'Lethal levels' of anesthetic propofol killed Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson died of "lethal levels" of the powerful anesthetic propofol, according to a search warrant affidavit unsealed today in Houston.

The court documents quote the L.A. County coroner's office as reaching that conclusion after an autopsy of the pop star.

The documents address one of the major unanswered questions surrounding Jackson's death. But they also raise new questions about how Jackson was treated, particularly in the hours before his death.

Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal doctor, told detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department that he had been treating Jackson for insomnia for about six weeks. He had been giving Jackson 50 milligrams of propofol every night using an intravenous line, according to the court records.

But Murray told detectives that he feared Jackson was forming an addiction and began trying to wean the pop star off the drugs. He lowered the dosage to 25 milligrams and mixed it with two other sedatives, lorazepam and midazolam. On June 23, two days before Jackson's death, he administered those two medications and withheld the propofol.

On the morning Jackson died, Murray tried to induce sleep without using propofol, according to the affidavit. He said he gave Jackson valium at 1:30 a.m. When that didn't work, he said, he injected lorazepam intravenously at 2 a.m. At 3 a.m., when Jackson was still awake, Murray administered midazolam.

Over the next few hours, Murray said he gave Jackson various drugs. Then at 10:40 a.m., Murray administered 25 milligrams of propofol after Jackson repeatedly demanded the drug, according to the court records.

Although Murray acknowledged to police that he administered propofol, authorities said they could find no evidence that he had purchased, ordered or obtained the medication under his medical license or Drug Enforcement Administration tracking number. However, police detectives saw about eight bottles of propofol in the house along with other vials and pills that had been prescribed to Jackson by Dr. Murray, Dr. Arnold Klein and Dr. Allan Metzger.

Other drugs that were confiscated in the search included valium, tamsulosin, lorazepam, temazepam, clonazepam, trazodone and tizanidine. They also found propofol in Murray’s medical bag. Murray told detectives that he was not the first doctor to administer the powerful anesthetic to Jackson.

At least two unidentified doctors gave Jackson propofol in Germany. Between March and April 2009, Murray said he called Las Vegas doctor David Adams at Jackson’s request to arrange for Adams to administer propofol. Murray said he was present at a cosmetologist’s office, where Adams used propofol to sedate Jackson. Since he began treating Jackson, Murray said he repeatedly asked the pop star what other physicians were treating Jackson and what drugs they were prescribing. But Jackson declined to provide the information, Murray told authorities.

Murray said he noticed injection marks on Jackson’s hands and feet. When he asked Jackson about them, the pop star told him he had been given a “cocktail” to help him. In addition to Murray, authorities subpoenaed medical records from Dr. Arnold Klein, Dr. Allan Metzger and Dr. David Adams, the affidavit states. They also asked for medical records from Dr. David Slavitt, who conducted the independent medical examination of Jackson for Anschutz Entertainment Group, Dr. Randy Rosen and nurse practitioner Cherilyn Lee. They also subpoenaed records from Dr. Mark Tadrissi, who stored medical records with Adams.

Jackson’s doctor told authorities he left Jackson’s bedside for no more than two minutes before returning to find the pop star not breathing. Jackson reportedly fell asleep at 10:40 a.m.

 

Murray said after monitoring Jackson for 10 minutes, he left to use the restroom. When he returned and saw Jackson wasn’t breathing at 11 a.m. He immediately began attempting to revive Jackson, administering CPR as well as a drug to reverse the effects of the sedative. But police are questioning that account. Cellphone records for the morning of June 25 show Murray made three separate phone calls for approximately 47 minutes beginning at 11:18 a.m.

 

He called Jackson’s personal assistant to request that they send security upstairs. After a few minutes without a response, Murray told authorities he ran downstairs to the kitchen. He asked the chef to send Jackson’s eldest son, Prince Jackson, upstairs. Murray said he continued CPR and waited for the arrival of paramedics.

Murray has already acknowledged obtaining and administering propofol to Jackson the morning that the pop star died. In an interview with police, Murray told them that he had left Jackson alone under the influence of the medication to make telephone calls to his Houston office and family members.

When he returned, he discovered Jackson was not breathing. He performed CPR, and one of Jackson’s staff members called 911. The 50-year-old pop star was rushed to UCLA Medical Center, where he was later declared dead. Much of the investigation has focused on propofol -- a drug typically administered by anesthesiologists during surgery -- and whether Murray’s decision to give it to Jackson as a sleep aid outside a hospital setting reaches a level of negligence required for an involuntary manslaughter charge.

-- Kimi Yoshino and Andrew Blankstein

Photo: Conrad Murray. Credit AFP / Getty Images

Over the next few hours, Murray said he gave Jackson various drugs. Then at 10:40 a.m., Murray administered 25 milligrams of propofol after Jackson repeatedly demanded the drug, according to the court records.

Although Murray acknowledged to police that he administered propofol, authorities said they could find no evidence that he had purchased, ordered or obtained the medication under his medical license or Drug Enforcement Administration tracking number. However, police detectives saw about eight bottles of propofol in the house along with other vials and pills that had been prescribed to Jackson by Dr. Murray, Dr. Arnold Klein and Dr. Allan Metzger.

Other drugs that were confiscated in the search included valium, tamsulosin, lorazepam, temazepam, clonazepam, trazodone and tizanidine. They also found propofol in Murray’s medical bag. Murray told detectives that he was not the first doctor to administer the powerful anesthetic to Jackson.

At least two unidentified doctors gave Jackson propofol in Germany. Between March and April 2009, Murray said he called Las Vegas doctor David Adams at Jackson’s request to arrange for Adams to administer propofol. Murray said he was present at a cosmetologist’s office, where Adams used propofol to sedate Jackson. Since he began treating Jackson, Murray said he repeatedly asked the pop star what other physicians were treating Jackson and what drugs they were prescribing. But Jackson declined to provide the information, Murray told authorities.

Murray said he noticed injection marks on Jackson’s hands and feet. When he asked Jackson about them, the pop star told him he had been given a “cocktail” to help him. In addition to Murray, authorities subpoenaed medical records from Dr. Arnold Klein, Dr. Allan Metzger and Dr. David Adams, the affidavit states. They also asked for medical records from Dr. David Slavitt, who conducted the independent medical examination of Jackson for Anschutz Entertainment Group, Dr. Randy Rosen and nurse practitioner Cherilyn Lee. They also subpoenaed records from Dr. Mark Tadrissi, who stored medical records with Adams.

Jackson’s doctor told authorities he left Jackson’s bedside for no more than two minutes before returning to find the pop star not breathing. Jackson reportedly fell asleep at 10:40 a.m.

 

Murray said after monitoring Jackson for 10 minutes, he left to use the restroom. When he returned and saw Jackson wasn’t breathing at 11 a.m. He immediately began attempting to revive Jackson, administering CPR as well as a drug to reverse the effects of the sedative. But police are questioning that account. Cellphone records for the morning of June 25 show Murray made three separate phone calls for approximately 47 minutes beginning at 11:18 a.m.

 

He called Jackson’s personal assistant to request that they send security upstairs. After a few minutes without a response, Murray told authorities he ran downstairs to the kitchen. He asked the chef to send Jackson’s eldest son, Prince Jackson, upstairs. Murray said he continued CPR and waited for the arrival of paramedics.

Murray has already acknowledged obtaining and administering propofol to Jackson the morning that the pop star died. In an interview with police, Murray told them that he had left Jackson alone under the influence of the medication to make telephone calls to his Houston office and family members.

When he returned, he discovered Jackson was not breathing. He performed CPR, and one of Jackson’s staff members called 911. The 50-year-old pop star was rushed to UCLA Medical Center, where he was later declared dead. Much of the investigation has focused on propofol -- a drug typically administered by anesthesiologists during surgery -- and whether Murray’s decision to give it to Jackson as a sleep aid outside a hospital setting reaches a level of negligence required for an involuntary manslaughter charge.

-- Kimi Yoshino and Andrew Blankstein

Photo: Conrad Murray. Credit AFP / Getty Images

Comments

[Joy Treadwell]

This Dr. was doing exactly what he was hired to do. As would anyone else in his situation who was earning a staggering amount of money and wanting to continue to do so. Michael Jackson was the employer and therefore he was calling the shots and making his own decisions. He was fifty : an adult, not a six year old child.

[Mike]

In the 4th graph from the bottom, the word "He", which follows 11 a.m., should not be capitalized. It's not a new sentence. Or the previous phrase needs to be written as a complete sentence.

Sorry, I'm a proofreader looking for work. Otherwise, excellent article!

[Deborah Wake]

I am incredibly sad that this has come out. Dr Murray should not have given him all those drugs but we also do not know the full story as yet. I have loved Michael Jackson all of my life and feel deeply saddened that his life ended so soon. I hope Michael's children will not have to go through all the media coverage again and I hope the paper's are a lot more sympathetic to what happened and don't use sensationalist headlines to sell more papers. Remember also Dr Murray has eight young children. My thoughts and prayers are with him... RIP Michael Jackson. You will always be loved.

Deborah Wake Durham England

[Ted F]

Poor Michael. With all his $ it wasn't hard to find the doctors who would give him anything he wanted. But the real story here isn't the propofol. It's the benzodiazepines.

I have 9 years clean and sober after being addicted to benzodiazepines so I know what kind of deadly battle Mr. Jackson was facing.
Unfortunately this kind of addiction is extremely prevalent in our society. Drugs like Ativan, Valium, Klonopin, and Xanax are highly addictive and easily fatal if combined with Propofol, alcohol, or opiates.
The pharmaceutical corporations make tons of $ manufacturing benzodiazepines and they have a long history of downplaying the terrible consequences of long term benzo use.
I am fortunate to have survived a bout with benzos. I am truly sad that one of our greatest entertainers succumbed to the deceptive allure of these powerful prescription drugs.

[Unshocked]

The King of Pop should have learned an important lesson from the King of Rock.

[Jon Lyles]

I can't get over how much drugs Murray treated Jackson with before finally giving in and administering the propofol. Obviously Jackson had a big habit. Also it's now obvious he was a drug abuser (understatement) and he overdosed and he had lots of help. It's obvious there are doctors out there who are willing to enable ridiculous drug addictions for the right price. Very sad.

[Scott Boyce]

The massive tolerance built-up by MJ is subject to future medical scrutiny. No doubt his insomnia was induced by a drug addiction. Up-down. Left-right. Blaming an outside provider only dilutes the truth. RIP

[Christian Nungo]

Unfortunately this unprofessional doctor became the scapegoat in all this tragedy.

[Bruce]

Sad for MJ's family especially his elderly Mom and his young children. When will these stars learn?

Judy Garland, Elvis, Heath Ledger and now Michael.

The Dr. was not practicing good medicine. The day he first saw Michael he should have demanded rehab not continued to feed his habit.

I think stars have a tough life especailly having to deal with the press and all the fans, never any privacy.

[julie brawley]

If it was not for greed of a doctor a great entertainer would still be alive and wowing london with his unbeliveable concerts. My heart goes out to his beautiful children and his family to have lost a great man. He should be aloud to practice as a doctor as he is no such thing to administer such leather doses of drugs. What was he thinking. Strick him off and put him in jail where he belongs. Only time will heal his family now, God Bless you all.

[proud american]

Can't understand why we are paying oodles of money to investigate this overdose. The kid down the street overdosed and no one went after his supplier. Guess he wasn't important enough. Guess you have to be a weirdo, pervert, etc to get that kind of attention.

[jaikovsky]

Sad that this happened...but as some stated here, it's not only the doctor's fault but others (who were close to MJ) as well.

As being a personal doctor for MJ, I can understand why Murray complied to MJ's request for the treatment. If Murray rejected his client's request, MJ would consider him as a bad doctor and fire him or hire someone else who would listen to his request...

[cohen]

money and math

[Karen G]

Kelly M. Bray said it all...bad choices. Additionally, when a physician starts initiating sedatives and anesthetics and that is not their area of expertise, you are asking for trouble. So many signs Michael was in trouble it's hard to know where to start...the blame ultimately and unfortunately lies with Michael and his refusal to get help for his addiction. Insomnia is not treated with anesthetics!

[Rick Beezee]

...and pot is illegal?

[TJ]

Medical malpractise and negligent homicide. The administration of midazlopam or "Versed" should not be given IV in a non hospital, non critical care setting, without the availability of emergency resuscitative equipment and skilled, knowledgeable personnel to intervene. It causes respiratory depression and arrest. The administration of Valium IV also causes respiratory depression. The administration of Ativan IV is careless. The administration of Propofonol, under any circumstances, at home, by any physician, is malpractise. One of these drugs alone could have caused respiratory arrest, together, it was a certainty. Any physician asked to engage in this should have refused. Surely, a physician could be found to agree to do it. But, anyone with any knowledge of this ritual should have reported it to appropriate authorities. Any physician prescribing these meds, including the friendly, good old Dr Klein, should be indicted as well and have their medical license revoked. Many laws have been broken here; the entire scenario since it's inception in Germany, was medical practise "off the wall". This patient, even though it was Michael Jackson, King of Pop, should have been hospitalized a long time ago for treatment of insomnia, drug dependancy, anorexia, and other psychological disorders. Performing CPR on him would have had to been done as if with an infant since he lacked a patent airway via his nostrils, as evidenced by physical appearance, sound of voice. It is inconceivable that his managers, promoters, and his personal staff was not aware of his fragile state of physical and mental health. It is like the movie, "They Shoot Horses, Don't They", soaking money out of him one way or another, dead or alive. The glee with which AEI is promoting his taped rehersals is disgusting and telling. And Sony gloating in the The Sunday NYT magazine about their ownership of his Beatles catalogue is more disgusting. There is no justification for administering Propofonol for insomnia at home. The least they could have done, though, if they were going to engage in this criminal behavior, was to put Michael on a ventilator every night, triggered to breathe for him if/when his own respirations ceased. Michael had poor judgement and no one around him cared enough to intervene to stop the madness. And it was, indeed, madness.

[jeanet]

this is very shoking
its now official
dr.murray killed michael jackson
i love you michael jackson
always and forever
RiP

[Rpunch]

Clearly an addict, Jackson used his fame and influence to manipulate others in his never-ending quest for more drugs. Nevertheless, Dr. Murray over-stepped the boundaries by apparently administering high quantities of dangerous drugs to appease Jackson. Now, he (Murray) should be vigorously prosecuted for his actions because being a doctor with a high-profile patient does not make him above the law.

[Mike]

How unfair is life ? They bust this idiot's doc and Elvis - the only real King - his doctor got off scott free. Unbelievable.

[stepahnie]

You will never know the thruth unless Michael was alive...Everyone has there side of a story

[Chris]

Yeah, what drugs was MJ doing that he needed that kind of medication to go to sleep, he was a druggie. That's too bad. I wonder what else we don't know about him.

[James I]

This is typical of conventional western medicine. What all of you don't realize is that according to the AMA prescription drugs are the #4 killer in the USA. This does not include overdoses. Big Pharma is not the solution to your health problems. The USA consumes 50% of all the prescription drugs sold and we are at the bottom of the list as far as health is concerned. Why is that? Big Pharma controls all forms of the media and Washington. That will never change. This is not about health care this is about sick care. The US economy is dependent on disease and sickness. Without it this country would go down the tubes financially. If everybody would give up their MD and find a good ND we would all be a lot better off. Bottom line MJ was killed by greedy MD's.

[Sunil]

Agree that the doc was involved in negligence. How about the media that gave him the insomnia. Everyone is upset with the doc for doing the wrong thing but the media has been killing and will keep killing famous people ( Princess Diana ) and no one will do sqaut about it. Leave the doc alone, he just tried to help. If the doc wont have given him the meds he would have taken it illegally anyways and died just like so many actors have done in the past. LEAVE THE DOC ALONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SHERRILYN]

michael DID NOT deserve to die,he trusted this doctor and he failed him so.it does not matter what the other doctors' gave michael .THEY DID NOT LET HIM DIE....

[Geoff]

"Jackson’s doctor told authorities he left Jackson’s bedside for no more than two minutes before returning to find the pop star not breathing. Jackson reportedly fell asleep at 10:40 a.m. Murray said after monitoring Jackson for 10 minutes, he left to use the restroom. When he returned and saw Jackson wasn’t breathing at 11 a.m."

Do the math. Was he gone for 2 minutes or 10 minutes? Sounds more like 10 minutes.

"Cellphone records for the morning of June 25 show Murray made three separate phone calls for approximately 47 minutes beginning at 11:18 a.m... Murray told authorities he ran downstairs to the kitchen."

Explain how one properly performs CPR while talking on the cellphone and/or runs downstairs. CPR doesn't work if one stops chest compressions to leave the room or to hold a phone.

Either the account of events is wrong or the doctor engaged in malpractice.