Weather Tonight: 4°c Partly Cloudy Night Morning: 8°c Cloudy

Showbiz

Jacko's brain is kept by coroner for more tests

Mark Blunden, London Lite
Updated 13:35pm on 9 Jul 2009


Michael Jackson's brain is still being kept by doctors and tested for drugs that may have contributed to his death.

Pathologists are checking for neurochemical traces of painkillers and other drugs before returning the brain - or at least part of it - to the singer's family for burial.

Confusion: Dr Klein is quizzed on TV about Michael Jackson

However, no date has been given for returning it, adding to the confusion about when and where the singer will be buried, and while the tests are ongoing his cause of death at the age of 50 remains officially "deferred".

There is also a chance the Los Angeles coroner will hold on to evidential samples of brain tissue.

Ed Winter, the assistant chief coroner, said: "As soon as we are done with the brain, we will return it. The last I heard, they are not burying the body yet."

There is also no word on the current location of the superstar's body, wheeled out without its brain at the staples Centre in LA for Tuesday's public memorial in a £15,000 gold-plated casket. officials at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, where the family held private services, have refused to comment on whether it is being stored there and the singer's final resting place still remains a mystery a fortnight after he died at his rented home in LA.

Three of Jackson's brothers, Jermaine, Jackie and Tito, are reportedly negotiating for him to be laid to rest at his former neverland ranch north of LA. Californian officials said creating a cemetery at the rural estate near santa Barbara could take weeks. But ABC news in America claimed a family source confirmed the brothers have begun a lengthy bid to establish a state-sanctioned burial ground in the 2,800-acre grounds.

To add to the confusion, Jackson's former dermatologist has dodged questions on Good Morning America about whether he was the sperm donor father of Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11 - the eldest two of the star's three surrogate-born children.

Dr Arnold klein said: "To the best of my knowledge I am not the father. But if push comes to shove I cannot say anything about it."

Dr klein said Jackson considered his face "a work of art" and denied the singer wanted to change his skin colour.He added: "He was developing severe speckling and you can't look like a leopard. You have to even your skin tone."

It came as the producers of London's Thriller - Live musical announced plans for a worldwide tour. The West End Michael Jackson tribute show will begin a 12- month tour in Munich on 21 July and dates have been confirmed in most other European countries and the Us.

Reader views (0)

 Add your view

No comments have so far been submitted.


Add your comment

 

Terms and conditions Make text area bigger You have  characters left.

We welcome your opinions. This is a public forum. Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.

For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.


 

 

  • Stones would love to play at the Games, says Ronnie Wood Ronnie Wood Guitarist revealed that Rolling Stones had been in discussions about playing during the Games and in other concerts
  • Mother's grief at Whitney Houston's final journey Whitney hearse Whitney Houston's mother Cissy looked distraught today as she brought her daughter's body back to a funeral parlour in her home town
  • Dermot O'Leary is top TV choice for Valentine's Day Dermot O'Leary Dermot O'Leary proved he has the X factor after he topped a poll of the nation's women asking them to name their top TV Valentine
  • Rosie Huntington-Whiteley named top style icon at Elle Awards Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has been named the year's top style icon at the Elle Style Awards
  • Al Pacino honoured at White House ceremony Al Pacino Al Pacino was among a host of honourees awarded the 2011 National Medal of Arts at a ceremony in Washington
  • Whitney Houston was dead before she went under the water Whitney o2 Singer Whitney Houston died from a mix of drugs and alcohol - and did not drown in her hotel bath, according to reports
  • Rhys Ifans accused of assault Rhys Ifans Rhys Ifans alleged to have slapped a guest in a late-night argument in a suite at London's five-star St Pancras Renaissance hotel
  • Triumph for Adele as she finds her voice on tragic night at the Grammys adele Adele made a triumphant return after vocal cord surgery to win a record six Grammy Awards
  • The Artist dominates the Baftas as Meryl Streep wins best actress The Artist Silent film The Artist made a big noise at the Bafta film awards winning seven, including Best Film, Leading Actor and Best Director
  • Lady Gaga reveals battle with bulimia Lady Gaga Lady Gaga used to make herself sick after eating family meals because she wanted to lose her "voluptuous" curves
  •