Health Nuts and Bolts

Cited: AP/MedPage Today/Los Angeles Times/Fox News

According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, the initial findings from the autopsy did not identify the cause of death of Michael Jackson. Craig Harvey, chief coroner investigator, said there was no final determination until additional toxicology, neuropathology and pulmonary tests could be completed in 4-6 weeks. So far, it seems that supplementary results have ruled out foul play.

But he added that the police have put a hold on the investigation, limiting what can be disclosed about additional findings until the final determination has been made. Harvey refused to comment on whether drugs may have played a role in Jackson’s death.

“We know he was taking some prescription medications,” Harvey said. “I can’t comment on any specific drugs Mr. Jackson may have had or used.”

Jackson, 50, collapsed at about noon Thursday at his rented home in the Los Angeles area and stopped breathing. Attempts to revive him there and at a local hospital were unsuccessful.

A physician was present when Jackson collapsed and led the initial resuscitation effort, according to the unidentified man who called 911 from Jackson’s home to request an ambulance. The man who called 911 said Jackson had stopped breathing and that the physician was desperately trying to apply cardiopulmonary resuscitation, without success. News reports identified the physician as Conrad Robert Murray, MD, a cardiologist with practices in Las Vegas and Houston.

According to one source of the Los Angeles County coroner, investigators were surprised to find that the pop star was actually healthy when he died. The source also revealed the Fox news that he appeared to be stronger than expected. The corner did find bruises that indicated someone had tried CPR, however there was no sign of a heart attack.

A source told the Associated Press on Friday that Jackson had suffered a heart attack. But the Fox News source said investigators believe that wasn’t the case and that drugs may have indeed played a role in stopping Jackson’s heart and/or lungs.

The Fox News source also mentioned that investigators saw significant scarring on Jackson’s face as this was the first time they saw him without makeup on. His body was being kept in its own private locked crypt at the morgue to prevent any photos from being leaked.

After hearing of Michael Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009, Janet Jackson caught a flight to LA from Atlanta. Earlier that day it is rumored that moving vans arrived with dollies and equipment, loaded and left within an hour of arrival.

Meanwhile, Michael Jackson’s family is looking into performing an independent autopsy of their own to determine what caused the death of the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson, according to civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson.

It is undetermined what actually caused the death of Michael Jackson as the L.A. County Coroner’s office has deferred the cause and is awaiting for a number of tests which can take weeks or even a month or more. However, reports are circulating that an injection of Demerol and/or other prescription medicine may have played a part in the death of the celebrity star.

At the time, Janet Jackson learned of her brother, Michael Jackson’s death, the singer and actress was in pre-production for a film her manager has stated.

As of now, the Jackson family and Michael Jackson’s three children are currently stated to be at the home he was renting in Encino neighborhood in Los Angeles, CA (Holmby Hills estate) where the Pop, R&B singer experienced cardiac arrest before his death and are talking over funeral arrangements.

A police spokesman said detectives had spoken briefly with the physician at the hospital where Jackson was taken and planned to interview him again more thoroughly. The spokesperson emphasized that the police were assisting the coroner’s investigation, not conducting a criminal inquiry at this point.

At present, police are investigating Michael Jackson’s prescription drug history and trying to talk to numerous former doctors. Joe Jackson, Jackson’s father, reportedly told ABC news that he believed that foul play was involved in his son’s death. However, on “Good Morning America” he did not elaborate on his earlier statement.

Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton told CNN that police are waiting for the coroner’s report before ruling out any possibilities in their “comprehensive” investigation into the sudden death of the 50-year-old pop star two weeks ago. The coroner’s report will determine the cause of death and hinges on time-consuming toxicology tests.

“Based on those we’ll have an idea of what we’re dealing with,” Bratton said Thursday. “Are we dealing with homicide? Are we dealing with an accidental overdose? What are we dealing with?”

Bratton said detectives are gathering evidence, including items seized from Jackson’s rented home and arranging interviews with his many physicians, but the police chief deferred to the coroner to determine the cause of death.

“The next move really is his,” Bratton said. “We’re not marking time waiting for his report.” The Drug Enforcement Administration and the state attorney general’s office, which keeps a database of prescription drugs, are assisting investigators. An attorney for Dr. Arnold Klein, one of Jackson’s many physicians, told the Los Angeles Times that the dermatologist was subpoenaed for medical records, which he turned over to the county coroner’s office. Bratton refused to discuss details of the case.

Jackson, who died June 25, had a well-known history of using prescription medications, especially painkillers. Following his death, Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse who had worked for Jackson, told The Associated Press she repeatedly rejected his demands for the potent anesthetic Diprivan, also known as Propofol.

Jackson had multiple doctors, friends and staff who came in and out of his life. Which people were being interviewed by police was unclear because the LAPD has said virtually nothing about the probe. Joe Jackson said he did not know anything about drugs his son was involved in.

“I don’t even know the name of them,” he said. “I do know that whatever he was taking was to make him rest because he had been working so hard.”

Police towed a doctor’s car from Jackson’s home hours after he died and said later it could contain medication or other evidence. Coroner’s officials also said Jackson was taking prescription medication but declined to elaborate.

Meanwhile, Joe Jackson told ABC that he and his wife, Katherine, should have custody of Michael’s three children. “They’ll grow up to be strong Jacksons,” he said. He told ABC that Michael’s daughter, Paris, was taking his death hard and cried every time his name was mentioned. They also mentioned that she may have a future in the entertainment business along with her younger brother, Blanket, who “can really dance”.

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My Take: I am not one of the biggest Michael Jackson fans around. However, I did enjoy much of his music as many people did. I am a diehard Elvis Presley fan. Michael’s death makes me remember Elvis and all the mystery and conflict that came with it.

I am sure that like Elvis, Michael did not have to worry about whole life insurance quotes, more than likely, he got universal life insurance quotes before you purchased his life insurance policy. Even if his estate was worth millions, this ensures that his children would be cared for financially.

It is his children that I feel sorry for, because they will not have a father as they grow up. They will miss all of those special things that kids usually do with their fathers. What really bothers me are the rumors and the reports that his family is arguing over who will raise them including their own mother. If Michael did not state in his will or would raise them, they should choose themselves.

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