popularity into a successful brand.
Jay-Z's partnership with Samsung for his new album, "Magna Carta Holy Grail," is another sign of how musicians are finding new ways to push, sell and promote their music, and how the multiplatinum performer -- who famously rapped "I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man" -- continues to leverage his enduring popularity into a successful brand.
British police are looking into an incident in which celebrity chef Nigella Lawson was repeatedly choked during an argument with her husband, Charles Saatchi, over dinner at a restaurant.
British police are looking into an incident in which celebrity chef Nigella Lawson was repeatedly choked during an argument with her husband, Charles Saatchi, over dinner at a restaurant.
Sunday, June 16 2013 8:20 PM EDT2013-06-17 00:20:52 GMT
"Man of Steel" leaped over boxoffice expectations in a single weekend.The Warner Bros. superhero film earned $113 million in its opening weekend at the boxoffice, according to studio estimates Sunday. The retelling of Superman's backstory earned an additional $12 million from Thursday screenings, bringing its domestic total to $125 million.
"Man of Steel" leaped over boxoffice expectations in a single weekend.The Warner Bros. superhero film earned $113 million in its opening weekend at the boxoffice, according to studio estimates Sunday. The retelling of Superman's backstory earned an additional $12 million from Thursday screenings, bringing its domestic total to $125 million.
