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Michael Jackson's body released to his family

Saturday, 27 June 2009

Jermaine Jackson, right, brother of Michael Jackson, is comforted after a news conference at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, Thursday, June 25, 2009

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Michael Jackson was back with his family today after his body was released by the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

Coroner Investigator Jerry McKibben said the King of Pop's body was returned to his family last night.

No funeral plans have been announced.

Jackson, who collapsed at his rented home in Los Angeles on Thursday, appeared to have suffered a heart attack.

The coroner's office, which has completed its post-mortem examination, said there are no signs of foul play or trauma, but determining the cause of death will require further tests that will take six to eight weeks.

A heart attack could help explain why Jackson was in the care of a cardiologist while he went through vigorous training for an upcoming series of concerts in London.

Coroner's spokesman Craig Harvey said Jackson was taking some prescription medications, but did not specify what they were.

Police seized the car of Dr Conrad Murray, a physician with a tangled financial and personal history, who was with Jackson when he fell ill.

Police said they believed the car may contain drugs or other evidence, but have insisted that Dr Murray has been co-operative and do not consider him a criminal suspect.

"We do not consider him to be unco-operative at this time," said police Deputy Chief Charlie Beck, noting that detectives spoke with the doctor after Jackson's death.

"We think that he will assist us in coming to the truth of the facts in this case."

Dr Murray, who was Jackson's physician for three years, was in the rented mansion when Jackson slipped into unconsciousness, and police were yesterday preparing to question him about what happened in the minutes before paramedics rushed to the home.

Records reveal years of financial troubles for Dr Murray, who practices medicine in California, Nevada and Texas. His Nevada medical practice, Global Cardiovascular Associates, was slapped with more than £250,000 dollars in court judgments, and he faces at least two other pending cases and several tax liens.

Concert promoter Randy Phillips revealed that Jackson insisted his company AEG Live hire Dr Murray to accompany the pop star to London for his comeback series of concerts.

"As a company, we would have preferred not having a physician on staff full-time because it would have been cheaper without the hotels and travel, but Michael was insistent that he be hired," Mr Phillips said. "Michael said he had a rapport with him."

Phillips said AEG Live advanced Jackson money to pay for Murray's services as part of the production costs. Phillips said he asked Jackson why he wanted Murray with him full-time.

"He just said, 'Look, this whole business revolves around me. I'm a machine and we have to keep the machine well-oiled,' and you don't argue with the King of Pop," Phillips said.

The promoter said that sometime in February Jackson submitted to "five-plus hours of physicals that the insurance underwriter insisted on. We were told he passed with flying colours."

Based on those results and the nature of the comeback shows, all of which were to be held at the same venue from July 13 to March, AEG Live wasn't concerned about Jackson's history of medical issues.

"This wasn't as strenuous as a tour. There was no travel," Phillips said. "He and the kids were going to be living in this beautiful home outside London and shows were spread out over six months. For him, it seemed like the perfect way to come back."

Phillips attended Jackson's rehearsal at Staples Center on Wednesday night, when the entertainer was on stage for about three hours before leaving at 12.30am.

"He was dancing as well or better than the 20-year-old dancers we surrounded him with," the promoter said. "He was riveting. I thought we were home free. I thought this was going to be the greatest live show ever produced. He looked great."

Phillips said AEG Live held multiple insurance policies covering cancellation of the shows.

"We had pretty good coverage, but a lot of it is going to depend on the toxicology results," he said. "We need to know what the cause of death was."

A 911 call released by fire officials yesterday shed light on the desperate effort at the mansion to save Jackson's life before paramedics arrived. Jackson died later at UCLA Medical Center.

In the recording, an unidentified caller pleads with authorities to send help, offering no clues about why Jackson was stricken. He tells a dispatcher that Jackson's doctor is performing CPR.

"He's pumping his chest," the caller says, "but he's not responding to anything."

Asked by the dispatcher whether anyone saw what happened, the caller answers: "No, just the doctor, sir. The doctor has been the only one there."

Lou Ferrigno, the star of "The Incredible Hulk," said he had been working out with Jackson for the past several months. Still, Jackson's health had been known to be precarious in recent years, and one family friend said that he had warned the entertainer's family about his use of painkillers.

"I said one day we're going to have this experience. And when Anna Nicole Smith passed away, I said we cannot have this kind of thing with Michael Jackson," Brian Oxman, a former Jackson attorney and family friend, told NBC's "Today" show.

"The result was I warned everyone, and lo and behold, here we are. I don't know what caused his death. But I feared this day, and here we are."

Oxman claimed Jackson had prescription drugs at his disposal to help with pain suffered when he broke his leg after he fell off a stage and for broken vertebrae in his back.

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87 Comments

hi am sending this to michaels jackson family i no its hard to say good by but he s not really gone he lives inside our hearts and his little kids to and hes always around in sprite like a angel whatching over every one he loves i no he is in heaven with god and jesus and he sings withh angels up there but remeber you will see him again in heaven in a new boby free of his pain and he is young again and you will be able to hold him again and say michael i love you i no how it fells to lose family i lose 3 brothers and 2 sisters to but i no safe free happy up there with jesus but as the way i seen michael in this world he was the most wonderful human i ever seen the kindness and love he showed fore hisfans the most i love a bout him was his heart how he help so many in need and his sweet voice when he sing there will never be a nother like him i pray for the whole family i see him on tv but never got to meet him but iam real sick so i no one day i will meet him in heaven

Posted by camill58 | 26.08.09, 17:08 GMT

Michael Jackson was an insparation to all of us and after his childhood was taken by his father he never wanted to let his kids have the same, all his life he tryed to avoid his kids being paped and Paris shouldent of been up on stage at his funeral. And I hope no one will judge those children because all they ever de was love that man like many of us did they didn't deserve to lose him

R.I.P Micheal Jackson my prayers are going out to the familly god bless you x

Posted by Jo | 09.07.09, 13:54 GMT

There are not any words that could begin to express how heart wrenching this is for me. The sound of your name brings tears to my eyes and pain to my heart. The only way I can cope right now is to pretend this is a nightmare wanting to wake up. You have been my inspiration in all that I have done. Your music has taught me so much, you were my teacher. I am who I am today because of you. If I could trade places with you I would, you still had so much to give. I will always love you, and until we are all together in heaven, may you live forever.

My heart goes out to his family and his children. Many Blessings to you all, and may michael live on thru us all.

Posted by Tonya | 08.07.09, 22:42 GMT

I like so many was raised with Michael.He has been there since I can remember.I have always loved him dearly.He was such a loving man,his heart was so big.I guess i have seen every interview he has done....he actually cared what people thought,& was hurt by so many words such as (jacko) in his own words"THATS NOT NICE".I read what i could take of the comments,& I noticed the ? being asked"would you allow him to care for your child?"My answer, YES i would & i would know she was safe.RIP Michael

Posted by Anne | 08.07.09, 09:54 GMT

to the family of michael jackson i want to send my deepst sympathy and to his mother a special sympathy as i also lost a son but with the comfort of family and god we will continue on bless you all love

Posted by peggy | 08.07.09, 00:06 GMT

Michael Jackson was a outstanding young man and he will be missed by everyone. he has touched so many people old in young. the people in the world has lost a wonderful man. well he is not lost, he is now in heaven resting and now he will be walking around heaven all day. i love him and i will always remember him he was not just the kiing of pop. he was the king

Posted by michael | 07.07.09, 16:46 GMT

Omg it don't feel rite knowing michael is dead I will never forget that man ever it's heart breaking it really is ps does anyone know the address to the jacksons family home in los angeles xx plz cud u put it on ta x

Posted by Jaz | 30.06.09, 18:39 GMT

everyone loved michael, he was a great dancer and singer. he inspired people like chris brown, usher and omarion and to see him gone is a very bad tragedy. i loved michael very much growing up. when his song beat it went on the charts i was only sixteen. and im so sad!

Rest In Peace

Posted by shyra | 30.06.09, 18:28 GMT

Trace states,'..we all know and love Michael'. News to me!

Posted by robbo | 29.06.09, 14:21 GMT

Is anyone else fed up of hearing about Michael Jackson. Are there not other people in the world dying?
He was a good entertainer but Elvis was a much better singer.

Posted by Liam | 29.06.09, 13:57 GMT

Love Michael, will miss him greatly!!! However, don't turn this into a circus!!!! i.e. (Elvis, Marilyn or John Kennedy) Let him rest in peace!!!

Posted by C&C | 29.06.09, 02:01 GMT

Michael Jackson The King Of Pop, June 25th, will be in my memories forever! I still can't believe he is gone:0(.. His music and videos will live on in our hearts and the future. I hope and pray that his family will fine peace in their hearts.
Linda Rivera Williams Realtor /Tucson Arizona

Posted by Linda R Williams | 28.06.09, 17:55 GMT

God rest his soul in peace

Posted by Tania | 28.06.09, 09:26 GMT

"Maybe if they mentioned that this was Jackson the emergency team would have been more enthusiastic." Yeah because one life is worth so much more than another! The guy on the phone did all that he could, he established there was a doctor at the scene and confirmed that the doc was more qualified than him to make the call and that an ambulance was on its way.

Posted by Marsey | 28.06.09, 01:06 GMT

Is he going to be buried as a Muslim?

Posted by Q | 27.06.09, 18:59 GMT

Listening to the call as an ER nurse, the caller does not seem to be reacting as if this just happened. It sounds like this started a while beforehand. Chect pain, symptoms that meant he should have been transported much sooner. Pumping his chest, an MD was not bagging him , if this dr was with him all of the time, did he have CRASH type equip with him to be prepared for an emergency?
I just do not understand, it sounds like a slow code, they take their time getting it taken care of, no urgency!

Posted by Teisha | 27.06.09, 17:34 GMT

Never mind MJ, we also lost the great 60's garage & psychedelic rock legend Sky 'Sunlight' Saxon! Little known but sorely missed... RIP SKY.

Posted by napper | 27.06.09, 17:23 GMT

I think the funeral should be private, and should be a public memorial service that if the family decide they want it.

We all know and love Michael, but right now the family needs to come together and grieve privately.

Posted by Traci | 27.06.09, 16:19 GMT

I think the funeral should be private, and should be a public memorial service some time in the future.

We all know and love Michael, but right now the family needs to come together and grieve privately.

Posted by Number One Fan | 27.06.09, 16:05 GMT