This article provides an overview of Michael Jackson’s cause of death, including information on the police investigation, autopsy report, and more.
Background
Known around the globe as the King of Pop, Michael Jackson delivered chart-topping hits and outstanding live performances to audiences worldwide. With a long list of number-one hits such as “Billie Jean,” “Thriller,” and “Rock With You,” the entertainer enjoyed success throughout his life.
While preparing for an upcoming performance, Jackson was having trouble sleeping. He felt that sleeping was essential to his ability to deliver such outstanding performances. I’m sure most people feel the same way. In his own words, he said, “If I can’t sleep, I can’t function.” It is unclear if this was an ongoing problem. Or if it was related to the stress of his upcoming concert performance.
What happened on the night Michael Jackson died?
On June 25, 2009, the singer left the performance rehearsal and returned to his home. His home was on North Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles, California. During the rehearsal and retiring to bed, Jackson complained of exhaustion. According to reports, the pop icon was dehydrated and having trouble sleeping.
During that time, the singer/performer was under the care of Dr. Conrad Murray. The doctor, a cardiologist, acquired and administered the drugs each night to help Jackson get an appropriate amount of rest. That night, Dr. Murray administered the drugs and was the last person to see him alive. Then, at around midnight, the doctor determined that Jackson wasn’t breathing. He attempted to revive him by performing CPR and calling paramedics.
Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived at approximately 12:26 AM. At the scene, they determined that the singer was in cardiac arrest. Next, they continued to perform CPR. Also, they injected epinephrine and atropine. Yet, he remained unresponsive. So, they rushed him to a nearby hospital, the UCLA Medical Center. Unfortunately, they could not revive him, and he was pronounced dead. The time of death was 2:26 AM on June 25, 2009.
Michael Jackson’s cause of death
The L.A. Times published a copy of his autopsy report. In the report, Michael Jackson’s official cause of death is “acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication” combined with sedatives. According to the toxicologist, propofol in his system was equivalent to the amount needed for major surgery.
In addition, the report indicates he was taking several prescription medications. For example, Clonazepam, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Irazodone, and Flomax.
In addition, the report revealed several other disturbing things about the singer, including:
- First, his lips were tattooed the color pink
- Also, his eyebrows were tattooed a dark color
- In addition, the front of his scalp was tattooed with black
- He suffered from vitiligo, a skin condition
However, despite these oddities, Jackson had no illness or disease that contributed to his death. Doctors speculated that he would have lived an average lifespan if it weren’t for the overdose.
What was his condition on the night he died?
He weighed just 132 pounds.
He was only 50 years old.
Fox News reported that the pop star was emaciated at his death. However, the coroner’s report states that he was still relatively healthy.
What was Jackson’s Estate Worth?
After he died, the IRS valued his estate at approximately $1.3 billion. According to the star’s will, he left 40% of his estate to his three children. Also, he left approximately 40% to his mother, while approximately 20% went to various charitable organizations.
Questions and Comments
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