Michael Jackson's death: Coroner to perform autopsy

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."

-- Andrew Blankstein and Richard Winton

Comments

[Wendy]

Why is the LAPD devoting more resources to this than they would for an ordinary citizen? That is wrong.

[einbein]

I agree with Wendy, it's wrong. However, it's just another indicator regarding the many malfunctions in our society today. MJ had or was associated to $$ and that "talks" in the US. While I too grieve MJ's death and feel for his family, it's over on earth for MJ. May he RIP

[Sabyasachi]

That's because HE is MICHAEL JACKSON. Not any other common man.

[Rocco]

Because it's quite possible that his physician injected him with an overdose of demerol. Maybe it's just me, but I think that warrants a thorough investigation by LAPD.

[Dont_believe_the_hype]

May he R.I.P and may his family feel the happyness for he has left a harsh place. Much of the bad publicity is just that, only God and him know the truth. So who are we to judge, who he was. Many of the people in the world saw him as a dollar bill, and out of all those horrible stories about him. If he did anything wrong, he will suffer. And if he did not, the liars will suffer. We live in a society where money talks, and the biggest crooks out there are lawyers.

Again may he rest in peace, and lets not judge someone. Unless you know things are a fact.

[Philip. F]

I too agree with wendy. But since Michael is world known people are going to want information about what really happend. I mean this is history, its going to wind up on wikipedia, books and everyone is going to remember it. He has sold over 750 million albums worldwide!

[West Valley Dave]

If it were you or me the LAPD wouldn't have even thought twice about it. This is just a ploy for Sir Boston Billy to get some "me" time to make it look like he's doing something. The Jackson estate should be billed for all the police time having to do crowd control.

[O Tecco]

Michael, your music will live 4 ever. It was by my side during different situations in my life.
Your legacy will last forever, our prayers are with u, rest in peace, my friend.

[rebecca williams]

oh my god i cant believe another life taking right before my very eyes .m.j is the best pop star their ever was , an his songs still growing strong.r.i.p m.j .here's a shout out to MICHAEL JACKSON an his wonderful family.I LOVE YOU MICHAEL JACKSON.

[Dee]

Wendy, because he wasn't an ordinary citizen...and, i'll bet you'd be among those screaming "Cover Up" if he was getting the limited attention that an "ordinary citizen" would receive.

But, take heart, I felt the same way at the attention that was garnered to Elvis.

[Jake]

Hmm, does Dr. Nick ring a bell? i.e. Elvis' doctor who prescribed the man plenty of Demoral and other narcotics in order to stay on the payroll.

As a person in the legal profession, I am quite aware of what some of these Beverly Hills' doctors will do for a buck. I guarantee you that right now there are lots of phone calls being made from west side physicians to their lawyers.

Case in point: When a doctor was charged with shoplifting, he promised me any drugs I wanted if I could get the case dismissed.

[Robert]

Conspiracy theory: is it possible that MJ's untimely death would spark such an astronomical surge in record sales before his London shows that industry insiders wanted him dead before he had the chance to "fall on his face" in the attempted comback bid? And perhaps rehearsals revealed that MJ didn't have it in him to "pull off the comeback" . . . and before he tarnished his legacy and economic value, his value to those "insiders" would be greater to the record companies, if he died before the O2 shows. I know it's sick to think this could happen . . . but after all, the human heart being what it is . . . well . . .

[Betty]

I think the Dr that gave him the shot just before he collasped need to be investigated closely. Who knows what he was up to. This is going to be a repeat of Anna Nicole situation; money, drugs, child custody. What a waste of talent to go too early. RIP Michael.