Michael Jackson: Fans crowd outside hospital
Outside the pristine white walls of the emergency room at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the valets stood idle this afternoon and dark-suited men moved back and forth between the entrance and black SUVs.
Two groups of fraternity members blasted Michael Jackson songs from dueling banks of boom boxes outside the emergency room entrance.
In the circular driveway, a woman who identified herself as Michael Jackson’s cousin waited pensively with a friend. A harried man in a suit got out of his car and barked into his cellphone: “Did Latoya come in?”
Suddenly, the sound of Jackson's music blared from speakers erected on the balcony of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house across the street.
“Oh, now they’re playing Michael Jackson,” the suited man declared in exasperation into his phone.
As the music continued, a gaggle of crying young girls gathered in the emergency room driveway until police moved them and all the other bystanders back onto the sidewalk. There seemed to be a waiting game for members of Jackson’s family.
“Janet hasn’t gotten here yet,” the cousin said into her cellphone.
Everyone seemed to want to get a glimpse of the family members. As the crowd, grew the Jackson's hit “Human Nature” wafted through the air from the speakers.
-- Carla Hall
EDITOR'S PICKS:
apart from a prurient interest in what he eventually died from, I have no interest in this story whatsoever
Posted by: P.Doe | June 25, 2009 at 05:14 PM
RIP Jeff and Michael. This is one of the worst days ever
Posted by: Typhoon1930 | June 25, 2009 at 05:23 PM
While my sympathies are with his family. His death is no different then anyone else. Where are the crowds when our soldiers are killed daily?
Posted by: give me a break | June 25, 2009 at 05:25 PM
R.I.P Michael Jackson you are and always be our king of pop.
Posted by: katie | June 25, 2009 at 05:27 PM
Genius is away from the world
Posted by: JK | June 25, 2009 at 05:30 PM
how soon do you think all the conspiracy theories shall surface? He was broke, and cancelled many concerts before and was due to play 50 concerts in London....insurance scam? Ooohhh
Posted by: paige | June 25, 2009 at 05:33 PM
IM JUSTGOING TO SAY WOT IM FEELING, IM SURE YOU ARE GETTING ENUFF, IM SORRY.
I AM VERY SORRY TO THE FAMILY. IVE NEVER BELEIVED WOT THE MEDDIER HAS SAID, ABOUT MICHEAL., AS U NO AS MCH AS ME ITS GOING TO BE ON TELE 24/7. NOW...
IM KEEPING OUT OF IT, I HOPE YOU WILL TRY GRIEVE IN YOUR OWN WAY, WITH OUT THE PRESS. I HOPE YOU WILL ALL BE OK..
GOD BLESS YOIU ALL.XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Posted by: donna sach | June 25, 2009 at 05:37 PM
I haven't been this upset since Roy Scheider died.
Posted by: HollywoodStreets | June 25, 2009 at 05:40 PM
I understand Bubbles is inconsolable.
Posted by: Liberian Girl | June 25, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Iconic. Another legend...gone, but never forgotton.
Posted by: 4real | June 25, 2009 at 05:42 PM
Michael Jackson's death is more of a milestone to this country and world thanJjohn Lennon's or Elvis Presley's.
Posted by: brian Kelly brooklyn, ny | June 25, 2009 at 05:45 PM
I don't think there's never been so many people being sad at the same time for the same reason. Michael, I wish you could see right now how half the world is crying for you. You've been the greatest. I liked your music but I wasn't your greatest fan; your death's making my teras drop. And that explains your greatness. You'll never be forgotten.
Posted by: Biel | June 25, 2009 at 05:45 PM
Thank you Michael,...for the gift of your music,talent, and inspiration! You will live on Forever!,..........
Posted by: Steve Webb | June 25, 2009 at 06:08 PM
REST...REST...REST IN PEACE...WHILE THE REST OF US TRY TO REST WITHOUT YOU.
Posted by: KIMMICO | June 25, 2009 at 06:18 PM
Michael Jackson was my inspiration , y ou will be missed.. i love you .. Rest in Peace ..
Posted by: rebecca vallecillio | June 25, 2009 at 06:25 PM
GOD WRAP YOUR LOVING ARMS AROUND THIS FAMILY. mICHAEL YOU WILL BE TRULY MISSED,BUT YOUR SPIRIT WILL ALWAYS BE AROUND.
Posted by: SHARRON WALLACE | June 25, 2009 at 06:51 PM
P.Doe if you are not interested in the story then why are you speaking about it? Seems like you are interested, and interested enough to say something. Maybe someone will say the same thing about you when you expire. Matter of a fact I wouldn't doubt it.
Posted by: honey | June 25, 2009 at 07:05 PM
i've always loved you michael jackson and was absolutely sure of your innocence as a children-loving man. when most of the people he trusted turned against him he felt really lonely and that feeling almost killed him before his real death.dear michael rest in peace may Allah have mercy on you brother and i hope that you will finally find the happiness, comfort and true love that you were seeking in this world but never found. i'm not sad that you died for i'm sure that you are now more comfortable by the will of Allah.praise be to Allah the all mighty for guiding this good man to the right path before he died.
Posted by: zach salem | June 25, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Although their are conflicting opinions of his innocence, we must refrain from judging Michael. We all have our personal demons we face and can do so privately, unknown. To where do you escape when you are Michael? To whom do you turn that will be your friend with no agenda? The gifts bestowed upon him we shall continue to enjoy. May God hold his family in His unfailing hands.
Posted by: JUDY | June 25, 2009 at 08:55 PM
We will always love you Michael, the King of Pop, the greatest entertainer of all time.
Posted by: Desh G | June 25, 2009 at 10:24 PM
You was a ideal ikon, now still belong you to the immortal famous. R.I.P (ISU from hungary)
Posted by: ISU | June 26, 2009 at 01:29 AM
Love Mike. You were a true icon. I will miss you.
Posted by: Vinod | June 26, 2009 at 03:52 AM
I will always love you MJ you have left a impact on my life and
there were no songs you have ever done/ made i did not like and all of them had a special meaning you will be truly missed
i love you very much may your soul rest in peace
Posted by: TAG | June 26, 2009 at 06:09 AM
Michael! You will remains always in my heart. My thoughts are with all jackson family at this hard moment!
Posted by: aljofre | June 26, 2009 at 06:38 AM
You will always be in my mind. Rest In Peace MJ!
Posted by: todd | June 26, 2009 at 07:11 AM