Focus Shifting To Drugs In Jackson's Death

(CBS)  Saturday, as moving vans and boxes added to the crush at Michael Jackson's rented Holmby Hills mansion, and as his family members gathered at their suburban L.A. compound, investigators increasingly are focusing on the role prescription drugs may have played in his death, reports CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker.

While the L.A. coroner says it'll take weeks to confirm the cause of death, tabloids and Jackson associates aren't waiting. Banner headlines on the front pages of the tabloid London Sun and the New York Post, citing unnamed sources, declare that Jackson took a daily cocktail of narcotics, including Demerol, Dilaudid, Vicodin, Xanax and Paxil.

A pharmacy in Beverly Hills sued Jackson two years ago, claiming the entertainer owed more than $100,000 for prescription drugs. His family and friends have long been concerned.

J. Randy Taraborelli, biographer and CBS News consultant said family and friends concerned for years.

"It's been a long, ongoing problem," Taraborelli said.

Police want to question Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson's live-in physician, about Jackson's drug use. Dr. Murry, whose car was impounded by L.A. police for investigation, was with Jackson when the singer collapsed - he's the doctor mentioned in the 911 call.

In the call, the caller said, "He's not breathing."

"Did anybody witness what happen?" the dispatcher asked.

"Just the doctor, sir, the doctor has been the only one here," the caller said. "Yes, he works here."

Murray, a cardiologist, has practices in several states, including a Houston clinic, and a trail of financial troubles, including tax liens and real estate lawsuits for more than $1 million.

Another unanswered question: the fate of Jackson's three young children, currently in the care of the singer's mother, Katherine. Jackson's business associate says the singer asked him to care for the youngest child.

"He asked me, if anything happened to him, if I would become the godfather and parent to Prince Michael," said Al Malnik.

Jackson's former wife, Debbie Rowe, the mother of the older two, recently had asked the courts to restore her parental rights.

"The children do not know who she is, not exactly, you could probably count on one hand the amount of times she was actually with the children and that they shared any time at all together," Taraborelli said.

Rev. Al Sharpton said the family is considering a number of celebrations around the world around to celebrate the life of Michael Jackson. And an indication of just how serious drug investigation has become - Dr. Murray has hired a high-powered law firm to represent him.

More Michael Jackson coverage:

Focus Shifting To Drugs In Jackson's Death
Jackson Family Issues Statement To Fans
Jackson Family Wants Second Autopsy
Drug Use Worried Spiritual Teacher Chopra
Jackson Story Shows Speed Of Digital Age
Lisa Marie: Jackson Foresaw His End
Jackson Doctor Under Increased Scrutiny
Filipino Inmates Perform Jackson Tribute
Jackson Family Questions Promoter's Role
A Collection Of CBS Videos Of Michael Jackson
The Death Of Michael Jackson: Full Coverage

[mcintoshlou]

IT WAS JUST a week ago that Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) was in the spotlight for his admission of marital infidelity. Now comes fellow Republican and would-be presidential hopeful Mark Sanford's clumsy admission of adultery, and Mr. Ensign is, so political pundits judge, yesterday's news. That's too bad, because there is still a lot about Mr. Ensign's affair that the public has a right to know.

Interest in Mr. Ensign -- and we make no secret that ours is influenced in part by his despicable role in undermining D.C. voting rights -- is by no means absolution of Mr. Sanford. The latter abrogated his responsibilities as South Carolina governor and misled his staff and the public. Mr. Sanford's infidelity should be a private matter between him and his wife, but his embarrassing confessional raised inevitable calls for his resignation. His announcement yesterday that he would reimburse the state for portions of a 2008 trade mission that included meeting with his Argentine mistress raises more questions about his conduct.

[mutnauq4842]

by mcintoshlou June 28, 2009 9:48 AM PDT
______________________________________________________________

Dang it "Mac" you're off topic again.

[BeckieBest]

That's enough Michael Jackson already. There are much bigger things going on in the world now.

NEXT!

[hungry1968-15]

SIX STORIES on the CBS News homepage about this child molesting scummbag?!?!?!

[hungry1968-15]

Who cares?

Another "toucher" bits the dust.

Too bad it didn't happen 40 years ago. Many young children wouldn't have been sexually abused.

[formrusmcsgt]

I thought Jackson was entertaining as a black man. Not so after he turned himself into a white woman....

[AttentionDeficit]

I wonder what was so painful to him that he needed prescription drugs, or was he just using them for recreation?

[brianbwb-2009]

You try dancing and singing at his level, night after night, through the small strains, sprains, hyper extensions, and other minor injuries that never get time to heal, then top it off with multiple cosmetic surgeries, then add to that the stress produced by a media constantly demonizing you for money, and the leeches and sharks of this business all taking bites out of you, people accusing you of criminal behavior without proof, and a small segment of the population who automatically hate you because you are perhaps the world's most famous entertainer, but not of their ethnic stripe, and it adds up over the years.

I doubt seriously if you could take it, Elvis, the Beatles, and even tough-guy Mike Tyson couldn't.

[tmittelstaed]

And, so once Jackson made his first 10 million he was obligated to keep doing this?

He spent more money in a trip to a gift shop than you will ever make in your lifetime.

He had WAY MORE money than he needed to spend the rest of his life sitting on the beach drinking Coronas. So if his life was so hard, why didn't he just stop and take the beach?

Other singers just as famous as him have done it. Look at Eminem. Do you see him in the tabloids now? No, he tossed his skank wife out of his life and is living with his friends and concentrating on raising his daughters, with his millions. He's not wasting money or getting stoned out of his mind. Nothing was preventing Jackson from doing the same thing.

[FrankDenise]

In a way I feel bad for this guy..He never had a real life or a good childhood..Drugs were probably the only way out of the insane life he lead..Anyone who knows anything about addiction will understand how hard it is to kick it...And he is Michael Jackson...What is he gonna do??Check into rehab so the entire world will know and have a story for that as well....And smear his name some more..He was in such a bad spot and he was SO Addicted to opiates he needed them to function....Beleive me I know first hand...It is such a shame that another addict died from this disease..That is what people MUST understand..this is a real disease and it needs to be treated like life and death....Rest His Soul..

[JackGarvey]

Yes, I am sad about Michael Jackson's death while I am 46 years old. However, I was also sad learning of my dad's death when I was 14.
As people, we must accept sad moments and act to improve the lives of those who remain. My thoughts tell me that the spirits of those who have passed would be more pleased with less questions about their deaths, and more answers about improving the lives of those of us who are living rewarding lives.

[JZZZZY]

How is it that Jessie Jackson is now the family spokesperson?????? I just cannot stand this guy. If you're black, he's there. What happened to the spokesperson Oxman? I think Jessie just insinuates himself into every black celebrities' event. Oh, I get it, he's like a trump card. He makes such a damn big stink that the Jacksons' can say, "Give us what we want or we'll get 'Jessie' Okay, I've answered my own question. Nuff said.

[brianbwb-2009]

Ever consider that the family may have asked him to be?

And as far as Oxman, he left the job years ago.

Also if "getting Jesse" helps to sort out the inevitable insurance matters, and other maters of probate, then all the better for them, you are no one to judge, as you yourself insinuate your own negative drivel into this topic thread, you are even worse than you presume Rev. Jackson to be.

The Reverend is taking the opportunity to give condolence, comfort, and whatever assistance he can to those who accept it, you are only taking this opportunity to spew hate, so whose motive is worse?

[mutnauq4842]

by brianbwb-2009 June 27, 2009 9:39 PM PDT
The Reverend is taking the opportunity to give condolence, comfort, and whatever assistance he can to those who accept it, you are only taking this opportunity to spew hate, so whose motive is worse?
____________________________________________________________________

The "Reverend"? you're just as pretentious and phony as he is.

[kbbpll]

Washed-up has-been drug-addict freak show gets multiple headlines multiple days; Farrah Fawcett's courageous battle with cancer disappears immediately from news. Timing is everything.

[brianbwb-2009]

There is only so much news coverage to go around, and far more people world-wide knew of Jackson than Fawcett. Her struggle was indeed brave, but her impact on people was limited to those who watched American TV. Ms. Fawcett is national news, Mr. Jackson is international.

Jackson, on the other hand, was a positive influence on the lives of people around the world, as evidenced by even Filipino prisoners, dancing in tribute.

Do you see such tributes for Ms. Fawcett coming from around the world, and if not, then why not? Because not as many people were touched by her talent.

America is not the only country in the world, you know, and it is also not the only culture that makes positive contributions to life.

So your real beef is...?