Who Really Killed Michael Jackson?
MJ to close friend: "Don't leave me, they're trying to kill me."
Homicide.
The word hangs in the air. Somebody killed him. By accident or on purpose. Somebody killed Michael Jackson.
On Monday, the Los Angeles coroner's office reportedly ruled that the 50-year-old "King of Pop" was killed at the hands of another, and a search warrant said that Jackson had "lethal" doses of the powerful anesthetic propofol in his body when he died.
His personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, has been the focus of a possible criminal investigation, but no charges have been filed. Murray could face criminal allegations of involuntary manslaughter or negligent homicide, as well as civil charges of medical malpractice or wrongful death. Police have searched his offices in Houston as well as several storage facilities around the country. Still, many people close to Jackson wonder if the doctor should be the only target of inquiry.
Was it the reckless administration of a potent cocktail of deadly medicines that killed Jackson? Or was it a grueling schedule, relentless expectations and a zeal for perfection that led to his death? (Friends said Michael thought he had originally agreed only to a couple dozen concert dates, not the 50 that had been scheduled by promoter AEG at London's O2 Arena.) Or was it the artist's own penchant to get whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, without boundaries or limits? Could anyone say "no" to the King of Pop?
In the days after Jackson's June 25 death, I was inundated with questions and concerns from many who were close to the superstar throughout his life and career. They killed him, they would say to me. They finally did it.
What did they mean? Who were "they?" And who would stand to gain at the death of a legend?
Jackson had amassed nearly $400 million in personal debt, but still controlled billions in assets, future royalties on music rights, real estate and other holdings. His lucrative Sony/ATV catalog - which contains 250 Beatles songs, music from Elvis Pressley and Little Richard that he bought in 1987 for just $47.5 million - is easily worth 50 times that today. In fact, the catalog is set to make even more money when the interactive video game "The Beatles: Rock Band" hits shelves in October.
Jackson still co-owned - although it was heavily mortgaged - the infamous Neverland Ranch and surrounding 2,600 acres in pristine Santa Barbara County. And his own MiJack music catalog contains much of his personal music from Off the Wall, Thriller and his other solo projects -- plus an estimated 150 unreleased tunes -- and will help contribute to the more than $200 million in record sales and other revenue for the estate by year's end. In the two months since his death, Jackson's previously released albums have racked up nearly 4 million new sales. Nine out of the top 10 digital sales on iTunes the week after his death were Jackson cuts -- and his Number Ones CD, originally released in 2003, is now the year's second best-selling album, closing fast on Taylor Swift's Fearless. Plus, Sony bought the rights to his rehearsal video footage for $60 million and plans to release it as part of a documentary called "Michael Jackson THIS IS IT" in late October.
Jackson, some say, may indeed have been worth more dead than alive.
Dick Gregory, the civil rights activist and natural health proponent who had been an advisor to Jackson for years, told me that singer was often concerned for his own privacy and safety. In the days before Jackson's 2005 trial ended, Gregory was abruptly called to come and look after Michael's deteriorating health. The once-regal superstar was noticeably exhausted, dehydrated, worn out.
"Michael's mother sent word to me, come quick," Gregory recalled to me two days after Jackson died. "When I got there, Michael told me, 'Dick, don't leave me, they're trying to kill me." He never said who "they" were.
Gregory and Jackson ultimately checked into a nearby hospital, after taking a circuitous route that originally had the two driving toward San Francisco, nearly three hours away. "When we got there, they rushed him straight to the emergency room," Gregory said. "At 5 p.m., they hooked him up to IVs. At 5:15 a.m. the next morning, they were still putting fluids in him. He was fighting for his life. They said if we had waited 12 more hours, he'd have been dead."
Secrecy was also part of the life Michael lived. His close friend and attorney, John Branca, who is also co-administrator of Michael's estate, recently recovered $5.5 million that the artist had secretly squirreled away with occasional financial advisor Dr. Tohme Tohme, money Jackson wanted hidden away for a rainy day, perhaps to buy his next home.
"He said, 'Don't tell anyone about this money,'" Tohme told the Associated Press earlier this month. "But when he passed away, I told them I had this money, and I gave it to them."
Even his sister Latoya recently told London's Mail On Sunday that she feared Michael was killed by "greedy hangers-on" who preyed on the star:
I believe Michael was murdered, I felt that from the start," the 53-year-old said. "Not just one person was involved, rather it was a conspiracy of people. He was surrounded by a bad circle. Michael was a very meek, quiet, loving person. People took advantage of that. "Less than a month ago, I said I thought Michael was going to die before the London shows because he was surrounded by people who didn't have his best interests at heart.
Now, there has yet to surface any hard evidence that anyone - a single individual or those with shady business interests in the Jackson empire - has had any direct involvement in the death of the King of Pop. But the questions and conspiracy theories persist.
The investigation into who killed Michael Jackson clouds the life and legacy of MJ, arguably the most talented creative force of a generation. When people remember Michael, will it be for his work, his music, his family or his philanthropy? Or will it be as the complex, conflicted man with wolves at the door, a man who was never told "no" and indulged until the very end?
Perhaps Michael, in his own words, may have queued up his own legacy when I talked with him in 2007 for Ebony magazine:
"Everybody wants immortality. You want what you create to live, be it sculpture or painting or music. Like Michelangelo said, 'I know the creator will go but his work survives. That's why to escape death I attempt to bind my soul to my work.' That's how I feel. I give my all at work. 'Cause I want it to just live..."
Bryan Monroe conducted the last major interview with Michael Jackson in September 2007 for a cover story while he was editorial director of Ebony and Jet magazines. He has also been a regular contributor to CNN during the Jackson funeral and subsequent coverage. He can be reached at www.bryanmonroe.com.
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I hope that the investigations about Michael Jackson go on and t everything be elucidated
Mr. Jackson's insomnia was undoubtedly aggravated by high-adrenaline rehearsals and performances. He knew that he needed sleep and healthy nourishment to stay strong, and took steps to obtain both. He knew that he had to have a healthy body in order to perform. If you accept that was his mindset - and I believe it was - you may view his choices from a different perspective.
I'd like to suggest that in his quest to obtain much-needed rest, Mr. Jackson may have also specifically sought to avoid becoming addicted to sedatives commonly used to treat insomnia.
Propofol/Diprivan is neither an opiate or a barbituate. I haven't read anything that suggests it is addictive. Furthermore, Propofol/Diprivan is extremely short-lived, and is quickly out of your system once the IV drip is turned off.
Mr. Jackson could have reasonably believed that Propofol/Diprivan was a "safe" medication. In fact, it is safe under certain circumstances, namely:
1. the presence of a physician who will continuously monitor the patient's vital signs, and who is also skilled in resuscitation;
2. the use of monitoring equipment which will sound alarms if blood oxygenation, blood pressure or heart rates fall to dangerous levels; and
3. the availability of resuscitative drugs and equipment such as one would find on a 'crash cart'.
The responsibility for items 1 - 3 rests on the medical provider, not Mr. Jackson.
To evaluate Michael’s death properly, one first has to put it in the context of his life. From 1993 onwards, his life was ripped apart by molestation accusations. Did it matter to the press that Evan Chandler- a failed ex-dentist and wanna-be screenwriter had to drug his son Jordan in order to get him to accuse Michael, or that the boy stated categorically Michael had been circumcised when he hadn’t been, or that Michael had wanted to fight the accusations but was convinced not to when he saw the ferocity of the media’s stance? For the next twenty years, baiting Michael Jackson would warp into a national sport in the States and an obsession for Tom Sneddon. The unprecedented pressure exacerbated a drug addiction Michael might otherwise have beaten (his early career was marked by abstension), and deepened his reliance on plastic surgery thus objectifying him futher in the public’s mind. Interesting isn’t it, that while Sneddon spent millions and valuable man-power persecuting Michael for over two decades, the californian police missed numerous opportuinites to catch a real abuser who took Jaycee around the same time. The personal shame and responsibilty of Tom Sneddon and the media for their part to play in this tragedy is an indelible mark on their souls. Ultimately, they killed Michael - Murray was simply the last opportunist on the scene.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!! MISS YOU! REST IN PEACE !!!!!!!!!!
Michael Jackson was murdered to stop him from continuing fight
against the gangster elements in the music recording industry:
Here's are two You Tube videos of Michael Jackson talking about how Sony
and Tommy Mottola plotted against him and other
artists, one in particular being, Maria Carey, Mottola's former wife.
Click on the links below:
Michael Jackson asks for Justice in the Music Industry...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OBUgE6EDFo&feature=related
In London speaks against Sony and Tommy Mottola
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIb9PFrmCT4
The Fanned post was for Anare! This my friends is the type of thinking when cosigned with actions, makes the world a better place. Change "The Man in the Mirror" you've changed the world one step, minute, hour and/or day at a time. Change not only that you can believe, but change you can effect. Ask not what can be changed for you; ask what can I do to effect change to semi quote a little JFK as we lay his kid brother to rest. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Kennedy families and friends. Especially Teddy Kennedy's wifes, children and grandchildren. GOD bless you all in your time of need.
The truth is we don't know nor should we have the right to know. Let Micheal rest in peace the peace fame and stardom sap from the human soul. Perhaps we should consider granting famous folks their space as they're only human at the end of the day. Such a talented person manipulated for profit all his life and worshiped by fans way to much. What a terrible price to pay for fame and glory. We could all take a lesson from this tragedy by whatever means it came about there is no god but the ALMIGHTY GOD. You want to worship something, try the real GOD.
MJ killed himself could not live with reality and he just wanted more of the good thing until it took his life. Unfortunate but, TRUE get ovet it and move on. He could not put a big toe in Duane Allman's shoe and I got over it in 1971, but still love to listen to his and the brothers music. Grow up and put on a new pair of pants and live like MJ would want you to. Grab your brotherhood/sisterhood while you are putting on those pants.
The idea of a conspiracy among several to kill Michael Jackson for financial seems far-fetched until you consider the horrors groups of people have committed for far less potential gain. I'm nowhere near convinced of such a conspiracy here, but it's something someone in authority should eliminate as a reasonable possibility before it is ruled out of bounds as an idea.
In one sense, the notion of a larger plot makes what we're learning about Dr. Murray's actions more plausible. To consider one man, a physician no less, making so many obvious and stupid mistakes all on his own bends the brain a little. It is ironically easier to suppose that this pitiful man with his pitiful, spotted past was chosen as an ideal fall guy to hide others who stood to gain from Mr. Jackson's demise. We just will never know. Fall guy or not, Dr. Murray's going to go down for this one and the world will just move on.
To requote a famous last line; It wasn't the drugs that killed MJ, it was the fame.
With all his debts, it seems like Micheal was worth more alive than dead. He was just surrounded by people that didn't care about him Hopefully they will be able to get the addiction enabling doctors off the streets, though, before they hurt more people. Micheal's death is very tragic and stupid. No one should die that way.
"....the most talented creative force of a generation...."
Indeed he was. No one can touch him.
Sure there was a conspiracy to kill Michael Jackson. It existed between Michael Jackson and the plethora of doctors, lawyers, professional hangers-on and his circle of family and friends that allowed his addictions to not only continue but to flourish. MJ had enough money to pay his peeps to see to his needs and his pusher to see to his NEED.
It's sad.
Homocide? Uh-oh -- nobody tell Bonnie Fuller!
And I stood arrow straight
Unencumbered by the weight
Of all these hustlers and their schemes
Bob Seger -- Like a Rock
Unfortunately, Mr. Jackson was encumbered by the hustlers and their schemes over a lifetime of exposure to such hustling and scheming.
“They” don’t really care about us? Who is they? Listen to that song. As Tupac did, Mr. Jackson named the enemy and he did not stutter when he said it.
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