Whitney Houston file released by FBI, shows agency investigated singer's fan mail

Whitney Houston: 1963-2012

Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, died Saturday in Beverly Hills. She was 48.

The FBI has released its files on a trio of investigations the agency conducted on behalf of Whitney Houston.

The records, released Monday, reveal the agency investigated an alleged attempted extortion of the singer back in 1992.

Documents included in the 128-page file about Houston detail a time when someone the star “[considered] to be a friend” threatened to go public with personal information about the singer.

In one letter sent to Houston, the “friend” boasts to have already received several offers for the personal information about the singer that are “in the six figures range.” He then notes he would “expect a similar offer from you” if he decides not to go public with the information.

The FBI interviewed Houston about the alleged extortion, but the records from that conversation are heavily redacted.

Eventually, agents and prosecutors determined no extortion crime occurred.

The records also shed light on the FBI’s investigation into a seemingly obsessive Whitney fan. The unnamed fan sent Houston more than 79 letters, some of which are included in the file. He also sent letters to her family, friends and business associates, according to the documents.  

In one letter, the fan expresses his desire to meet Houston. “I might hurt someone with some crazy idea…” he writes.

He also threatens to take his story to The National Enquirer, in the hopes of getting the star to acknowledge him publicly.

After the investigation, agents also found no evidence of criminal threats in the fan mail. Copies of the letters were sent to the FBI in 1988 and 1999.

The Houston file covers the height of the Grammy-winning singer's popularity but does not contain any new personal details. The file was released in response to Freedom of Information Act requests submitted by FoxNews.com and other media.

Houston drowned in a hotel bathtub on the eve of the 2012 Grammy Awards.

Fox News' Jana Winter and the Associated Press contributed to this report.