What Might MJ Toxicology Report Show?

L.A. Coroner's Look at Drugs that Were in Jackson's Body When He Died Expected Anytime Now

(CBS)  The Los Angeles coroner is expected to release the results of the toxicology studies that were part of Michael Jackson's autopsy sometime this week.

What might the findings be?

It's believed the pop icon may have been taking more than a dozen drugs at the time of his death, CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton said on "The Early Show" Monday.

Ashton says the release of the toxicology report should finally make clear whether a combination of those drugs killed Jackson.

The report should pinpoint which drugs were found in his body, how much, and if they caused his death.

Dr. Lawrence Kobilinsky, of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said, "My guess is we'll find multiple drugs -- it's the synergistic effect of all these drugs together -- that caused this respiratory problem."

Ashton said Jackson is said to have been taking painkillers Demerol and Vicodin, as well as antidepressants Zoloft, Paxil, Xanax, and the muscle relaxant Soma.

However, the prime suspect among the drugs that may have contributed to Jackson's death, Ashton said, is Diprivan, a powerful sedative used in hospitals to put patients under. Several bottles of the drug reportedly were found in Jackson's rented mansion.

Complete coverage of Jackson's life and death
Paul Wischmeyer, a professor of anesthesiology, said, "It's complete madness that anyone would use this drug outside of a very controlled operating room or hospital setting. If you make a small error on how much you give yourself ... you might go from being high to being dead."

Diprivan's potency can be affected by other drugs, according to Ashton. So, if Jackson was also on painkillers and sedatives, she said, the combination could have been fatal.

Cherilyn Lee, Jackson's former nurse told CBS News all Jackson wanted to do was sleep. "But he was in trouble," she said, adding Jackson wanted to use Diprivan to treat his insomnia.

But according to Wischmeyer, the possibility Diprivan was being used for sleep is "madness. It's like using a cannon to shoot a mouse."

The toxicology report, Ashton said, may determine if charges will be brought against Jackson's personal physician when he died, Dr. Conrad Murray, or any of his other doctors. Murray was there when Jackson passed away.

Kobilinsky says Diprivan may be a "smoking gun" and what happened "very well may border on criminal activity."

[cannothearyou]

"What might the findings be?

It's believed the pop icon may have been taking more than a dozen drugs at the time of his death, CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton said on "The Early Show" Monday. "
WHY ARE YOU SPECULATING? WHY NOT WAIT UNTIL THE REPORT COMES IN? THERE IS ENOUGH REAL NEWS TO REPORT SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO KEEP BAITING THE PUBLIC WITH WHAT IF AND MAYBE. THE NEWS IS FILLED WITH SO MUCH REPETITIVE GARBAGE. THE SAME SHOT OF A HOT PURSUIT, THE SAME CRIME SCENE PIX. AND MORE SPECULATION ON THE SAME TARGET. PLEASE GIVE US THE NEWS, NOT SPECULATION. I WORRY THAT WHEN CRIMES ARE COMMITTED THAT THE NEWS TRIES TO SOLVE THE CRIME AND TRY THE SUSPECT BEFORE THE LAW EVEN ARRIVES. I WANT TO SEE THEM DO THEIR JOB AND THE CRIMINAL SERVE TIME. NOT WALK BECAUSE OF MEDIA PREJUDICE OR A HUNG JURY. PLEASE REPORT THE NEWS AS IT APPEARS. AND JUST THE FACTS. NOT SPECULATION OR BACK SEAT CRIMINOLOGY.

[TheMasses2009]

I think they'll be traces of MAD DOG 20/20 and Ripple.

[proud_churchgoer]

I doubt any traces of Thunderbird malt liquor are found.

[aChangeOfIdeas]

HERE WE GO AGAIN... What "might" the tox report show? How about wait until it gets back and then print the article, as if it's important anyway.

[credibility2]

No one forced him to continue his love affair with addictive drugs and pain killers. He could have sought help and exercised being responsible. Kicking any addiction is painful and hard work. Jackson didn't want to inconvenience himself on either front. I don't feel sorry for anyone with an addiction who refuses to get help and kick it or who keeps relying on others to pander to their addiction. If you die as a result of your own actions, ultimately it's the addicts own fault.

[knowdalaw]

Has anyone verified nurse, Cherilyn Lee?s story on that Sunday which was four days before Michael died? Has anyone really verified her phone records and Michael Jackson?s to confirm Michael or someone from his house called her?

My theory is if he called her saying, he was cold and hot and he cannot sleep and that he needed these drugs, why would he not have asked his doctor Murray. Dr. Murray lived right there in the house, so why did he call her?

I enjoyed Michael?s performances and records, but I have a problem defending him. If he was wrong or was addicted to drugs, I will not love him less, but I think Michael would want the truth to come out. It will help others to realize that you cannot explain away drug addiction.