Coroner Rules Michael Jackson's Death as Homicide

Mon, 24 August 2009 22:03:14 ET

Coroner Rules Michael Jackson's Death as Homicide
© BARM/Fame Pictures

Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson's death a homicide. A law enforcement official has told The Associated Press that the cause of the superstar's death was a combination of drugs. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because forensic results have not been released, informed the tests found the powerful anesthetic propofol acted together with at least two sedatives that caused Michael's death.

This finding will likely make criminal charges be brought against Michael's personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray. According to a search warrant affidavit unsealed Monday, August 24 in a Houston court, the doctor told investigators that he had treated the singer for insomnia for about six weeks by giving him 50 milligrams of propofol every night.

The document also revealed on June 24 night, the day before Michael was found dead, the King of Pop had trouble sleeping. Trying to wean his patient, Dr. Conrad cut off the propofol, which is normally only used in hospitals and is referred by Michael as "milk". This strategy was succeed in the previous two nights.

So, on June 25 at around 1:30 A.M., Dr. Conrad tried a series of drugs instead of propofol to make Michael sleep. Started with a 10-milligram tab of Valium, the doctor added a shot of lorazepam at 2 A.M. followed by midazolam and repeats of each at 5 A.M. and 7:30 A.M. respectively when he still awoke.

When those still failed, the cardiologist decided to give Michael 25 milligrams of propofol and finally he fell asleep. Ten minutes later, Dr. Conrad left him alone to use the restroom for two minutes, but when he returned he found Michael had stopped breathing.

Meanwhile, Michael Jackson's family is still seeking for justice to his case. "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," stated the family's representative, Ken Sunshine, on Monday.