Whereabouts of Michael Jackson's body a closely guarded secret

In the run-up to Michael Jackson's public memorial, speculation abounded about the whereabouts of the pop star's body.

First, conventional wisdom held that Jackson would be buried at Neverland Ranch, and speculation swirled that the Santa Barbara County estate would be the site of his memorial service.

Then late Monday, a new slew of reports claimed Jackson had been buried before a private service was held for him at Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary in the Hollywood Hills. Today, there was speculation he had been cremated.

When that apparently proved false, a new round of claims surfaced that an "empty coffin" had been taken to Staples Center for the public memorial -- despite the extraordinary security measures taken to shuttle the coffin from Forest Lawn to downtown Los Angeles.

After Tuesday's memorial service, one of the most frequently asked questions put to LAPD Chief William J. Bratton was where the body had been taken.

"We have to keep some secrets," Bratton said.

Sources familiar with the case told The Times the body was in safekeeping after being released to the family following the autopsy last week by the Los Angeles County coroner.

No final decision has been made about a time or place for a burial, and the whereabouts of the body will remain, as it has been for more than a week, a closely guarded secret.

-- Andrew Blankstein

Comments

[Andi]

I hope they buried him already in a secret location where no one will ever find him. There are so many sick people in this world who wouldn't hesitate to grave rob if they had the opportunity. Let this poor man finally rest in peace.

[cindy]

poor guy and his family let him rest in peace now..the public , and media has done enough harm to him and his family already

[pussbuss]

Why all the secretive nature of this?Maybe the family is waiting to see if strings can be pulled to bury him at Neverland, or like all of the rumors above could be true, who knows now, silly I think, maybe this is for more PR probably. Neverland would be very expensive for the security of his grave and he didn't own the property outright.

Granted he was a big star but I would mourn the loss of some other biggies just the same.

Forest lawn has huge, famous celebrities buried there, what makes him any different?

I did have a dream the night before his memorial though that he was cremated, the family had his ashes put in the coffin and buried them at Forest Lawn.

[Lydia R Gomez]

I THINK THAT MICHAEL JACKSON SHOULD BE BURIED IN NEVERLAND. ANY MONEY MADE OF THIS SHOULD GO DIRECTLY TO HIS CHILDREN. UNLESS, THEY WANT TO RESIDE IN THE HOME AND KEEP IT PRIVITE.

[Unknown]

Forest Lawn maintaines "holding crypts" for just such a contingency. J. Paul Getty reposed on one of these "holding crypts" for the approximate three years it took to clear the bureaucratic way for his final burial in Malibu at the Getty Villa.
Forest Lawn also has a long standing policy of non-disclosure of the final resting places of individuals other than to family.

[savvydude]

They closed major LA freeways to shuttle an empty casket to Staples? How much did THAT cost? I smell a giant investigation coming soon. Honoring the guy is one thing, but all this chicanery and secret moving about is pathetic.

[lynn g]

the paperazzi followed michael from the forest lawn cemetery
to the staples for his memorial. the paperazzi should have followed michael from the staples to where ever they were going. what happen to that

[raji rab]

Michael Jackson was a living legend..A Real super star like no one ever before. He was a victim of hidden agendas, betrayal and greed. It is so sad to see Michaels haters continue to work on ruining his image as they cant stop to bad mouth him even after his death, while his children and family mourns along side with the entire world. His haters can’t figure out how Michael, has emerged gigantically much more larger than life after his sudden death and being celebrated as a undisputed hero all over the world. Michael was a rock star and rock stars do unusual things. The fabricated cases against him were proven false in court and were so obviously motivated by greed giving Michael irreparable and irrecoverable emotional loss. But all that changed overnight as the whole world has clearly rewarded and acknowledged the joy Michael brought to a common person all over the world regardless of any geographic boundaries. Every person has a child in him so one doesn’t have to be jealous of Michael’s (Peter Pan) character. We all have ours. The enormous and intense sad reflection world wide is a referendum of Michael as a world hero, a good and kind man and the greatest performer ever to receive this kind of gigantic international loveable submission only somewhat comparable to lady Diana but only much larger. Michael continues to live but without any suppression or victimization but only in eternal love and appreciation shown by the world. I was not a big fan of Michael Jackson but now I am.

[Maureen]

Did he not say in his documentary of years ago that he did NOT want to be buried? It's rather odd and sad that after 2 weeks his family won't let his body rest. I say cremate him and spread his ashes over Neverland. In recent months, per close friends, he was considering moving back to Neverland, so clearly, he still held a place for it in his heart. But 2 weeks w/o a final resting place? Good God. What's the deal with this family? Love to Michael and his children and may he find the happiness and love in death he did not receive in life. God Speed, MJ.

[Oxalis]

I hope the estate pays for the LA county costs of special services for road closures and officers. I mean, come on.

Also, I hope they build a big lavish pyramid and bury him under it like a Pharoah.

[BobFoolery]

Is it really anyone's business aside from the family, the mortuary, and the people who's job it is to enforce the laws governing such things?

Move on.

[KB]

MJ's body is just that...a body. His soul is elsewhere. When there is rest, it pertains to the soul, not the body. So ease up and let the family figure this thing out. Medical science has provided for Michael's body to hang in there until a decision is made.

[MexiChick]

This is why Princess Diana was buried in a small island in a family estate in England. Only family can access it. Give her the privacy she lacked in life. I do believe that he wanted to be cremated, but his family may feel differently. Many traditional African-Americans & Latinos are not keen on cremation, esp. if religious.

[Daniel Son]

Can somebody please let me know what Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton's purpose in all of this is?
To me they seem like a couple of useless Humans that only like to cry "Racism". Am I wrong?

[MJ Fan]

Michael and his family will always be in our prayers. I hope the media will respect their privacy and leave him alone, as Michaels brother said. Please respect his children. Michael always protected them so they did not have to go through what he did when he was their age. He was chased and talked badly about, but his fans stood strong and supported him. I hope Michael knew how much his fans loved him and will continue to do so.
R.I.P Michael.

[TomTallis]

They're going to have to either put him in the big mausoleum in Forest Lawn, Glendale where no one can get in unless they're accompanied by someone with a key, or they're going to have to encase that casket in 10 tons of concrete. Otherwise, beyond any shadow of a doubt, some crazed fan will try to get a look inside.

[sue lea]

why can't people leave michael alone. all these conspiracy theories have got me doubting what i think, it's not right!!
if he had faked his own death i'm sure he had good reason! and would he have really wanted to put his family through all that heartache? at the end of the day we have lost someone special and no i'm not one of those people who feel sorry for him now he's gone, ive always played his music, watched his videos and totally admired and loved him. if he was still to be alive i would be gutted at the fact it felt like my heart had been ripped out at the time but i would feel no different about him. he needs to be left alone no matter what. you deserve to R.I.P MICHAEL, love you always xxxxxxxxxxx

[Jeff]

Well they had to re-bury Elvis if you remember. Someone tried to steal him from a cemetery and they had to take him to Graceland.

Seem like the logical choice would be to bury him in the Jackson compound in Encino, they already have security and its the family home..

[Stan]

There is a major poll running over at www.tinyurl.com/evilgood as to whether Michael Jackson was good or evil. Evil is currently in the lead! I think this poll is being recorded in some sort of record book, anyways, everybody go vote for good!

[edna i ayala]

I DONT CARE WHAT PPL HAVE TO SAY ALL I KNOW THAT HES WENT THRU ALOT BACK IN THE 60s ..LOVE U MICHAEL YOU WILL ALWAY BE IN MY HEART

[anah]

Dear All , MJ's Family became a muslim on November last year ...in Bahrain , but , may be he's family , I looking to place him in Mulsim cemetery..

[SM]

Michael Jackson...just his name presents so many questions. And although many will go unanswered...I choose to remember him in this way.
We were captivated by his music and dance. He was a man with a generous heart and gentle spirit. Cheated out of his childhood...his comfort zone was performing on stage. His private life was always under scrutiny.
But I choose to remember all of the joy and happiness that his music brought to my life. His personal issues were his own...but his talent was a blessing for everyone.
So now that everything is said and done and we've lost one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived, I choose to remember this...his talent....and let God deal with the rest.

[lisha cummins]

You will be missed terribly...seems of late, all the good folks are headed to Heaven!