Ray J releases Whitney Houston statement: 'Nippy I miss you'

rRay J, Whitney Houston's on-again-off-again boyfriend (they were on again at the time of her death on Saturday, Feb 11), has been very quiet since the singer tragically passed away in her tub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Now, he's released a statement via KTLA about her passing.

"Over the past few days I've tried to process the emptiness that I am experiencing. What my heart feels cannot be expressed in words. The world lost an icon but I lost my close friend. Nippy I miss you so much! You were so happy and full of love. Your smile will live in my heart forever.

Ray J Norwood"

Ray J and Whitney were seen together at the Kelly Price & Friends Unplugged: For The Love Of R&B pre-Grammy event two days before her death. The two have been dating on and off since 2009. On the day of Whitney's death, Ray J accompanied his sister, Brandy, at the Ne-Yo And Compound 4th Annual Pre-Grammy Midnight Brunch.