The Los Angeles County Coroner/Medical Examiner is expected to disclose preliminary autopsy findings this afternoon (Friday) concerning the cause of death Thursday of Michael Jackson. The singer’s passing -- which made headlines throughout the world -- came as he was preparing a series of comeback concerts in the U.K. under the banner “This Is It!” Word that paramedics had been called to Jackson’s home in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles where he was reportedly in full cardiac arrest was first flashed to the world via the Los Angeles Times website. By the end of the day, virtually every major Internet news outlet throughout the world was being swamped by people wanting to learn about the circumstances surrounding his death. They found little. The TMZ website posted video apparently taken by someone aboard a tour bus of a Los Angeles Fire Department emergency vehicle parked in front of Jackson’s home. Entertainment Tonight had a photo of Jackson as he arrived unconscious at UCLA Medical Center.
Brian Oxman, a spokesman for the Jackson family, disclosed on CNN that the singer had been having difficulty rehearsing for his London performances at L.A.’s Staples Center because of pain from previous injuries. “His use of medications had gotten in the way,” Oxman said. The London Sun reported that it had learned from paramedics that Jackson had collapsed after being given an injection of the painkiller Demerol by his personal physician, who was administering CPR to him when they arrived. Results of toxicological tests conducted during today’s autopsy are not expected to be made known for several days or perhaps even weeks. However, AEG Live, the Philip Anschutz-owned concert company that was producing Jackson’s sold-out London shows, said early today that he had passed an insurance examination by independent doctors only recently. Nevertheless, the Los Angeles Times recently reported that although AEG Live had been able to obtain insurance from Lloyd’s of London for his London shows, the rest of his tour dates -- which were expected to gross as much as $500 million -- were not covered.
All four major TV networks aired news specials about Jackson Thursday. In addition, NBC reran its recent documentary about Farrah Fawcett, who also died Thursday. »