27 June 2009 3:07 PM, PDT | Studio Briefing - Film News | See recent Studio Briefing - Film News news »
A private, independent autopsy was reportedly being conducted on the body of Michael Jackson this afternoon after the Los Angeles County Coroner/Medical Examiner said that it had been unable to determine the cause of death in its initial examination. In a statement, the coroner’s office said that a final determination would have to await toxicological tests, which could take several weeks. Earlier today (Saturday) the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who is not related but who has close ties to the Jackson family, said that the family had asked for an independent autopsy because there were still “unanswered questions” surrounding the singer’s death. He said that they also wanted to question Jackson’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad R. Murray, who reportedly was living at Jackson’s rented estate when the performer went into cardiac arrest on Thursday and was administering CPR to him when paramedics were called. Meanwhile, Dr. Murray’s lawyer told a reporter for the Reuter News Agency that it was untrue that the physician had been hiding from authorities. “Contrary to what has been out there, Dr. Murray has been cooperating with authorities from the outset and will continue to do so,” attorney Bill Stradley said. Following Jackson’s death, several persons close to the singer claimed that he had been abusing prescription drugs and speculated that Dr. Murray may have injected him with the painkiller Demerol shortly before he went into cardiac arrest.
Update: Murray Meets With Investigators -- “Not a Suspect” - Associated Press
Lawyer for Doctor: Jackson Had Pulse When Found - Associated Press »
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