The coroner says the death of Michael Jackson was a homicide, but La Toya Jackson is still calling it murder.
La Toya was on "20/20" last night with Barbara Walters, where she once again asserted that Michael was murdered by people who would benefit financially from his death, but she doesn't know exactly who.
Dr. Conrad Murray, who administered the drug that resulted in Jackson's death, is the only person the LAPD is focusing on in their investigation.
Our apologies to the two of you who actually fell for it, but this video allegedly showing Michael Jackson jumping out of the back of his own coroner's van last week was all a hoax.
German broadcaster RTL says they created the video and posted it with the purpose of showing "how easily users can be manipulated on the internet with hoax videos."
The video wasn't even shot in L.A. -- but Cologne, Germany.
The L.A. County Coroner has just officially announced the cause of Michael Jackson's death -- Acute Propofol intoxication.
The report says "other conditions contributing to death: Benzodiazepine effect." Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs (see below) used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
The manner of death is ruled: "HOMICIDE."
The Coroner did not release the full autopsy report -- just a press notice. It goes on:
The drugs PROPOFOL and LORAZEPAM (Ativan) were found to be the primary drugs responsible for Mr. Jackson's death.
Other drugs detected were: Midazolam (Versed), Diazepam (Valium), Lidocaine (topical anesthetic) and Ephedrine (used to treat hypotension associated with anesthesia).
The final Coroner's report, including the toxicology report, will remain on security hold, per the LAPD.
The Jackson family just released a statement:
"The Jackson family again wishes to commend the actions of the Coroner, the LAPD and other law enforcement agencies, and looks forward to the day that justice can be served."
An official from the L.A. County Coroner's office has just returned to Dr. Arnold Klein's office in Beverly Hills to retrieve more files in the Michael Jackson case.
Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter just told our photog he was there for more MJ medical files. UPDATE: Winter has left, but wouldn't comment on whether or not anything was taken from Klein's office.
Dr. Klein's lawyer briefly addressed the press after Winter left, saying a subpoena was served but Winter wasn't looking for documents -- instead he wanted more information about docs the coroner's office had already seized. Dr. Klein's lawyer said they cooperated fully with Winter's requests.
Multiple law enforcement sources tell us the toxicology report in the Michael Jackson case shows Jackson had a lethal amount of the anesthetic Propofol in his system -- but that wasn't the only drug.
We're told the toxicology findings show there was also alprazolam -- also known as Xanax -- in Jackson's system. Xanax is used to treat anxiety.
But our sources say Propofol was -- as one source put it -- "front and center in terms of why [Jackson] died."
We've learned L.A. County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter just arrived at the Beverly Hills medical office of Dr. Lawrence Koplin, subpoena in hand. We've learned Winter is on the hunt for Michael Jackson medical files.
We're told Winter is interested in the records of the nurse anesthetist in the office -- David Fournier. We're told Dr. Arnold Klein performed procedures on Jackson in Dr. Koplin's office and Fournier administered anesthesia.
UPDATE: Winter has just left and he confirmed he is "still looking for medical records involving Michael Jackson."
An official from the L.A. County Coroner's office is in the offices of Michael Jackson's former nurse -- the nurse who claims Jackson badgered her for a powerful anesthesia.
Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter just left nurse Cherilyn Lee'soffice ... he walked out with Jackson's medical records.
We asked Lee about Jackson's use of the drug Propofol -- she says he asked her for it but she never gave it to him.
Winter retrieved files from Dr. Arnold Klein last week.
UPDATE: Winter has left the building with medical records. He said Lee was cooperative and is not under investigation.
UPDATE: We spoke with Lee after Winter left -- she says she thought she'd convinced Jackson not to take Diprivan, he was feeling good and a great father figure.
We've learned Dr. Conrad Murray canceled an interview with the LAPD.
As we have already reported, the LAPD is treating Michael Jackson's death as a homicide. Detectives have their sights set on Murray, as the person who may have administered the drug Propofol, which we're told is the primary cause of Jackson's death.
We're told the LAPD planned a third interview with Dr. Murray earlier in the week -- the doctor was interviewed the day Jackson died and again two days later.
Reps from the L.A. County Coroner's office planned to attend the third interview, but we're told Dr. Murray's lawyer called and said the doctor would not be speaking to the cops at this time.
And here's the best part. Our sources say the cops called the lawyer back and they were referred to the lawyer's lawyer who said Dr. Murray's lawyer would not be speaking to them!
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the centraltarget in both the coroner and LAPD investigations into MichaelJackson's death is Dr. Conrad Murray, who was at Jackson's house when the singer went into full cardiac arrest.
Sources say the doctor is not cooperating with authorities, but they have still found evidence linking him to the drug that may have killed Jackson. As we first reported, as a result of Dr. Murray's second interview with police two weeks ago today, the LAPD obtained a warrant to conduct a second search of Jackson's home -- and that's when they found Propofol, a powerful anesthesia that should never be used outside a hospital. There is evidence Propofol was administered to Jackson shortly before his heart stopped beating.
And we're told there is evidence Dr. Murray may have administered the drug. Dr. Murray's lawyer, Ed Chernoff, told TMZ he would neither confirm nor deny if Dr. Murray administered Propofol to Jackson. Law enforcement sources tell us if they conclude the doctor administered the drug it may well lead to manslaughter charges.
Investigators are also suspicious of the delay in calling 911 -- the Dr. says he waited 20 - 30 minutes because he didn't know Jackson's address that would lead paramedics to the house. Jackson lived on one of the most famous streets in the world -- one house above Sunset Blvd.
As the investigation into Jackson's death heats up, there's also an investigation into his life with drugs and the doctor's who fueled it. Sources tell us law enforcement is seriously investigating the prescription practices of several doctors who gave Jackson access to medications. Investigators are particularly interested in doctors who used aliases to write scripts for Jackson. One of the central figures in the investigation -- Dr. Arnold Klein.
We broke the story yesterday how members of Jackson's staff complained that Klein was using the names of employees and others to help Jackson score drugs. One of the names allegedly used -- Frank Tyson, a former Jackson employee. Several powerful meds in Tyson's name were prescribed by Dr. Klein and found at the Neverland Ranch during the 2003 search.
The L.A. County Coroner just announced Michael Jackson's autopsy has been completed -- but more testing is needed before the official cause of death can be determined.
The coroner said the cause of death was deferred because additional testing -- including toxicology and other tests -- is needed. It will take 4-6 weeks to complete.
There was no trauma to Michael's body and "no indication of foul play" -- but he said Michael had been taking "some prescription medications."
He said Michael was pronounced dead in the emergency room of UCLA. Jackson's body will be released after 6 PM.
The L.A. County Coroner has just officially announced the cause of Michael Jackson's death -- Acute Propofol intoxication.
An official from the L.A. County Coroner's office has just returned to Dr. Arnold Klein's office in Beverly Hills to retrieve more files in the Michael Jackson case.
Multiple law enforcement sources tell us the toxicology report in the Michael Jackson case shows Jackson had a lethal amount of the anesthetic Propofol in his system -- but that wasn't the only drug.
We've learned Dr. Conrad Murray canceled an interview with the LAPD.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the central target in both the coroner and LAPD investigations into Michael Jackson's death is Dr. Conrad Murray, who was at Jackson's house when the singer went into full cardiac arrest.
UPDATE: We're told the LAPD retrieved several prescription bottles from Jackson's house ... but the plastic bags by no means were filled with pills.
Michael Jackson's body was taken to an undisclosed mortuary late Friday night.
The L.A. County Coroner just announced Michael Jackson's autopsy has been completed -- but more testing is needed before the official cause of death can be determined.
