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The Los Angeles County Coroner/Medical Examiner is expected to
disclose preliminary autopsy findings this afternoon (Friday)
concerning the cause of death Thursday of Michael Jackson.
The singer’s passing -- which made headlines throughout the world --
came as he was preparing a series of comeback concerts in the U.K.
under the banner “This Is It!” Word that paramedics had been called to
Jackson’s home in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles where he was
reportedly in full cardiac arrest was first flashed to the world via
the Los Angeles Times website. By the end of the day, virtually every
major Internet news outlet throughout the world was being swamped by
people wanting to learn about the circumstances surrounding his death.
They found little. The TMZ website posted video apparently taken by
someone aboard a tour bus of a Los Angeles Fire Department emergency
vehicle parked in front of Jackson’s home. Entertainment Tonight had a photo of Jackson as he arrived unconscious at UCLA Medical Center.
Brian Oxman, a spokesman for the Jackson family, disclosed on CNN that
the singer had been having difficulty rehearsing for his London
performances at L.A.’s Staples Center because of pain from previous
injuries. “His use of medications had gotten in the way,” Oxman said.
The London Sun reported that it had learned from paramedics that
Jackson had collapsed after being given an injection of the painkiller
Demerol by his personal physician, who was administering CPR to him
when they arrived. Results of toxicological tests conducted during
today’s autopsy are not expected to be made known for several days or
perhaps even weeks. However, AEG Live, the Philip Anschutz-owned
concert company that was producing Jackson’s sold-out London shows,
said early today that he had passed an insurance examination by
independent doctors only recently. Nevertheless, the Los Angeles Times
recently reported that although AEG Live had been able to obtain
insurance from Lloyd’s of London for his London shows, the rest of his
tour dates -- which were expected to gross as much as $500 million --
were not covered.
All four major TV networks aired news specials about Jackson Thursday. In addition, NBC reran its recent documentary about Farrah Fawcett, who also died Thursday.
disclose preliminary autopsy findings this afternoon (Friday)
concerning the cause of death Thursday of Michael Jackson.
The singer’s passing -- which made headlines throughout the world --
came as he was preparing a series of comeback concerts in the U.K.
under the banner “This Is It!” Word that paramedics had been called to
Jackson’s home in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles where he was
reportedly in full cardiac arrest was first flashed to the world via
the Los Angeles Times website. By the end of the day, virtually every
major Internet news outlet throughout the world was being swamped by
people wanting to learn about the circumstances surrounding his death.
They found little. The TMZ website posted video apparently taken by
someone aboard a tour bus of a Los Angeles Fire Department emergency
vehicle parked in front of Jackson’s home. Entertainment Tonight had a photo of Jackson as he arrived unconscious at UCLA Medical Center.
Brian Oxman, a spokesman for the Jackson family, disclosed on CNN that
the singer had been having difficulty rehearsing for his London
performances at L.A.’s Staples Center because of pain from previous
injuries. “His use of medications had gotten in the way,” Oxman said.
The London Sun reported that it had learned from paramedics that
Jackson had collapsed after being given an injection of the painkiller
Demerol by his personal physician, who was administering CPR to him
when they arrived. Results of toxicological tests conducted during
today’s autopsy are not expected to be made known for several days or
perhaps even weeks. However, AEG Live, the Philip Anschutz-owned
concert company that was producing Jackson’s sold-out London shows,
said early today that he had passed an insurance examination by
independent doctors only recently. Nevertheless, the Los Angeles Times
recently reported that although AEG Live had been able to obtain
insurance from Lloyd’s of London for his London shows, the rest of his
tour dates -- which were expected to gross as much as $500 million --
were not covered.
All four major TV networks aired news specials about Jackson Thursday. In addition, NBC reran its recent documentary about Farrah Fawcett, who also died Thursday.
