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Michael Jackson's family gather to plan funeral

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's relatives were today gathering at the family home to plan funeral arrangements and care for his three children.

They are feeling confused, upset and angry by the lack of information about those who were around the pop superstar in his final days, said a person close to the family.

They want to know more specifics about what role AEG, the concert promoter that was staging his 50-date concert series at London's 02 Arena, was playing in his life.

They also want to know more about the role of his advisers and representatives, who they believe were put in place by the promoter.

Jackson never communicated to his family who he had in place to handle his business affairs, a source close to the family said, adding that they were told by the singer's phalanx of advisers that the singer likely had a will, but it may be many years old.

The family is distrustful of what they are being told - but they are determined to find out more, the person said.

"There are decisions going down without the family being in the loop; it's becoming an issue," the person said.

Randy Phillips, AEG Live president and chief executive, said yesterday that it was Jackson who insisted that Dr Conrad Murray, a financially troubled cardiologist who was with the entertainer when he collapsed on Thursday, be put on the tour payroll.

"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," Phillips said.

"Michael said he had a rapport with him."

Jackson collapsed at his rented home in Los Angeles. Police seized Murray's car in search of evidence, but have insisted that the doctor has been co-operative and do not consider him a criminal suspect.

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

The person close to the family said that while there were reports that the singer was distant from his family, Jackson spoke with his mother Katherine quite regularly and his father, Joe, had seen his son shortly before his death.

His other eight siblings, including fellow superstar Janet, may not have talked to him recently but were not estranged.

Much of the family was holed up inside the Jackson family's Encino compound, including his three children, according to the person, who described them as doing "pretty good."

"I don't think it's fully set in yet," the person said.

No family members were present in the mansion when Jackson died, the source said. In the 911 call released by fire officials, an unidentified caller tells a dispatcher that Jackson's doctor is performing CPR.

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."

Coroner's officials said they released Jackson's body to his family late last night. The family is still trying to determine what kind of memorial to have for Jackson and when, and are debating between the idea of having a private ceremony or a grand celebration open to the public, the person close to the family said.

Jackson appeared to have suffered a heart attack.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office said there were no signs of foul play or trauma, but determining the cause of death will require further tests that will take six to eight weeks.

Phillips said AEG Live held multiple insurance policies covering cancellation of the shows, and that some time in February Jackson submitted to several hours of physicals that the insurance underwriter insisted upon, and that Jackson passed them all.

"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 candlelight vigil to remember Jackson's life and legacy is planned this weekend at the original home of Motown Records in Detroit.

The Motown Historical Museum says the vigil at the Hitsville USA building will begin at midnight GMT on Sunday. The historic Detroit building was the launching pad for the late pop superstar's career.

People have been visiting Hitsville to pay their respects to Jackson.

Hitsville includes Studio A, where Jackson recorded as a member of The Jackson 5.

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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