Michael Jackson investigation focuses on doctors

Investigators are focusing on at least five doctors who prescribed drugs to Michael Jackson as they try to unravel the circumstances surrounding the pop star’s death, according to law enforcement sources.

Authorities removed drugs and other medical evidence from the Holmby Hills mansion where Jackson was stricken and are trying to determine whether the medications were properly prescribed and whether they played any role in his death. 

Some of the prescriptions were made out to Jackson's pseudonyms, and in some cases the drugs had no prescription labels on the bottles, the sources told The Times. 

One of the most tantalizing clues so far is the discovery of what one source described as “numerous bottles” of the powerful sedative Diprivan at the home. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because it was an ongoing investigation, said some of the bottles were full and others were empty.

None had prescription labels, and investigators are trying to determine how Jackson got the drugs. 

Diprivan is an extremely potent drug that is supposed to be administered by an anesthesiologist, typically in a hospital. Experts expressed alarm that it would be used at a private home. 

“It’s a very dangerous drug if self-administered or administered by someone not trained in airway management and cardiac life support,” said Ethan Bryson, an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. “You need to have someone who knows what they are doing when they administer it.” 

Diprivan, the market name for propofol, is one of the most widely used IV drugs for general anesthesia. The product label from the Food and Drug Administration says a patient being given the drug should be monitored at all times for early signs of abnormally low blood pressure, low oxygen levels and stopped breathing. Problems with the heart or breathing are more likely to occur following rapid administration of the drug. The label states that equipment to provide artificial ventilation, supplemental oxygen and CPR “must be immediately available.” 

It’s unclear whether any of this equipment was found at Jackson’s home.

Abuse of Diprivan is a growing problem, said Paul Wischmeyer, an anesthesiologist at the University of Colorado. Wischmeyer coauthored a 2007 study of Diprivan abuse in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia. The study found that in an e-mail survey of 126 academic anesthesiology training programs nationwide, 18% of departments reported one or more incidents of propofol abuse in the previous 10 years. Of the 25 individuals who abused propofol, seven died as a result of the abuse, including six who were residents, according to the study.

 “A lot of people do it because it makes you completely blotto. It totally takes away all anxiety, all fear,” he said. “It’s incredibly relieving of pain anxiety and stress. People do it to escape.” 

He said he has seen people take the drug to relieve anxiety -- and that many people he has interviewed at rehab centers who are trying to kick an addiction to propofol “experienced trauma earlier in their life, and are using it to escape.”

It remains unknown whether prescription drugs played any role in Jackson’s death. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office is awaiting the results of toxicology tests before listing a cause of death. The coroner and the Los Angeles Police Department are being aided in their probe by the Drug Enforcement Administration and California attorney general’s office. 

Both agencies have expertise in investigating doctors suspect of improperly prescribing drugs. The attorney general’s office investigated two doctors who were charged this year with repeatedly supplying model Anna Nicole Smith with addictive prescription drugs in the years before she died. 

The DEA is expected to investigate whether doctors who prescribed medication to Jackson had a “face to face” relationship with the singer and provided a proper diagnosis, which is required by law.

-- Scott Glover, Rong-Gong Lin II, Cara Mia DiMassa, Andrew Blankstein and Kimi Yoshino

Comments

[Lisa]

Diprivan is short lived in a patient. I am wondering if that is why the doctor didn't seek help earlier. The longer MJ was not in a hospital setting, the sooner the drug would dissipate. I would think the ER would have drawn blood immediately on arrival during the attempt at resuscitation.

What kind of security system would be in place so that the doctor could not call for help on his cell phone? I thought that cell phone calls could be traced by 9-1-1.

[taslima]

Michael asked Dr. Conrad Murray to stay at home that night, because he wanted Dr.'s help to use Propofol. How could Dr. gave IV propofol to Michael while there was no equipment for artificial respiration, no oxygen, tracheal tube etc. at home? How could he possibly let Michael die? Michael was always very careful person. He never wanted to die. We know how he used his umbrella, gloves, masks not to get sick. Either Dr. Conrad injected overdose Propofol to kill Michael or he just did not care if Michael died.It cant be Dr.s 'mistake', no cardiologist can possibly make the mistake of injecting propofol to someone at home without having life saving machine nearby.
Michael did not know, but Dr. Conrad knew that Michael might not wake up.

[Stormy]

If Diprivan turns out to be the leading cause of Michael Jackson's death, then charges should be filed by the Attorney General's office. Charges were eventually not pursued following the death of Anna Nicole Smith mainly because the drugs she overdosed on were medicines commonly prescribed (with the curious exception of chloral hydrate) but were misused and abused by Ms. Smith. Diprivan, on the other hand, is a drug that should NEVER be prescribed for home use under any circumstance. A patient begging for medication is no valid defense. And charges by the Nurses Association should be brought against the RN as well, who went on several news and entertainment programs talking her ex-patient's request for this medication. This is a total breach of the Privacy Rule; the Privacy Rule extends just as much to the deceased patient as it does the living one.

[Anna]

Michael Jackson and Pope John Paul II-two greatest man in the world. Try to disregeard gossip and see the big picture. Regardless of what you think about either one of them,both, by their genius united millions of people around the world breaking the barriers of race, religion, and social status, pleading for pace, love and understanding. They both, in their own ways tried to save the world.

[Dali]

Bonsoir

I am french, so excuse my poor english!
I am choqued to read that doctors, well paid for sure, trusted ( they ve studied so long!), could forgot about Hypocrate Oath and just think about how much they can win quick!

How people like this respected because of their knowledge, their experience, their Title "Doctor", than they act more like business men, like Madoff!!

The painkillers killed Him (our angel of music) , not his pain!
what a pain !
The King of the Pop, has money so he could afford anything...and anyone (expensive doctors)
he could buy The strongest drugs, the most "Dangerous", so "Bad" to his health...His soul was in pain, so much in pain! no drugs can cure that pain, no drugs cure lack of love, time maybe cures youghnest scarses...But his success isolates him for this world! A kind of autism! Many genius are a kind of autistic!

It is a pity that the King trusted the wrong ones!
He was soul broken....?

Hypocrites that don't seem to follow "Hypocrate Oath", is that just an empty promise for them?!

The truth will come, as strong as his talent! He Is the sculptor of music!

Having talent is like having blue eyes. You don't admire a man for the colour of his eyes. I admire a man for what he does with his talent.

Talent may be in time forgiven, but genius never

He was an man of vision
Vision is the art of seeing the invisible.

There is the same difference between talent and genius that there is between a stone mason and a sculptor

Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck -- but, most of all, endurance.

Your fans Love You "Mickael Jackson" More than you do!
Unfortunately!

Thank you for your Music!
Will miss You already!

You ll be in the hearth of so many...
In the rythm of our hearth....
Your music will staying alive...
RESPECT

REST in Peace

Doctor D

[DynamicDeebytheSea]

The fact that Propofol (Diprivan) was in his home is completely wrong. Someone needs to go to jail, whether it be someone who stole it or a medical person who supplied it (it can't be prescribed). If it is a MD, they should double any sentence for violating the oath taken upon becoming a physician, "first do no harm."
Also, red flag. Who travels with their own doctor? Yes celebrities have chefs, masseuses, manicurists, but come on a full-time MD for a 50 year old.

[Sherry Salzman]

By the time michael jackson was so disturbed that he was obtaining and using diprivan AT ALL whether to reliev his serious insomnia or as a sedative to reliev anxiety-he should have been involuntarily committed to ahopsital by family -who MUST have known he was ina bad way -if not knowing the full extent byt this time micha;le was so diusturbed he should nbot have been makling decisons of any kind =business, dealing with his children =and especially making decisions about touring in ill health and his health issues ,period!
you cannot convince me -SOMEONE (other than the unscrupulous doctors who prescribed medications that belong in a hospital for home use)
HAD to know what was going on and turned a blind eye -these people-along with the doctors =should be held accountable= we dont know when Michael Jackson become incompetent to handle his own affairs -but he clearly came under this definition= and their are proivisions inthe law for just such cases as this= his family SHOULD have taken action =long before this-too many people along the way HAD TO KNOW=and because they did nothing= they have helped him to an early grave= and robbed the kids of their father =and the world of one of its greatest talents=
If you are one of those-WHO STOOD BY WHEN YOU SHOULD HAVE ACTED =SHAME,,YOU SHOULD HANG YOUR HEAD IN IT.

[Mini Richards]

Michael Jackson was one of the great achievers in the arts that put put magnificent, talent composition and musical expression together building master piece after master piece as the world watched transfixed! Some took it all for granted and now many feel the deep loss of a magical person whose many unique talents spoke to our hearts!

[knowdalaw]

I have two questions about the death investigation of Michael Jackson.

First, if Dr. Murray were the one to give him the drugs, then why would his former nutritionist say that Michael called her 4 days before his death asking for this prescription? It is certain that doctor said "No" so Michael contacted someone else.

Second, has anyone noticed that Michael looks a little disoriented in his "last rehearsal" video? If you notice, at the very end of the video, he seems to breathe a bit heavy, he closes his eyes, then puts on a BIG WIDE GOOFY looking grin.
He did not look normal to me on that last few seconds of the video.

[Edmond Yee]

It is time for the federal DEA to regulate propofol as a controlled substance. Propofol has largely replaced the use of rapid-onset short-acting barbiturates such as sodium thiopental (Sodium Pentothal). But while sodium thiopental is regulated by the federal DEA as a schedule III controlled substance, propofol remains unregulated and without the inventory, prescriptive, and dispensing safeguards of a controlled substance.

Edmond Yee, Pharm.D

[Valerie]

Those doctors are responsible for whom they prescribe medication to. If they are not going to be accountable for their presciptions, then why are they licensed to act responsibly? I hope that it was not just to gain MONEY... HOw sad, if it is so.

[Valerie]

Michael did not deserve to have such incompetents in his life. I hope that these incompetents can be stopped before they destroy others. We rely on doctors to help us to live, not help to kill us.

[Rachael weiss]

I believe something is definitely suspect with this so called Cardiologist that was staying with MJ...No doubt.........Investigate him for gods sake.....In the end? You will find that he is probably responsible for giving MJ whatever he wanted......

[Rachael weiss]

If it looks like a Snake? Its a Snake.........Trust me...Im willing to bet that this guy Murray? Is responsible for his death.......He gave him CPR on the bed? Everyone knows you put a person on a hard surface....Scary but true....

[joyce leneway]

If Micheal Jackson used pain pills, seditives, ect its because he needed to excape the pain and suffering he has, he has been brought to court accused of molesting children, which is the worst thing you can say about a man a good man who adored children all over the world, he showed them love but there families wanted money and in order to do that they said he touched children. Micheal was tried in court and the verdict was not guilty, yet he was a free man his heart was broken, and he died inside, it was just a matter of time before this happened, his life would never be the same. I love Micheal Jackson with all my heart and always and forever will, I pray that he is a Angel of the lord and looks over children and protects them like he tried all his life to do. God rest his soul in peace, love to his family, and no matter what the press says Micheal will be a saint for all eternity. I love you Micheal Jackson.

[Molly]

This story continues to become more and more nightmarish..... What an appalling way to die. I'm not sure what this says more about: the late Mr. Michael Jackson and how he was haunted by his childhood and super stardom? The craziness of celebrity lifestyles replete with super-sized notions of entitlement? Or both combined with drug use that defies the imagination? Thank you LA Times for staying with this story. Even if all these drugs were administered at the express request of Mr. Jackson, the person(s) who did so broke laws and should be prosecuted.

Whatever was going on, Michael, you don't need drugs to rest now. R.I.P. And God protect and bless your children.

[George Novak]

A public figure in life....a private funeral in death.

[Pat]

What can you say? It's Heath Ledger all over again.

[Norm Silver]

When and if the investigation is completed I'll bet we see evidence of a lot of improprieties on the part of a few in the medical profession. The demons that pursued Jackson had to be horiffic for him to come right out and beg medical professionals to get him whatever it was he wanted and he did emphasize that money was no issue. I still think we will never see or hear the complete story. The family will take whatever steps they feel are needed to keep it confidential.

[Maksuda]

I really believe that there is someones hand behind his death. I love MJ very much just I known after his death. I pray to God for him.

[andy]

Dr. Conrad Murray, MJ's full-time 24/7 medical doctor was often by his side while he slept.
Diprivan is administered via IV so I'm sure the IV bag was there
while he was knocked out. It is unfathomable that a trained
MD would treat a sleeping disorder, which was likely related to MJ's prescription drug use, with this anesthetic. He may
not have administered demerol or oxycotin however he may
be directly responsible for something more deadly. I am sure his lawyers are awaiting the toxicology report to see if Diprivan cleared his system.
as its half-life is very short.

[molina]

I have pain everyday and I know how that feels, but I do not over sedate myself I just deal with it. I get heat pads, pain cream and other things but never overmedicate. Dealing with pain is a serious problem because sometimes we become depressed and angry. All I can say is don't judge people because some can't tolerated pain as well as others. We that do have pain need some type of relieveness but not in an illegal way.

[Mrs. Diondai Brown-Whitfield]

Michael's Spirit is at Peace with the Lord!

Michael's spirit is at peace with the Lord. Finally, the world has been allowed to properly express the love that we've always had for Michael and his family. It can no longer be denied how people really feel about him. His spirit remains alive in us. We still love him.

I'm sure that his life was valuable to him. If in fact, it is proven that the anesthetics were used, someone should be held accountable for prescribing and administering the IV medications. It's hard to believe that those types of agents could be used without proper medical facilities. Most people aren't informed about the true dangers of those chemicals, If they were, they would be less likely to request them.

In this case we can't assume anything until the toxicology results are posted.

May God cover your family as he welcomes you home Michael. In Jesus Name. Amen!

Mrs. Diondai Brown-Whitfield

[BILL NAHALEA]

Micheal In My World! WAS *THE KING OF POP" I've enjoyed
Micheal Jackson's Music Since I was 12 Years I'am Now! 54
Years Old, Over 40 Years Now!

Let's All Unite and Make Something Real at "Never-Neverland
And Keep "Micheal's Music ALIVE!! Turn *Never-Neverland
in a Music and Dance Museum in Honor of *THE KING OF POP!

Entertainment Moguls, Developers, If you Loved Music Let's
Turn "NEVER-NEVERLAND INTO A MUSEUM AND LET
MICHEAL MUSIC LIVE FOREVER!

*Rest Well My Friend* No More Pain! No More Pressure!

Mahalo,
Bill Nahalea
Entertainment Producer Seattle

[AGBOJO SUNDAY ADEBAYO]

ALL I FAITHFULLY BELIEVE IS THAT MICHEAL JACKSON HAS COME AND LIVED HIS LIFE ACCORDING TO HIS DESTINY. WE SHOULD ALL BE LOOKING AT THE GOOD LEGACY HE HS ACHIEVED IN LIFE AND PRAY TO GOD TO FORGIVE HIM FOR ALL THE SINS COMMITTED DURING HIS LIFE TIME AND ALLOW HIS SOUL TO REST IN PERFECT PEACE. PERSONALLY TO ME I DO NOT CHERISH LITIGATION AGAINST DEAD PERSON RATHER WE SHOULD APPRECIATE THE GOOD DEEDS OF THE PERSON WHILE HE WAS ALIVE AND HIS ROLE TO HUMANITY AND PRAISE GOD FOR HIM.

MICHEAL JACKSON LIFE TOUCH THE GLOBAL WORLD IN CONJUNCTION WITH EVERY HUMANITY ONE WAY OR THE OTHER EITHER NEGATIVELY OR POSITIVELYAND IF ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD HE HAS RESTED FROM THIS SINFUL WORLD, WE SHOULD TAKE FAITH AND CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR HIS FAMILY. PEOPLE SHOULD STOP EVERY NEGATIVE INVESTIGATION AND FOCUS THEIR SPIRIT ON GREAT BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TITAN. NO MATTER WHAT ANYBODY DOES WILL NOT WAKE UP MICHEAL JACKSON AGAIN THEREFORE THEY SHOULD ALLOW HIS SPIRIT TO REST IN THE RIGHT HAND OF THE LORD WHO KNOW THE END FROM THE BEGINING.

[Dunia]

Michael Jackson you touched my heart and soul.

No matter what was the reason of your death, you will always be the good human being who passed this world and did his best to leave a positive finger print.

God rest your soul in peace and keep your family happy and safe.