Michael Jackson: Fans gather outside pop singer's home [Updated]

About a dozen reporters and photographers were gathered outside Michael Jackson’s rented Bel-Air home this afternoon as a news helicopter hovered above. Several tourist vans also stopped by the house just off Sunset Boulevard as tourists snapped photos of the large, black wrought-iron gates adorned with two large wreaths decorated with red ribbons.

Tourist Sue Mossell, 46, and her two sons, Ryan, 7, and Jimmy, 12, who were visiting from Georgia, were among those milling outside the house, which was blocked from view by trees and shrubbery. Mossell said the family was on a star tour the day before that included the Jackson house and decided to drive back this afternoon after hearing the news.

“I was in shock,” she said. “I mean, who hasn’t heard of Michael Jackson? I think we’re going to hear a lot more of his songs.”

Another tourist, Angelina Winkvist, 28, who was visiting from Sweden, said she also took a tour a day earlier that stopped by the Jackson house and rushed back today after hearing that Jackson had been taken to the hospital.

“It’s huge,” Winkvist said of Jackson’s death. “He’s one of the biggest stars in the world.”

A neighbor, Roxana Radnia, 21, said she had no idea the pop star was living at the house. She said she always saw cars parked out front and had worried about possible drug activity. Radnia said she was walking her dog, Maddie, about 1 p.m. today and saw three ambulances outside the house and a lot of commotion.

“I didn’t know what was going on,” she said. She said she was a big fan of Jackson and his music and had been looking forward to his comeback tour.

“He’s amazing,” she said. “I can’t believe this happened.”

[Updated at 4:35 p.m.: Karina LeBlanc, 29, a member of the Los Angeles soccer team Sol, who lives a block from Jackson’s Bel-Air house, said she drives by every day on her way to practice.

She said she saw Jackson once as he and his entourage were arriving at the house. LeBlanc said she heard helicopters hovering above the neighborhood this afternoon and turned on her TV to find out what was going on.

She said she was deeply saddened by the news. She said her soccer team always listened to his music before a game, particularly the song “Man in the Mirror.”

“He’s got the beat,” she said. “His music is so riveting and inspiring.”

She said the news was especially distressing because Jackson had gone through such a tough time in recent years. Still, it was hard to believe that he was dead, she said.]

-- Anna Gorman in Bel-Air

Comments

[Byron]

I dedicate my poem "Wings of Vision" (copyright 2009 ) to Michael Jackson who now lives beyond our limited material perception:

"May wings of vision life you to the essence of soft and glowing lights. May new birds of heaven's glory love you
through their songs of life. May the Spirit of Beauties break
her blossoms all about your chambered flights and guide you
to divine auroras where angels of celestial floras sing their
songs of light."

[Marcy Cowden]

Micheal Jackson will be greatly missed, and grieved by millions around the world. My deepest condolences go out to his family. Micheal was not just an icon ; he was the "KING" of pop. I hope and wish that the media will start to reference him by his rightfully earned title. He was the greatest of all time and there will never ever be another like him.

We love you Micheal and will miss you forever and always..

Marcy Styles-Cowden
Indianapolis, IN

[debbie madamba delara]

My sisters and brothers are MJ's big fans. The whole world will truly miss Michael Jackson, the ICON in our music industry. May GOD bless his family and children always!!!!!!
(Paranaque, PHILIPPINES)

[lola]

i love michael jackson rest in peace! since he loves singing he will sing to god and sing with god

[Hubbadubb]

I can't believe some of you. Leave his children out of the media spot light. It's bad enough what has happened, why would you want to drag the kids onto the world stage when they should be left alone to mourn in privacy with the rest of the fam. I never post comments on news articles, this time however was sickening enough I had to say something

[Asha]

i cant believe michael jackson died :(, it was so sudden! i never thought he would die so young.... was it true he had cancer aswell though?

[gil]

hey listen everyone, some of the talk i am hearing about this man is ugly. What ever happened to a person that had privacy. I do understand that he has done some things but some of the things i'm hearing are really ugly. Remember one day it might be you and/or someone you may know. I pray for you and all that you do to other's cause may come back/ sorry it will come back either to your children or someone you love dearly

[loneposse]

another one bites the dust!!!!!!

[caressa1704@yahoo.com]

hi my name is caressa perry i want to say to the jackson family that you have my prayers and i love and will miss you micheal jackson save a spot for me

[Danielle Mara Lima]

Uma estrela nunca morre, apenas muda de lugar. Michael Jackson sempre foi e sempre será uma estrela que continuará a brilhar em nossos corações. Não direi adeus, apenas até logo Michael...
"One star never died, it´s only change your place. Michael Jackson gone e always be one star and to be continued a shine in your´s heart´s. No say goodbye Michael, just say so long time ago..."
My english no is very well but I think your understand the messenge...

[tyronya]

me nd mii siter nd brother grow up listen tha jackson5 nd mii favroite song is bad nd smooth crimnal nd i am a big fan

[caitlin christiasnsen]

dear jacksons family,

hey Tito,jakie,jermaine,marlon, and mr.and mrs jackson,janet, latoya.I am so sorry of what happened to michael.I do imagine of what you are going threw.I am so sorry for ya'll.when i ever see a pictures of himI say to myslef and ask:why did we lose him?,How did we lose him? WHO HAVE WE LOST? the greatest dancer and writer of all time. who we've lost shall be remembered forever.like i alwasy say: heros may be rememberd, but legends NEVER die folo your heart it can never go ronge. so i hope you get this message so hope you get better for all we know he's were he belongs. REMEMBER michael he shall be in my heart everyones and others an most impotant yours
sincerlly,
caitlin christiansen

[mitchell foggo-ibbotson]

I THINK MICHAEL JACKSON WAS A GREAT SINGER. I WISH I COULD OV HAD A CHANCE 2 C HIM AS I THINK HIS MUSIC IS BRILLIANT. IM 6 YRS OLD AND HAVE 5 ALBUMS, CLOCK. ALARM CLOCK 2 PICTURES AND CAlander.

[sharyn ibbotson]

my heart goes out 2 the family ov michael jackson. my son mitchell likes his music and often copies off his dances. were always watching his videos and love 2 c his face when he gets a poster or a game,wish i could ov getting 2 take my 6 yr old 2 c michael. r.i.p