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Family put Michael Jackson's body on ice for evidence in murder investigation
David Gardner, in Los Angeles16 Jul 2009
Michael Jackson's body is being kept on ice in case it can provide evidence for a police murder investigation, it was revealed today.
Three weeks after Jackson's death, the singer has not been buried and remains in a refrigerated underground crypt at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Now law-enforcement sources have disclosed that the Jackson family has delayed burial because they expect detectives investigating the death to confirm they are now conducting a full murder inquiry.
One target of the probe is said to be Dr Conrad Murray, the physician who was with Jackson when his heart stopped and tried unsuccessfully to revive him.
Several other doctors, including the star's former dermatologist Dr Arnold Klein, have also being interviewed.
Investigators now believe Jackson died after being illegally administered the sedative Propofol, an anaesthetic supposed to be used only in hospitals.
Within hours of Jackson's death on 25 June, police were suspicious about the coterie of doctors who allegedly provided him with a steady supply of prescription drugs over the years.
But the focus of the investigation switched to Propofol after vials of the drug were found in Jackson's rented Holmby Hills mansion after he died. An IV stand that may have been used to help administer the anaesthetic was also found during two sweeps of the house.Jackson reportedly used the drug in the past to help with his chronic insomnia.
Detectives are still awaiting the now-imminent results of toxicology tests ordered by the Los Angeles Coroner before announcing their next move.
While officers are not suggesting anyone deliberately killed the 50-year-old, they say that if evidence emerges that a doctor illegally gave Jackson a lethal dose of Propofol, he could face second-degree murder or manslaughter charges.
“Are we dealing with a homicide? Are we dealing with an accidental overdose? Based on those tests, we will have an idea what we are dealing with,” said Los Angeles police chief William Bratton.
Both Jackson's father, Joe, and his sister, LaToya, have said they believe foul play was involved in his death.
Friends say the family decided to delay the burial rather than risk having to exhume the body if new clues emerged from the autopsy. They are also waiting for the results of their privately commissioned second autopsy.
“This way, the police can move quickly if there is anything more they need to know,” said a family friend. “There is a reason the police put the murder squad in charge of this investigation from the start. They already had strong suspicions that it was more than a simple accident.” The family are also hoping for the return of parts of Jackson's brain that were used in neuropathology tests before moving his body to its final resting place.
Police this week visited the Beverly Hills office of Dr Klein, saying he had not fully complied with a request to hand over his medical records. One report suggested investigators already had “plenty of powerful evidence” that could help lead to a successful prosecution over Jackson's death. Detectives are said to have spoken to the Los Angeles District Attorney's office about bringing possible criminal charges.
Reader views (14)
I think micheal should be buried now because it's been 3 weeks move on with your lifes already let micheal rest in peace I met his family there nothing like people say they are
- Anthony Salomone, farmington,wisconsin, 07/08/2009 06:08
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There is no doubt Michael Jackson is resting in peace after a job well done on earth. However, those who did not care about Michael as a person are not going to rest until every drop of blood/money is sucked out of the estate of Michael Jackson, the performer. Are we to believe Michael would establish a Family Trust to have his family begging while a lawyer and a manager live large at his expense. Michael's money should stay with his family. They are the ones who nurtured his dream. They are the one's who stuck by him during his trials. They are the ones that he could be real with. They are the ones caring for his children. His family are the ones responsible for finding a safe resting place for his remains. They are the ones to share his fortune and legacy. It all begins and ends with family.
- Intell, Atlanta, GA, 25/07/2009 03:17
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I Wish They Would Just Let Him Rest.It's Been Almost A Month And He Still Isn't Buried Yet. They Are Still Cutting His Body Up Too Much, Doing All Of Those Autopsies and Stuff. I'm Only 16 And I Can Tell That It's Not Right. I Just Hope That He's In A Much Better Place He Wasnt Well Enough By Enough People. I Hope He Is Resting In Paradise!
- 1958-The End Of Time, Wilmington, Delaware, 22/07/2009 14:00
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So sad this whole saga.
- Shelley, Australia, 20/07/2009 00:55
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I do not get it! Why are the cops asking for his medical records so that they can sell it to the highest bidding newspaper/tabloid/tv for money. sick greedy cops! because that's what they will do eventually! I HATE the media. MICHAEL is as much as human as everyone else He deserves respect! ALL his life they wanted money from him even in death its about MONEY! SICK
- Swe, Chicago, 17/07/2009 07:42
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Its very devastating to see him passing at such an early age...and now he can't even rest in peace...pray for him to RIP...his legacy will always be continued...
- Sue, Malaysia, 17/07/2009 06:18
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LEAVE HIM ALONE (YOU HEAR HIS SONG)DO IT AND LET THIS GREAT MAN RIP YOU PEOPLE ARE VERY DISRESPECTFUL BURY HIM AND JOE QUIT CUTTING YOUR SON UP BECAUSE YOU DID NOT GET NONE OF HIS MONEY I THINK YOUR JUST BEING HATEFUL AND STILL ABUSEIVE TO MICHAEL HE WAS A VERY CARING MAN THAT BILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD KNOWS
I FILL SO BAD FOR MICHAEL HE IS NOT GETTING HIS LAST WISH THE FAMILY ARE THE ONES NOT LETTING HIM REST THEY ARE VERY GREEDY PEOPLE JOE THE DAD IS A REAL FLAMING A--HOLE A LYING F--- AND A GREEDY BASTARD TRYING TO TAKE MICHAELS KIDS ON TOUR ARE YOU FOR REAL SO YOU COULD ABUSE THEM TOO. YOU NEED TO GET GONE AND STAY GONE ....
YOU DO NOT DESERVE A GOOD SON LIKE MICHAEL ....
NO-ONE IN YOUR FAMILY CALLS YOU DAD BECAUSE YOU ABUSE ALL OF THEM THEY CALL YOU JOE ... TO ALL WHO READS THIS JUST WATCH ON YOUTUBE LIVING WITH MICHAEL...HE TELLS EVERYTHING IT IS VERY GOOD AND VERY TRUTHFUL...NOW THEY HAVE HIM ON ICE 3WKS LATER LET HIM GO AND LET HIM REST NOW THIS IS NOT HOW HE WANTED IT TO BE AFTER HE DIED...
I AND A BILLION PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD LOVES HIM AND FOREVER WILL.. YOU KNOW WATCHING ALL HIS LIFE MAKES YOU LOVE HIM FOR THE PERSON HE WAS AND NOT FOR HIS MUSIC (((IT WAS AND STILL IS GREAT))) BUT FOR THE MAN HE WAS EVEN BETTER PLEASE WATCH EVERYTHING ABOUT MICHAEL YOU WILL SEE WHAT I MEAN ((( THIS MAN IS A CARING PERSON A LOVING PERSON )))
UNLIKE HIS GREEDY FAMILY LEAVE HIM ALONE
FOREVER LOVEU
- Victoria, cleveland ohio usa, 16/07/2009 21:45
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When I heard about the death of michael Jackson I felt very very bad, because since I was small I always loved his songs, until now I still do. Michael I will miss you and the world will do too.
- Louise M. Dennis, Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, 16/07/2009 18:00
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Michael Jackson is the BEST PERFORMER EVER!!!!! No one will ever beat him....his SONGS ARE GREAT, HIS DANCE MOVES ARE AWESOME.....His PERFORMANCES ARE BREATH TAKING!!!!! I will surely miss him as I grew up with his songs...and I don't care what others say about him....he is a gentle and loving person.....for once and for all let's just leave him at peace and stop talking ill about him......Michael I know that you are happy where you are and even if I will miss you I am just glad you're away from it all....Rest in Peace.....I LOVE YOU MICHAEL JACKSON!!!!!!
- Caroline, Manila, Philippines, 16/07/2009 17:00
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I think that media should stay out of things. This was a problem when michael was alive. People wouldn't leave the man alone when he was alive, now they can't stop while he is dead. Give the man some peace. I would have loved to meet the man in person. He sounds like a truely giving and loving person. I loved his music. Some came out when I was going through some hard times. The songs doing these times stuck to my heart.
- Dena, Hamilton, OH, 16/07/2009 15:00
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Oh boy, this is going to run and run, isn't it!
I'm starting to get the impression that the man's often weird actions in life didn't fall too far from the family's mental tree.
As a performer, he was up there amongst the greats - there's little question of that. You don't have to like his style to understand that if you have two brain cells to rub together. Off-stage, he (and now apparently his family) was more questionable.
- Rogan, Irving, 16/07/2009 14:57
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What a terrible decision to have to make to hold back on the burial of your loved one. And all the while there are people dissecting his life because he is not here to defend himself - this family's situation is not enviable. I do hope someone will point out all the sensationalism for what it is at some point also, it's getting rediculous that the tabloids are pawing over every aspect of his life now like it's open season. Utterly disgusting. RIP MJ.
- Suzan, london uk, 16/07/2009 14:04
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i like michael jackson because i like it song it nice and beautiful.love it very much.
- Nadiah, malaysia, 16/07/2009 13:53
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I happy Michael Jakson Muslim and i very like he song and dance.I have a lot of magazines at home. Wokey bye
- Intan, malaysia, 16/07/2009 13:47
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