Michael Jackson's children saw their father one last time, Jermaine Jackson says

Jermaine Jackson, speaking publicly for the first time about the death of his brother, said the family decided to give his children a viewing of the pop star after he died.

Jermaine Jackson told NBC News that a therapist at the hospital suggested the viewing could help the Jackson kids -- sons Prince Michael Jr. and Prince Michael II and daughter Paris Michael Katherine -- deal with the loss. "I know it’s tough, but I think it was the best thing to do. At first I was against it, but what do you say if you don’t show them?”

Jackson told NBC's Matt Lauer he was informed of his brother's death by a phone call from his mother Katherine.

“She was crying, saying he was dead. And Matt, to hear my mother say, ‘Michael is dead,’ to feel and hear the tone in her voice to say her child is dead, is nothing that anyone can ever imagine.” He rushed to the hospital and came to Michael's side. 

"I kissed him on his forehead, and I hugged him, and I touched him and I said, ‘Michael, I’ll never leave you. You’ll never leave me.’" 

Investigators looking into Jackson's death have removed prescription drugs from his home and are talking to doctor who prescribed him drugs. 

Asked how he would feel if drugs played a role in the death, Jermaine Jackson said: “I would be hurt. because Michael has always been a person who was against anything like that. I’m not saying it’s right, because it’s not right. But in this business, the pressure, and things that you go through — you never know what people might turn to.” 

--Shelby Grad

Photo: Jermaine Jackson at UCLA Medical Center after his brother's death. Credit: Ann Johansson / Getty Images

Comments

[Tamar Belillti]

I think Jermaine seemed like a very supportive and loving brother to Michael like all brothers should be!

[Tamar Belillti]

I think everyone should just leave the Jackson family alone for awhile and give them the space they need!