Cops Deny Dubbing Jackson Death a Homicide

TMZ.com Says Their Probe Is Homicide Investigation and Superstar's Cardiologist Is at Center of It

(CBS)  Los Angeles police are denying a Web site's report that they're treating Michael Jackson's death as a homicide.

Celebrity Web site TMZ.com, which cited "multiple law enforcement sources" in saying the investigation is indeed now is a homicide probe, also says the pop icon's cardiologist is the focus of that probe.

But Police Officer Sara Faden, speaking on behalf of the Los Angeles Police Department, tells CBS News the investigation hasn’t turned into a homicide probe at this point. She adds she doesn’t know where TMZ is getting that information.

The official autopsy results aren't due out until at least next week, "Early Show" national correspondent Hattie Kauffman pointed out Wednesday, but TMZ says, "The evidence points to the anesthesia Propofol as the primary cause of Jackson's death. As we first reported, vials of Propofol were found in Jackson's home after he died. Jackson's home after he died."

"Law enforcement sources say there is already 'plenty of powerful evidence' linking Dr. Murray as the person who administered the drug to Jackson," TMZ continued, including "various items found in Jackson's house, including the Propofol, an IV stand and oxygen tank."

TMZ adds that "police have already talked to the L.A. district attorney's office about possible homicide charges."

Neither the LAPD nor Dr. Murray has commented on the TMZ report.

Both Latoya Jackson, Michael's sister, and his father, Joe Jackson, have said they suspect Jackson was a victim of foul play.

Murray isn't the only doctor under scrutiny, Kauffman notes. A coroner's official served a subpoena on the office of Dr. Arnold Klein, a Beverly Hills dermatologist who treated Jackson for years and was a close friend.

Complete coverage of Jackson's life and death

"I mean," TMZ's Harvey Levin told CBS News, he's cooperating now. ... The coroner was frustrated, because he had asked Arnie Klein to ante up Michael Jackson's medical records, and then said, 'Where are they'? And never got a return call, and that's why the assistant coroner went out (to Klein's office)."

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration the manufacturer of Propofol for a specific batch of the medication, as part of the DEA's probe, Kauffman notes.

Another Jackson sibling, Tito Jackson, has told a British newspaper the family tried to stage an intervention on Michael's drug use, but was turned away by Jackson's handlers.

Also, in the possible custody battle over Jackson's three kids, lawyers for Debbie Rowe, who gave brith to two of them, are demanding the New York Post retract its report that she's agreed to give up parental rights in exchange for $4 million. But, Kauffman says, attorneys for Rowe and Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, are still talking privately, in advance of Monday's scheduled custody hearing.

[marcalif]

Where were all the "loving" Jackson's concern for his 3 children while Michael was all doped up &/or hooked up on to an iv for up to 72 hours?
What kind of a father could Michael have been drugged out?
An addicts first priority is to get their drugs.
Emotional abuse is one of the most damaging forms of child abuse.

[EyeCeeUs]

Sue his Doctor for Mal-practice

[gwinginit]

If he did do it, He deserve a medal for making the world a safer place for young boys.

[mzbailey1]

*******

[mdwinell]

you guys are all naive. This MD was extremely greedy. It was all about $$$!!! MJ had an addiction and the MD took advantage of it. What ever happened to the medical OATH?? It sounds like he should go in hiding. Debbie Rowe is also extremely greedy. I wish someone would hook her up to an IV unattended with an Propaphol

[carlyt1]

Medications much too easy to get by celebs and others. There is a related post at http://iamsoannoyed.com/?page_id=588

[kimasabe90035]

Question: just wondering.... who is proofreading copy @ CBS, before its posted on this site?

One of the errors in this report ^^^^^ birth is misspelled:

"Also, in the possible custody battle over Jackson's three kids, lawyers for Debbie Rowe, who gave brith to two of them, are demanding the New York Post retract its report that she's agreed to give up parental rights in exchange for $4 million. But, Kauffman says, attorneys for Rowe and Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, are still talking privately, in advance of Monday's scheduled custody hearing."

[dragyn30]

MJ basically killed himself and the family knows it, now they are all crawling out of the woodwork to get their fair share of either the money or the limelight! I doubt they ever tried an intervention! I said this before if Britney Spears family could step in, so could have the Jacksons! That is complete BS that they tried *once* and were turned away by the handlers! Handlers?? I realize he lived like a circus act, but this wasn't a trained elephant it was a human being, they should have kept trying the drug addition problem has been going on for years!

This is what MJ wasted his money on, he paid for the drugs and he paid for the Doctors who gave them to him. MJ got what he paid for and it finally killed him.

Now the parasites are out in force to suck what they can from the bones!

[waismann-2009]

When we hire a doctor, we assume he is taking care of our health , safety and well being regardless of our personal wants or ability to pay..We work with patients that are drug dependent due to physical or mental pain. We use Propofol for a very short time in an ICU unit monitored by Board Certified Anesthesiologists in a safe and well monitored facility. I don't understand how and the purpose of home use of this drug, specially with a patient that combines other narcotics....I don't understand CPR done in a bed....I don't understand the lack of knowledge of the well know drug dependency of MJ...It is all very disturbing.....I hope all this suffering does not go in vain. I hope other doctors will be more responsible with their prescription pads, pharmacies will be more aware of whom they are delivering and how much and patients will educate themselves more about the drugs they take and their consequences. It is a joint responsibility.

Clare W. Kavin

[mainermike]

This is AS I SEE IT, by Mainer Mike Brown.

I never knew a child molester can be so wildly popular.

That's AS I SEE IT. I'm Mainer Mike Brown.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money]

Don't inflate your popularity, Mike.

[dewmww]

NOT VERY CLEVER. IN FACT VERY STUPID!

[falcone300]

How much has the media made on MJ,and still are.Keep it rolling folks,MJ"s kids have to eat