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Michael Jackson pleaded with a nurse to inject him with a powerful anaesthetic just four days before he died, it was revealed today.
The pop superstar was warned that the side effects of the sedative could be fatal but still demanded an injection.
Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse who first met Jackson in January to treat his children for a common cold, said today she refused his requests for Diprivan.
Ms Lee said: I told him this medication is not safe. He said, I just want to get some sleep. You don't understand. I just want to be able to be knocked out and go to sleep.'
I told him and it is so painful that I actually felt it in my whole spirit If you take this you might not wake up.'
The drug, also known by its generic name of Propofol, is used as an anaesthetic during surgery. An initial dose puts a person to sleep but an overdose can lead to a heart attack.
Authorities in Los Angeles are awaiting toxicology tests which should show why Jackson dropped dead on Thursday aged 50. It is thought he overdosed on prescription painkillers. Ms Lee is licensed as a registered nurse, according to the California Board of Registered Nursing website and she is a proponent of alternative medicine, using a holistic approach.
Ms Lee told CNN that four days before Jackson's death, she received a call from a member of Jackson's entourage claiming the singer felt that one side of his body was cold while the other was hot. I could hear Mr Jackson saying in the background, Please have her come see me now', said Ms Lee.
The nurse, who was in Florida at the time, said she told Jackson's minders to take him to a hospital. I was really afraid because of the symptoms they were telling me, she said. It could have meant something going on in the nervous system or something cardiovascular. Ms Lee said she chose not to go to the authorities after his death. When I saw it on the news, I really didn't know what to do, she said. I was saddened. I heard there was a physician there.
Ms Lee also could not say why Jackson would call on her, when she had seen him three months ago.
The only thing I can think of is he recalled the symptoms I was telling him, she said. But, she added, she didn't know of any doctors who would have given him the drug.
I asked him, What doctor gave you this drug?' she said, when the singer initially brought up the medicine. He told me, Oh it was a long time ago.'
When asked about Ms Lee's account, Jackson family lawyer Londell McMillan said: I wonder why someone would make a comment about drugs when they haven't seen him take the drug or anyone who administered it.
Reader views (26)
Come on now,ease up off Joe Jackson.He didn't give his son a lethal IV drip now did he?Michael wasn't nearly damaged from just what his father did.He was damaged from far more than that.What damaged Michael was those molestation cases he had on him.That's what destroyed our beloved.What Michael didn't want to happened during his trials and tribulations was to lose the love of his fans.People were talking about him,they lost alot of respect for him,they drug Michael through the mud and the fire.And the results of all that,led up to his death.Please let's not blame all that on Joe Jackson.In reality I blame everyone who lost trust in him,who doubted him when he was being accused for such a terrible thing such as molesting little boys. Everybody in some way had a lil doubt.Michael builted Neverland for children with every ounce of love in his entire being,and they turned it into a circus of shame and hatred.No one has ever thought to do something so loving and caring for children the way Michael did.How dare them!!!!!And now Dr.Murray with all his bullshit about someone gave him a dosage of Demorol behind a IV drip of Propofol?Why was he left unattended.They say when someone is given this lethal drug,They should be monitored.So why was Dr. Murray not around to stop someone from giving him the Demorol? No EKG machine was not found inside his rented apartment?Why?It was mandatory to have that in case Michael would have flatlined,and they would have been able to save him.
- Casey413, USA, 14/08/2009 04:51
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Micheal Jackson, will be honored in heaven, as he was on earth. He gave to the poor countries , and care for all that he could, and that is more than many has done on this earth. God Bless Micheal , and rest in peace.
- Marie L., USA Arizona., 03/08/2009 08:42
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- Tony, London
In my book just sleeping with other peoples children (freely admit by Jackson) is a crime and would be deemed so in this country. Whatever else took place is open to debate but most know what Jackson was and try to justify it by his upbringing. Would you allow others the same defence to escape serious charges?
Jackson is not the only person to have had an abused upbringing and it should not be used to justify anything. Two wrongs can never make a right. I agree with others lets move on he is not worth out concerns. I doubt we will ever know the truth but from the evidence of our eyes the guy was a freak needing serious help and his family and friends seemed to have let him down IMHO
- Gary, Brentwood, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Hi Lorraine, London: 'compare Farrah Fawcett to Michael Jackson. Come on, let's be realistic.' Yeah realistic: where have you been the last 40 years.
- Boludo, london, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Will this EVER END??
- Johninphoenix, phoenix az usa, 03/08/2009 07:42
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We will never know what the last days of his life was really like before his death. So many people coming out of the woodwork with claims of what Michael did or said or not say or do. Some of it will be from their imagination and an opportunity for some limelight for their themselves.
- Lin, London England, 03/08/2009 07:42
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So now, even after his death, every body with any snippet of unqualified info equals news?
I am no fan of MJ, but the sheer amount of rubbish which is passed as news or valid insight even after his death amazes me.
Like him or not, we won't get a full idea based on these rumblings. Can we move on?
- Simon, London, 03/08/2009 07:42
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MICHEAL JACKSON, SADLY RE-CREATED HIMSELF, SO THAT HE MIGHT 'ESCAPE' THE REAL WORLD...AROUND HIMSELF. THERE WAS NO ESCAPE FOR THIS GIFTED MAN IN LIFE! HOPEFULLY, HE WILL FIND THE PEACE HE WAS SO DESPERATELY IN NEED OF NOW. REST IN PEACE MICHAEL. YOU WILL FOREVER...BE REMEMBERED!
- Mary Madsen, Boston Mass USA, 03/08/2009 07:42
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it seems everybody wants to credit some fame, even on His death...nothing is sacred no more. He's on the other journey, God rest His soul
- Tom, London, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Now the backlash can begin! So let me say that I am sad Michael Jackson died but he had ALl the advantages and tons of talent, yet chose to self-destruct. For a comparison, look at Stevie Wonder, also a child star, who went on to become a fine musician and a gentleman.
I blame Jackson's abusive father and greedy parents for everything that happened to him. But with a lot of self-discipline he could have overcome it, not turned to drugs, and been a real role-model for young blacks.
Stevie Wonder did this, and I admire him for it.
- Sidney Marks, London, UK, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Lets hope he has found peace. I know I have, knowing we finally have closure
- Fiery, Ealing, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Just because someone is found not guilty does not mean they are innocent.As an American citizen myself I can assure you all that anyone with enough $s can get off any charge in the United States.
If it weren't for all that I would still not have any interest in the man because his music is not my taste. Fair enough if it is yours but you cannot expect everyone to bow down and pay homage to what is after all the death of just another human being. We all got to go sometime. My personal view is his time on earth was cut short for a reason. Karma.
- M Farbiash, Highgate, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Weird or not... the man had amazing talent and there will be nobody like him...
- Sanjay, Hounslow, UK, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Jackson did not "ask for a lethal jab", he asked for a jab, and was told it might be lethal. The headline gives the impression that Jackson asked to be killed, which he didn't. Sorry to see your subeditors stooping to tabloid levels to sex up a story.
- David, London, UK, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Yes, I'd like a bit of peace as well: from this non story and back to some real news.
- Alan, London, 03/08/2009 07:42
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The reason why the mixed (suppressed across the press) reception to MJ's death is not his aptitude, looks or eccentricity but his sexual conduct which many find abhorrent, what has been admitted is enough to say it is 100% wrong. The US courts are a charade if you have money and we all know it. He would be on the sexual offenders register if he lived here as his family do (Devon).
- Jerry, Chiswick, 03/08/2009 07:42
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How msny more people who are 'involved' in this charade will be dredged up over the next few months ?
Good luck everybody - and don't forget there is real news, affecting all of us, out there. Unfortunately a lot of the media are focussing on this tripe instead.
- Dixon Kipretich, Ugley, Essex, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Lets be thankful that cherylin refused his request,otherwise he would have died three days earlier!,-the amount of sedatives he was daily gulping down its unlikely MJ would not have lasted the year out anyway,-rest in peace MJ,-lets just enjoy his musical legacy.
- Jacob, Canterbury Kent, 03/08/2009 07:42
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I think it's a sick world with a lot of very sick people in it who think the passing of a man like this is a bad thing.
I bet Gary Glitter is observing all this and wondering where he went wrong.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Its easy to see that MJ was like Peter Pan because he never had a real child hood of his own. His money made it
possible for him to act those dreams out that only a child would understand.
There was never any evidence of wrong doing but lots to suggest that money was a factor in coming forward and making suggestions... MJ left himself open to these suggestions because he was to naive.
The courts and majority of people realise that MJ is not likely to have abused children and we have to accept that - just because he is dead does not give you the right to make such nasty remarks.
He is being judged by God now so give it a rest !!!!
- Tony, London, 03/08/2009 07:42
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The famiy may regret the findings of the 2nd autopsy. And the wird unsavoury facts that will emerge about Jackson. His money can no longer buy silence. Fame was a Fautian pact for Jackson.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Dhan Raj, Basildon, i can see that yours is the only comment on this page. There is no follow up to your mind i think. weird not wird OK.
- Boludo, london, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Faustian not Fautian
- Prototypical Englishman, Wormwood Scrubs, 03/08/2009 07:42
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In response to Lorraine, London: I don't think you can even compare Farrah Fawcett to Michael Jackson. Come on, let's be realistic.
- Monica, London, UK, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Oh please why didn't somebody/anyone have given Micheal that jab he so desperately wanted and save us the general public from weeks of garbage in the press.
- Col, london, 03/08/2009 07:42
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Bored, bored, bored. Yes it was a shock when Michael first died but can we move on now please? Was Farrah Fawcett's funeral even covered?
- Lorraine, London, 03/08/2009 07:42
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