No Foul Play Found in Death of Singer’s Wife

Preliminary autopsy findings released Monday show soul singer James Brown’s wife had early signs of heart disease, but suffered no significant trauma to her body.

Adrienne Lois Brown, 45, died Saturday afternoon while recuperating from cosmetic surgery at a doctor’s office in Beverly Hills.

Scott Carrier, coroner’s spokesman, said investigators are conducting toxicological and microscopic studies of Brown’s tissue, but do not suspect foul play. The official cause of death is not expected for at least two weeks, Carrier said.

Carrier said he spoke Monday morning to the singer, who flew in from Georgia after hearing of his wife’s death. “He’s very disturbed and very upset,” Carrier said.

Adrienne Brown, a Georgia resident, was pronounced dead at Century City Hospital, where she was taken by paramedics, according to a statement released by the hospital.

A former hairstylist who worked for television shows, Brown was married to James Brown for more than 10 years. Their relationship was stormy at times. Brown three times accused her husband, known as the “Godfather of Soul,” of assault, but dropped the charges.