Star-Studded Mausoleum Awaits Jackson

(CBS/AP)  One month after a lavish public memorial for Michael Jackson, the pop singer's family prepared to inter him privately Thursday in a mausoleum filled with legendary entertainers.

On Wednesday, a judge said Jackson's estate will bear the funeral costs, which were characterized by an attorney as "extraordinary." It was disclosed in court that 12 burial spaces were being purchased at Forest Lawn Glendale, about eight miles north of downtown Los Angeles, but no details were offered on how they would be used.

Jackson will be buried inside a gleaming gold and bronze custom-made casket costing $25,000, reports CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy.

Jackson will rest in the cemetery's Great Mausoleum with Hollywood stars including Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and W.C. Fields.



Jackson's funeral won't end the legal drama over his drug-induced death at age 50, which authorities have labeled a homicide. No criminal charges have been filed over his June 25 death, which came on the cusp of London concerts meant to restore Jackson to his once-incandescent stardom.

Last week, coroner's officials said they believed Jackson's death was homicide, and his death certificate has been amended to reflect that. It cites "injection by another" as the fatal injury.

Investigators have said a mix of the powerful anesthetic propofol and another sedative killed the pop singer. The new record lists "acute propofol intoxication" as the main cause of death and "benzodiazepine effect" as another significant contributor.

Crimesider breaks down the key players in the Jackson death investigation

The certificate does not mention Dr. Conrad Murray, who was Jackson's personal physician. He told detectives that he gave the singer a series of sedatives and propofol to try to help him sleep.

The coroner's determination of homicide makes it easier for prosecutors to seek criminal charges, but does not necessarily mean a crime was committed.

[Resin-Smoker]

Wish the media would get off of MJ's corpse already... Both are starting to smell. As for MJ good ridance to a bad junky !!!

Resin

[woody2676]

Why is it that an "entertainer" gets ALL the headlines and is treated as if he were a god when he dies, but when a soldier dies, no one notices? HUH? Where are the priorites in life? It's because of the actions of soldiers throughout history, that this "entertainer" has the freedom to make his millions of dollars and act like the world owes him something upon his death.

[pickaguitar1]

Because anyone can sign up and be a soldier...some shorter period of time than others. Not anyone can write hit songs that touch people's souls, dance like no one else and on top of it all donate over $500 million to charity.

[dowell100]

I wonder what that nose looks like now aafter all this time in a freezer.

[Oregon_State_OSU]

Should have put him at NeverLand Ranch and turned the place into a huge tourist attraction.

[picklepants7]

exactly! why not? mj would pack them in, and mj would generate more money dead, than 99% of us would alive. i realize that mj didn't want to return to neverland after being accused of taking liberties with a minor, but things change.

[beals1978]

I 100% agree.

[Questionews]

"Jackson will be buried inside a gleaming gold and bronze custom-made casket costing $25,000"



Well that will be quite a score for the meth-head metal thieves.

[momofdaisy]

Plant him, already!

[pickaguitar1]

RIP Michael

[ilonka1953]

RIP nothing, he's a damn child molester...he deserves nothing but pure hell....

[pickaguitar1]

Somebody doesn't understand what not guilty means!