Investigators Reportedly Treating Jackson Death As a Homicide

A pair of doctors remain at the center of the investigation into the death of Michael Jackson. Although an LAPD police chief previously said officials were awaiting the results of the toxicology report before determining how to proceed with their inquiry, TMZ reports that detectives are already treating the case like a homicide, with Jackson's personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray still the focus of the investigation.

Law enforcement officials say there is "plenty of powerful evidence" suggesting that Jackson's death came after Murray administered the sedative Propofol to the singer. Police reportedly found the drug itself, an intravenous stand and an oxygen tank at Jackson's home. Propofol — which the CDC and FDA just yesterday recalled after several lots were found to be contaminated — is a powerful anesthesia which is usually just for in-hospital use. An overdose of the drug could cause breathing to stop, leading to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the body that could result in cardiac arrest.

Murray's lawyers have thus far refused to confirm or deny whether Murray administered Propofol to Jackson, though after the doctor's initial two conversations with police they refuted rumors Murray administered a painkiller to the star shortly before his death: "There was no Demerol. No OxyContin," attorney Edward Chernoff said. Murray's attorneys also confirmed the doctor waited approximately a half-hour before calling 911 when he found Jackson with a faint pulse on June 25th. While the LAPD have had conversations with the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, the case was not formally presented to the DA, TMZ reports.

Another doctor associated with Jackson, dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein, has been served with a subpoena for medical records, an official from the LA coroner's office confirms for Us Weekly; a lawyer for the doctor says he is not under investigation, however. Klein, who has denied any wrongdoing, said, "There was nothing wrong with the manner I treated Michael, because what I had to do is restructure for an individual who had lupus, who had terrible acne scarring his face," during a July 8th appearance on Good Morning America, according to Us. Klein is rumored to be the actual father of Jackson's oldest two children.

Related Stories:
• Michael Jackson Investigation Focuses on Personal Doctor
• Michael Jackson "Desperately" Sought Sedative, Nutritionist Says
• Reports Question Paternity of Michael Jackson's Children

• 
  MUSIC The Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments
• 
  MOVIES & TV 'Game of Thrones': The Show Vs. the Books
• 
  POLITICS Matt Taibbi: Facebook IPO vs. Shareholders
• 
  VIDEOS Exclusive: Garbage Rip Through 'I Think I'm Paranoid'

Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter