Bobby Brown Pays Tribute to Late Former Mother-in-Law Cissy Houston: ‘May She Rest in Peace and Power’ (Exclusive)

Bobby Brown has broken his silence about the death of Cissy Houston.

On Monday, Oct. 7, the New Edition musician, 55, and his wife Alicia Etheredge-Brown shared an exclusive statement with PEOPLE following news that his former mother-in-law died at 91.

“Sending love and blessings to the Houston family on this great loss,” said Brown. “May she rest in Peace and Power. The Browns.”

Brown and Cissy’s late daughter Whitney Houston famously had a tumultuous relationship.

The former couple initially met in 1989 before they married in July 1992. Over the course of their 14-year marriage, they welcomed a daughter, Bobbi Kristina, while they focused on their respective careers. However, Brown and Whitney also dealt with addiction, alcoholism and marital strife.

The former pair endured addiction before their marriage, but over the years their challenges escalated: Brown was arrested for charges related to drunk driving and possession, while Houston sought treatment in rehab several times. (Houston died after accidentally drowning in a hotel bathtub at just 48 years old in 2012. A toxicology report found both prescription medications and cocaine in her system.)

Brown and Whitney ended up divorcing in April 2007.

Cissy remained protective of Whitney over the years, telling PEOPLE exclusively in 2016 that Brown’s bombshell 20/20 interview about his life with Whitney “was disturbing.”

“I am deeply disappointed that this interview to promote the story of Bobby’s life seemed to be more of an exposé on Whitney’s life,” she said.

On Monday, Oct. 7, legendary gospel musician Cissy died while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease at her home in New Jersey, her daughter-in-law Pat Houston confirmed.

“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family,” she said in a statement. “Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts.”

Pat added, “Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled . We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us and we are thankful for all the many valuable life lessons that she taught us. May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and other cherished family members.”