Dr. Conrad Murray, a Houston-based cardiologist, who became one of Jackson's personal physicians, has been at the center of the investigation into Jackson's death. Murray told police he was with Jackson the night before he died and frequently administered a powerful anesthetic, propofol, to help the singer sleep. In recent days, police have raided Murray's offices and homes for evidence of manslaughter.
Ed Winter
Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter, of the Los Angeles Coroner's office, speaks to the media after visiting the rented home of Michael Jackson, June 29, 2009, in Los Angeles. The coroner's office report, when released, will hopefully shed light on exactly how and why the pop singer died. Winter has taken part in raids of the home and offices of Jackson's physician Dr. Conrad Murray.
LaToya Jackson
Michael Jackson's sister, LaToya Jackson, reportedly told a British tabloid that she believed her brother was murdered by a cabal hoping to get access to his fortune. "I know who did it and I won't rest until I nail them," the News of the World has reported she said. She did not elaborate on whom she thought was to blame.
Lt. Greg Strenk
LAPD Lt. Greg Strenk talks with members of the media outside the offices of Michael Jackson's personal doctor, Conrad Murray, July 28, 2009 in Las Vegas. Murray has been the main focus of an investigation to determine exactly how Jackson died and whether or not charges, potentially manslaughter, should be filed.
Propofol
One of the central characters in the Michael Jackson drama is not a person, but the drug propofol. Yet-to-be-released toxicology reports could help determine if the powerful anesthetic had a role in the singer's death. Propofol, which is marketed as Diprovan, is typically administered in a hospital during surgery, but Dr. Conrad Murray told police he often gave the drug to Jackson to help him sleep.
Edward Chernoff
Edward Chernoff, the attorney for Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, has been a constant media mouthpiece in defense of Murray. Chernoff has said that Murray "didn't prescribe or administer anything that should have killed Michael Jackson."
Kai Chase
Kai Chase, Michael Jackson's personal chef, said she often saw oxygen tanks being removed from the area of the house where Jackson slept and that Dr. Conrad Murray frequently stayed the night. She recalls panic in the house and Murray emerging from the area where Jackson slept the day the singer died.
Cherilyn Lee
Nutritionist Cherilyn Lee, who worked for Michael Jackson, has said Jackson asked her for a powerful anesthetic to alleviate his insomnia. She said she refused to help him get access to the drug, which was later found in his home.
Debbie Rowe
Debbie Rowe, Michael Jackson's ex-wife, arrives at the Santa Barbara County courthouse in Santa Maria, Calif. Rowe is the surrogate mother of two of Jackson's three children, Michael Joseph and Paris-Michael Katherine. It is not clear whose egg and whose sperm were used to create the children. As of July 30, 2009, Rowe has said she will not seek custody.
Katherine Jackson
Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, has emerged as the central figure in the fight for Michael Jackson's estate and the future of his three children. On Aug. 3, 2009, she was named the sole guardian of Jackson's children, but the outcome of her battle to control her son's estate is not yet clear.
Police Chief William J. Bratton
As the top cop in Los Angeles, the investigation into Michael Jackson's death ultimately stops with Police Chief William J. Bratton. His office has been tight lipped, but Bratton said the cause of the pop singer's death was still wide open. "Are we dealing with homicide? Are we dealing with an accidental overdose? What are we dealing with?" he asked in the beginning of July. As of the end of month, we still don't know.