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Warrant Reveals Jackson Likely Died After Dose of Propofol; Coroner Declares Death Homicide

August 24, 2009 4:26 PM ET

Though Michael Jackson's toxicology report remains sealed, an unsealed search warrant from the raid of Jackson's personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray's Houston offices reveals how investigators believe Jackson died on June 25th. According to the Los Angeles Times, a fatal dosage of the powerful sedative Propofol, along with two other sedatives, likely caused Jackson to suffer sudden cardiac arrest, ultimately causing the King of Pop's death at the age of 50. According to the AP, Jackson's death has officially been ruled a homicide.

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"The Jackson family has full confidence in the legal process, and commends the ongoing efforts of the L.A. County Coroner, the L.A. District Attorney and the L.A. Police Department," the family said in a statement released late Monday. "The family looks forward to the day that justice can be served."

According to the search warrant, Murray admitted to police under questioning that he had been administering 50 mg of Propofol to Jackson — who was suffering from insomnia — over the course of his six weeks in Jackson's employ. However, in the week before Jackson's death, Murray feared that Jackson was forming an addiction to the anesthetic, so he attempted to wean Jackson off the drug by lowering the dosage to 25 mg and replacing it with less-powerful sedatives, lorazepam and midazolam, the LA Times reports. On June 23rd, Murray only administered those two sedatives and not the Propofol to help Jackson sleep.

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However, after giving Jackson Valium, lorazepam and midazolam in the early morning hours of June 25th, Jackson complained that he couldn't sleep. Murray said he gave Jackson other various drugs, the L.A. Times writes, but Jackson demanded the Propofol, so Murray obliged by administering 25 mg of that drug intravenously at 10:40 a.m. PST. Then, as Rock Daily previously reported, Murray left Jackson alone and proceeded to make private calls to his family and workplace in Houston. When Murray returned to check up on Jackson, the singer had stopped breathing.

Murray has been at the center of the investigation of Jackson's death since the inquiry launched, as investigators have conducted raids on pharmacies and Murray's own medical offices to determine if the doctor acted improperly in treating Jackson — and whether a manslaughter charge should be filed in Jackson's death. The official toxicology report from Jackson's autopsy remains sealed as authorities continue their probe. Last week, Murray finally broke his silence in a video posted on YouTube, thanking his supporters.

Related Stories:
Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray Breaks His Silence in New Video
Report: Doctor Left Jackson Alone After Administering Propofol
Report: Michael Jackson's Cause of Death Likely to Be Ruled Homicide

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