Spent The Last Night

Houston-based cardiologist Dr. Conrad Murray poses in this undated handout photograph provided by Stradley, Chernoff & Alford law firm in Houston, Texas. Murray is the former doctor of the late entertainer Michael Jackson.

The reports that Michael Jackson spent the last night in his bedroom are not true -- we've learned Jackson spent his last hours in Dr. Conrad Murray's bedroom ... in Dr. Murray's bed. Multiple law enforcement sources tell us Jackson did not want people going in and out of his room, so he used Dr. Murray's bedroom for his IV Propofol. We're told Dr. Murray administered the Propofol to Jackson hours before he died, while the singer lay in Murray's bed.

Law enforcement believes Dr. Murray may have been using his room almost nightly to administer Propofol to Jackson. Emergency workers found an IV stand, an empty IV bag and oxygen tanks in Dr. Murray's room. And as we first reported, the Monday after Jackson died, cops found a stash of Propofol and other drugs hidden in a closet connected to Dr. Murray's room.

We've already reported Dr. Murray left the room at some point when Jackson was receiving an IV drip of Propofol and may have fallen asleep. Cops believe by the time he awakened Jackson's heart may have already stopped beating.

We're told Dr. Murray was not in Jackson's house during the day. He would show up in the evening and leave in the morning. Law enforcement believes the doctor may have regularly gone to Jackson's home at night to administer Propofol so the singer could sleep.

Law enforcement believes Dr. Murray could have discovered Jackson sometime around 9 AM the day of his death. One theory cops are working under ... after discovering Jackson either in distress or dead, Dr. Murray called two employees at his medical office in Houston and told them to go to his storage unit and remove certain boxes. Both women told TMZ Dr. Murray did not call them but cops are dubious. The stories of the two women conflict -- one says a box of dirty needles was retrieved; the other says she went to retrieve a chair.

As for what may have been in the boxes, law enforcement is investigating whether Dr. Murray had Propofol delivered to his Houston medical office ... possibly put in his storage unit ... and then FedEx'd to Los Angeles as needed. Dr. Murray rented the storage unit April 1 and the staff went back on 4 different occasions before Jackson's death. We know when the DEA raided Dr. Murray's Houston medical office, they seized a rolodex card with FedEx information.

Sources : TMZ.com
Photo : Daylife.com

NUMBER 7

-- Michael Jackson signed his will on 7/7/02.
-- Michael Jackson's memorial was on 7/7/09 ... exactly 7 years after the will was signed.
-- Michael Jackson's two biggest hits -- "Black & White" and "Billie Jean" -- were each #1 for 7 weeks.
-- Michael Jackson's three biggest albums -- "Thriller," "Bad" and "Dangerous" -- each produced 7 top 40 hits.
-- Michael Jackson was the 7th of 9 children.
-- Michael Jackson was born in 1958 ... 19 + 58 = 77
-- Michael Jackson died on the 25th ... 2 + 5 = 7
-- Michael Jackson has 7 letters in his first and last name.


Michael's Daughter: 'I Love Him So Much

Michael Jackson's only daughter, 11-year-old Paris Michael Katherine, just gave an emotional speech at her father's memorial service -- saying he was the "best father you could ever imagine. I love him so much."

Sources : TMZ.com

Photo : Daylife.com

Free Tickets

Michael Jackson's memorial service will be held at two separate venues on Tuesday morning -- the main event will be at the Staples Center and a simulcast will play at the Nokia Theatre. A lottery has been set up for fans to obtain the free tickets -- and they can sign up for the random drawing on the Staples Center website ... good luck logging on.

17,500 tickets are available for the event -- 11,000 for Staples and 6,500 for Nokia -- which will be divvied out 2 per person. If you are one of the 8,750 people selected, you will then be alerted on Sunday with further instructions. Oh yeah ... only U.S. residents can apply. Also, the family wouldn't say if Michael's body would be at the memorial.

Source : TMZ.com

Money Back or a Souvenir

Michael Jackson fans who paid in advance for the singer's UK concerts have been offered their money back or a souvenir ticket as an alternative. Promoter AEG Live said the tickets feature graphics "inspired and designed" by the music legend, who died at the age of 50 on Thursday. An estimated 800,000 people paid £50-£75 to watch the star perform 50 concerts at London's 02 arena.

The company will not be printing any further tickets as collectables. It adds that the originals will become collectors' items, and feature special images which give them a 3D moving effect. Fans have until 14 Aug to take up the offer of receiving the original tickets for the This Is It dates.


Michael Jackson rehearsing on 23rd June Jackson sparkled in rehearsals, said photographer Kenny Mazur. AEG also released pictures of Jackson rehearsing in Los Angeles for the concerts just days before he died. Photographer Kevin Mazur, who captured his image several times in the 1980s, said: "When he hit the stage at rehearsal, I was thrilled that the magical Michael Jackson was back.

"I felt the same adrenaline rush as when I photographed him the first time moonwalking." AEG president Randy Phillips said of Jackson: "The world lost a kind soul who just happened to be the greatest entertainer the world has ever known. "Since he loved his fans in life, it is incumbent upon us to treat them with the same reverence and respect after his death." Ticket holders can get information about refunds or keeping the tickets at www.michaeljacksonlive.com from Wednesday.

Sources : BBC.Com
Photos : BBC.Com

Michael Jackson funeral

Michael Jackson's father has said the family will wait for the results of a second post-mortem before finalising plans for the pop stars's funeral. Joe Jackson told reporters in Los Angeles the ceremony would have "some private" elements but "not closed down all the way to the public". The music legend will not be buried at the Neverland ranch, Mr Jackson added. The results of a first post-mortem will not be released for several weeks while toxicology tests are concluded.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's office said there was no evidence of foul play after an autopsy on Friday, but gave no cause of death. At the BET Awards ceremony on Sunday, Mr Jackson said he had "a lot of concerns" about the circumstances surrounding his son's death.

Meanwhile, Jackson's mother Katherine has been granted temporary guardianship of his three children by a court. A further hearing will be held on 3 August to determine whether she will be granted permanent custody of her grandchildren. Her lawyer said the family had not heard from Deborah Rowe, the biological mother of Jackson's eldest children. The singer's youngest son was born to a surrogate mother whose identity has never been revealed.

Jackson, who died suddenly last week, left three children - Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, known as Prince Michael, 12, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II. Family lawyer Londell McMillan told broadcaster NBC: "I don't think there will be anybody who thinks there is someone better" than Mrs Jackson to be given custody. Documents also show that Mrs Jackson has petitioned to take over the children's estate, the value of which is unknown. They confirm that the youngsters are currently staying under her care at the Jackson family compound.

The court documents state that Ms Rowe's whereabouts are unknown, while "none" is stated next to the entry for the mother of Prince Michael II. They also say that the children "have a long-established relationship with [their] paternal grandmother and are comfortable in her care". According to the legal papers filed on behalf of the family, Jackson died without a valid will. But The Wall Street Journal reported that a will was drafted by the singer in 2002, which divided his estate between his mother, children and a number of charities.

Source : BBC. Com
Photo : Daylife.com

Dr. Conrad Murray statement

A source close to the family of Michael Jackson tells TMZ the family has requested a second autopsy -- and it is currently underway somewhere in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Coroner conducted an autopsy on Friday and while he said there was "no indication of foul play," the official cause of death could not be determined.



The LAPD interviewed Michael Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, and released this statement:

"Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician who was with Michael Jackson at the time of his collapse, voluntarily contacted the Los Angeles Police Department. Detectives assigned to Robbery-Homicide Division met with Dr. Murray and conducted an extensive interview. Dr. Murray was cooperative and provided information which will aid the investigation."
A source close to the family of Michael Jackson tells TMZ if Debbie Rowe reaches out to them, and wants to see her kids, they won't stand in the way.

However, we're told the family is holding strong in its position that the kids should stay with their grandmother Katherine. We're told the family believes it would be "unfair" for the kids to grow up not knowing their biological mother.

Sources : TMZ.com
Photo : Daylife.com

No Funeral Arrangements

Michael Jackson's body was taken to an undisclosed mortuary tonight. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office released Jackson's body to his family late Friday night. No funeral arrangements have been announced.

We've learned at least five detectives from LAPD robbery-homicide met with members of Michael Jackson's family at Michael's Holmby Hills home. Sources tell us both the cops and family had requested the meeting. The family wanted to know about "the circumstances surrounding Michael's death." The cops wanted information that could help them determine what killed Michael. We're told Katherine, Joe and several brothers were present.

Joe Jackson, father of the late pop star Michael Jackson, right, waves to supporters as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, left, and his son Jesse Jackson Jr. look on outside the Jackson family home in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles on Friday, June 26, 2009.

The meeting is over -- one of the cops just told us he believes "no crime" was committed inside Michael's home. One question investigators will have for Michael Jackson's personal physician -- did he botch early CPR efforts on the King of Pop? On the 911 tape obtained by TMZ, one of Jackson's staffers tells the dispatcher that Jackson is "on the bed" and that a "doctor is here." The doctor is Dr. Conrad Murray.

Several EMTs tell us it's odd that a veteran cardiologist like Murray would attempt CPR while Jackson was on a bed. Common CPR practices call for the patient to be on a hard surface -- because it is difficult to compress the chest on a soft surface. The 911 operator told the staffer to "get him on the floor." Cops have yet to officially interview Dr. Murray, but this will almost certainly come up.

Sources : TMZ. com
Photo : Daylife.com

Autopsy has been Completed

The L.A. County Coroner just announced Michael Jackson's autopsy has been completed -- but more testing is needed before the official cause of death can be determined. The coroner said the cause of death was deferred because additional testing -- including toxicology and other tests -- is needed. It will take 4-6 weeks to complete.

There was no trauma to Michael's body and "no indication of foul play" -- but he said Michael had been taking "some prescription medications." He said Michael was pronounced dead in the emergency room of UCLA. Jackson's body will be released after 6 PM. Michael Jackson's family will wage an epic battle to make sure Paris and Michael Jr. do not end up in the custody of one Debbie Rowe -- this according to family members who spoke with TMZ.


The family is currently gathered together and they are reacting to our story this morning that Rowe never legally gave up her custody rights. Under California law, Rowe is in a position to get custody of her biological kids if she wants them, provided it would not be detrimental to the children. The family complained to us the kids don't even know Debbie Rowe -- she hasn't been a part of their lives. They say the kids must remain "within the family."

Source : TMZ.Com
Photo : Daylife.com

Autopsy Today

The Los Angeles County coroner's office will perform an autopsy today on Michael Jackson as officials attempt to piece together details of the pop star's death at age 50. Jackson died as he was preparing a comeback, with 50 shows scheduled for London this year. Johnny Caswell, a principal at Centerstaging, the Burbank soundstage where Jackson had been rehearsing, said Jackson was "very frail" but approached the rehearsals -- including one the night before his death that witnesses at Staples Center called triumphant -- with boundless energy. "He was working hard," Caswell said.

The circumstances of Jackson's death remain unclear. LAPD robbery-homicide detectives have opened an investigation, though they stressed that there was no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. The detectives plan to interview relatives, friends and Jackson's doctors to try to figure out what happened.


Detectives have been swarming Jackson's Holmby Hills home and impounded a car at the home last night. LAPD Lt. Gregg Strenk told reporters outside the mansion that Police Chief William J. Bratton assigned detectives to the case because of Jackson's high profile. "Don't read anything into it," he said.

Results of the autopsy could take weeks and will include, as is common practice, toxicology to determine what drugs if any were in Jackson's system. A Los Angeles Fire Department source told The Times that Jackson was in full cardiac arrest Thursday when rescue units arrived on scene. A doctor was in the house performing CPR on him, said the source, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the news media. Jermaine Jackson told reporters at the hospital that medical personnel made a heroic effort to revive his brother.

"His personal physician, who was with him [at the house] at the time, attempted to resuscitate my brother, as did paramedics," he said. "A team of highly skilled doctors, including emergency physicians and cardiologists, attempted to resuscitate him for a period of more than one hour, but were unsuccessful."

Source : La Times
Photo : Daylife.com

Refunding Ticket

The repercussions of Michael Jackson's death will have a serious, damaging impact to concert promoter AEG, the full effects of which may not be known for months to come. More than $85 million worth of tickets have been sold to Jackson's 50-date run at London's O2 Arena, which was slated to begin in about two weeks on July 13, according to Billboard's touring guru Ray Waddell.

Promoter AEG Live cut a deal with ticket reseller Viagogo, where some fans paid into the multi-thousands to see Jackson's run in London. It would have been his first major live performances in more than a decade.

Waddell writes that refunding the $85 million "will be messy, as well as expensive, and it will need to happen quickly by law," as tickets were purchased by fans in multiple countries, and may ultimately depend on the cause of death and level of insurance AEG secured.

Writes Waddell:

AEG's yearly financial results may now depend on Jackson's cause of death. One entertainment insurance industry insider says that if Jackson died from a drug overdose or a preexisting condition, the producer could be on the hook for any loss -- which would include any money already sunk into the production, as well as the considerable cost of refunding consumers for the 750,000 tickets already purchased. If Jackson signed a contract saying he would return his advance in the event he didn't perform, the company could end up in court with a long line of other Jackson creditors.

Waddell writes that even if AEG had a nonappearance policy written into the insurance, that doesn't necessarily mean Jackson's death would be covered. As previously reported by The Times, more than $20 million had been sunk into Jackson's concerts by AEG. Billboard reports that AEG stood to gross as much as $115 million, once merchandise sales were factored in.

Source : La Times
Photo : Daylife.com

911 call

TMZ has just received a tape of the Michael Jackson 911 call made yesterday at 12:21 PM from Michael's house in Holmby Hills, Ca. The person who makes the call says Jackson was not breathing and unconscious. Jackson was not responding to CPR. The caller says the doctor on scene -- Dr. Conrad Murray -- was the only witness -- "The doctor has been the only one here." We have just learned Dr. Conrad Robert Murray -- the guy who was with Jackson when he collapsed -- is now in Los Angeles.He is preparing to speak with law enforcement officials regarding Michael Jackson's death.

When EMTs arrived at Michael Jackson's home yesterday, the medics wanted to pronounce him dead on the scene -- but Michael's personal doctor refused to let them "call it" -- this according to sources close to the situation.

When EMTs arrived there was evidence someone had been performing CPR on Michael for "quite some time." There was evidence of Lidocaine -- an old-school drug that can be used to treat disturbances in the heart's rhythm. Medics took over performing CPR but determined Jackson was lifeless -- and wanted to call the coroner to pick up the body. We're told Jackson was flat-lined when EMTs arrived.

But our sources say M.J.'s doc demanded EMTs continue performing CPR anyway, and demanded that they take Michael to the hospital. Once they arrived at UCLA, we're told Jackson's doc continued to personally administer CPR -- even though it was clear Jackson was already gone. The doctor who was with Michael Jackson at the time of his death has been identified as a cardiologist from Houston, Texas.

KHOU in Houston reports the man is Dr. Conrad Robert Murray, who had been living with Jackson in his rented mansion. We're told Murray attempted to revive Michael until paramedics showed up at the scene. The station reports the car that was towed from Michael's house last night was registered to Murray's sister. Law enforcement is looking for the doctor so they can question him.
Sources : TMZ.com

Investigation

Los Angeles police have launched an investigation into the sudden death of pop superstar Michael Jackson, who died yesterday aged 50. Despite officially acknowledging that there was “no evidence of criminal wrongdoing”, officers from LAPD’s homicide division are leading an inquiry into Michael Jackson's demise.

His friends, family and associates are to be interrogated by detectives, and the city coroner will conduct a formal inquest. Jackson was reported to have collapsed at his suburban home at lunchtime and was rushed to the Ronald Regan emergency room at UCLA hospital where he suffered a cardiac arrest. The actual cause of death is, however not known.

According to the Los Angeles Times his personal doctor – who happened to be with him at home at the time - tried to resuscitate the star while awaiting the arrival of the paramedics. His brother, Jermaine Jackson, praised the rescue team and said they and the doctor had made “heroic efforts” to save Michael. "A team of highly skilled doctors, including emergency physicians and cardiologists, attempted to resuscitate him [at the hospital] for a period of more than one hour, but were unsuccessful," he said.

Jackson was in full cardiac arrest when rescue units arrived at his home, according to a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman. His body was taken by helicopter to the coroner’s office late.

Source : Daylife.com-The Telegraph

Start of a Long Battle

The Jacksons' family lawyer Brian Oxman said any remains of the king of pop's fortune, his property and his children could all be fought over in the courtroom. He predicted that the singer's death "will be probably the start of a long battle".

Mr Oxman told CBS's Early Show: "We will have to see how that plays out in a court of law. I suspect that the death of Michael Jackson is only the beginning of the legal battles over not only his property, but also his children."

He also told US Weekly that the star's three children – Prince Michael Jackson II (sometimes known as Blanket), seven, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael, 12 – "are doing fine". "They are in the care of a nanny," he said. "Ms Jackson (the singer's mother, Katherine) will care for them and I'm sure there will be all kinds of discussions that will take place about the kids."

The 50-year-old singer's body was flown in a police helicopter from the UCLA medical centre to a waiting ambulance which took it to the Los Angeles county coroner's office last night. A post mortem examination will take place later but the results are not likely to be final until toxicology tests are completed, a process that could take several days and maybe weeks, LA county coroner investigator Jerry McKibben said.

No details have been released by the family regarding any future arrangements but speculation surrounds what will happen next. According to some reports, Jackson converted to Islam last November in a ceremony with an imam in Los Angeles, which would mean he would need to be buried as soon as possible. But there have been doubts over the conversion and Jackson, who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, never spoke publicly about it.

The demand for a mass public service is likely to be high. Tributes to the superstar flooded in within seconds of the news breaking last night and hordes of fans flocked to the medical centre to pay their respects. Any funeral or memorial service is likely to be compared with that of Elvis Presley and James Brown as millions mourn his death in their own way around the world.

In London, Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed has already promised to erect a Michael Jackson memorial at the store and various memorial events are being planned by fans, many using the internet to spread the message.

Source : The Telegraph

Heavy Dose of Morphine

Michael Jackson took a "heavy dose of morphine" before his death, according to members of his family, who had expressed concerns about the singer's use of painkilling drugs. Police have launched an investigation and sealed off Jackson's house as a crime scene. Two cars have been towed away for forensic examination.

Jackson's dependence on prescription medication had become so severe that his father, Joe, wanted him admitted to rehab, showbusiness website TMZ reported, citing unnamed family members.

At recent rehersals to prepare for his series of 50 concerts at London's O2 Area, Jackson was said to be "listless" and lethargic. He last performed on Wednesday night, 12 hours before the emergency services were called to his Los Angeles home. Following that performance he reportedly took a painkilling injection of Demerol, a commercial name for the morphine-based drug pethidine.

Pethidine is known to have dangerous side effects including cardiac arrest if used wrongly. Police found a supply of the drug and syringes at Jackson's previous home, the Neverland Ranch near Santa Barbara, California, five years ago as part of their investigation into child abuse.

The 50-year-old star, who wrote a song called Morphine in the late 1990s, is thought to have become hooked on painkillers after suffering burns to his face while filming a Pepsi commercial in 1984. Toxicology tests will be carried out on his body and an autopsy is likely to be undertaken today. His body was flown to the coroner's office by helicopter.

His recent bid to prepare for his comback, including rehersals lasting up to 10 hours, had left him weak and gaunt, according to members of his crew. "He was frail, you might say," said Patrick Woodroffe, a lighting director. However he added that the singer seemed to have enjoyed a burst of energy in what would prove to be his final performance ever. "He came on stage and he was electric. It was like he had been holding back and suddenly he was performing as one had remembered him in the past."

Paramedics were called to the Los Angeles home rented by Jackson just after noon on Thursday. He was rushed to UCLA Medical Centre where doctors battled in vain for an hour to save his life. He was pronounced dead at 2.26pm, with family members at his bedside. Jackson lived as a virtual recluse following his 2005 acquittal on charges including child molestation and kidnap.

He repeatedly denied undergoing cosmetic surgery, despite very visible changes to his face and skin tone, and was criticised for forcing his children to wear veils whenever they were in public.

Michael Jackson died

Paramedics who responded to an emergency call to his home in Los Angeles said that he had stopped breathing by the time they arrived. Sources at the UCLA Medical Centre said that the self-styled "King of Pop" did not come out of a coma and died. Michael Jackson's mother and other relatives had rushed to the singer's bedside at the hospital, while tearful fans gathered outside.

Earlier, the singer's father Joe said he had been told his son was "in a bad way". Other unnamed family members said that Jackson "was in really bad shape". Jackson is widely credited with revolutionising pop music with albums including Bad and Thriller, but his career was tainted with allegations of child abuse. He was due to perform a highly-anticipated 50-date "farewell" residency at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, south London, starting next month. Fears for his health emerged after he postponed the first dates.

Jackson lived as a virtual recluse following his 2005 acquittal on charges including child molestation and plotting to kidnap his young accuser. Despite his acquittal, the trial was a body blow from which the pop superstar struggled to recover.

Four years later, Jackson is still worshipped by fans and lauded by critics, for his infectious, dance pop music. The attention, however, paid to him in recent years has been less flattering, focusing on repeated cosmetic surgery - which he always denied - his baby-dangling antics and a decade of child abuse claims.

His friend, the performer Uri Geller, said last night there had been no indication that the singer was in such a frail condition."I'm absolutely devastated and shocked. I really have no words," he said. "He was a young and terribly fit man and he was getting ready for performances in England. He was just fine, the last I heard."

Matt Blank from the Michael Jackson World Network fan club said he was "a bit dumfounded and a bit shellshocked by it all". He added: "I find it hard to believe this could be a reality.

"In the past, health issues of Michael Jackson have always been rumoured. I can only imagine this is down to the amount of stress he was under to come out and perform."He added: "It's just unimaginable that Michael Jackson is no more, it's just unbelievable." Brian Oxman, a Jackson family lawyer, told CNN he was told by the star's brother, Randy Jackson, that he had collapsed at his home in west Los Angeles.

A cardiologist at UCLA told showbiz website TMZ.com that Jackson died of cardiac arrest after failing to respond to attempts at resuscitation. It also said his sister LaToya ran into the hospital sobbing. A spokesman for the hospital declined to comment. Jackson last toured 12 years ago when he played 82 shows in 58 cities for the HIStory tour. He has spent time living outside the United States since his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges.

AEG Live, which organised the O2 concerts, said Jackson had passed a lengthy physical exam in early 2009, before the London concerts were announced. Born in 1958, Jackson made his musical debut with four of his older brothers in the Jackson Five before launching his solo career. As his life was complicated by his meteoric rise to fame, he also started undergoing a dramatic physical transformation.

In 1994, he married Lisa Marie Presley, the 26-year-old daughter of Elvis Presley. The couple separated two years later and Jackson later remarried Debbie Rowe, a 37-year-old nurse he met while undergoing plastic surgery in 1997. They had two children, Prince Michael and Paris Michael Katherine, before divorcing in 1999. Jackson had custody of the two children and of a third, Prince Michael II, whose mother's name has never been made public.

Source : The Telegraph