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Pop star's death follows months of workouts in comeback attempt
By John Rogers
Associated Press
Published on Saturday, Jun 27, 2009
LOS ANGELES: The final act of Michael Jackson's life came into clearer focus Friday, a picture of a fallen superstar working out with TV's Incredible Hulk and under the care of his own private cardiologist as he tried to get his 50-year-old body in shape for a grueling bid to reclaim his glory.
While the exact circumstances of his death remained unclear, early clues suggested he might simply have pushed his heart too far.
Police said they had towed the doctor's BMW from Jackson's home, because it might include medication or other evidence, and a person familiar with the situation said that a heart attack appeared to have caused the cardiac arrest that led to the pop icon's sudden death.
As grief for the King of Pop poured out from the icons of music to heartbroken fans, and the world came to grips with losing one of the most luminous celebrities of all time, an autopsy showed no sign of trauma or foul play to Jackson, who died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center after paramedics could not
revive him.
The AP source who said Jackson apparently suffered a heart attack was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity. Jackson's brother Jermaine had said the pop singer apparently went into cardiac arrest — which often, but not always, happens because of a heart attack.
Authorities said they spoke with the doctor briefly Thursday and Friday and expected to meet with him again soon. Police stressed that the doctor, identified by the Los Angeles Times as cardiologist Conrad Murray, was not a criminal suspect.
''We do not consider him to be uncooperative at this time,'' Beck said. ''We think that he will assist us in coming to the truth of the facts in this case.''
Craig Harvey, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroner, said there were no signs of foul play in the autopsy, and further tests would be needed to determine cause of death. He said Jackson was taking some unspecified prescription medication but gave few other details.
911 call released
Meanwhile, a 911 call released by fire officials shed light on the desperate effort at the mansion to save Jackson's life before paramedics arrived Thursday afternoon. Jackson died later at the UCLA Medical Center.
In the recording, an unidentified caller pleads with authorities to send help, offering no clues about why Jackson was stricken. He tells a dispatcher that Jackson's doctor is performing CPR.
''He's pumping his chest,'' the caller says, ''but he's not responding to anything.''
Asked by the dispatcher whether anyone saw what happened, the caller answers: ''No, just the doctor, sir. The doctor has been the only one there.''
The president of the company promoting Jackson's shows said Murray was Jackson's personal physician for three years. Jackson insisted Murray accompany him to London, said Randy Phillips, president of AEG Live.
Phillips quoted Jackson as saying: ''Look, this whole business revolves around me. I'm a machine, and we have to keep the machine well-oiled.''
Phillips said Jackson submitted to at least five hours of physicals that insurers had insisted on.
On Friday, the autopsy was completed in a matter of hours, but an official cause of death could take up to six weeks while medical examiners await toxicology tests. No funeral plans had been made public.
Bid for comeback
Jackson had remained out of the public spotlight during intense rehearsals for the London concerts, but those with access said he was upbeat and seemingly energized by his planned comeback. Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of the Grammys, said he watched Jackson dance energetically Wednesday.
''There was this one moment, he was moving across the stage and he was doing these trademark Michael moves, and I know I got this big grin on my face, and I started thinking to myself, 'You know, it's been years since I've seen that,' '' he said.
Lou Ferrigno, the star of The Incredible Hulk, said he had been working out with Jackson for the past several months.
The worldwide wave of mourning for Jackson continued unabated for the man who revolutionized pop music and moonwalked his way into entertainment legend.
''My heart, my mind are broken,'' said Elizabeth Taylor, who was one of Jackson's closest friends and married one of her husbands at a lavish wedding at the pop star's Neverland Ranch in 1991. She said she had heard the news as she was preparing to travel to London for Jackson's comeback show, and added, ''I can't imagine life without him.''
Hundreds made a pilgrimage to the Jackson family's compound in Los Angeles, leaving flowers and messages of love. They did the same at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and at the home in Los Angeles' Holmby Hills where Jackson was stricken.
LOS ANGELES: The final act of Michael Jackson's life came into clearer focus Friday, a picture of a fallen superstar working out with TV's Incredible Hulk and under the care of his own private cardiologist as he tried to get his 50-year-old body in shape for a grueling bid to reclaim his glory.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, Oh
Posted 07:46 AM, 06/27/2009
My guess is drugs, it seems to get the best of them. Anna Nicole, Elvis, and others.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:21 AM, 06/27/2009
Rest in Peace Michael. You're the greatest entertainer.
Posted 08:43 PM, 06/27/2009
He was great, but only in the 1980's. Downhill ever since. What a shame!
akron, oh
Posted 02:35 AM, 06/28/2009
@wsp do you have proof? well shut the f up then.For all we know your might be one.
Posted 05:48 AM, 06/28/2009
I would not let any of my children or grandchildren near him. He didnt pay $10 million to that kids family for nothing.
The world is a better place now.
