As news of Whitney Houston‘s tragic and sudden passing circulated online and off, Bobby Brown, Houston’s ex-husband and father of her only child, Bobbi Kristina, was understandably devastated by the news.

In a move that surprised many back then, Brown, known as a music industry “bad boy” and Houston, Clive Davis’ “Golden Child” were married in 1992 . The following year, the couple welcomed their daughter, Bobbi Kristina into the world.

After a tumultuous 15 year relationship, the two divorced in 2007.

According to on of Brown’s relatives, he immediately called family and friends upon hearing of Whitney Houston’s death.

“He wanted to tell everyone about it before it hit the news,” one of his relatives tells PEOPLE. “He didn’t want any of us to hear about it on television.”

As Brown spoke to family members, the shock of Houston’s sudden death turned to grief. “He could hardly get the words out when he called me,” says the relative. Continue Reading…