Jackson apparently suffered heart attack

Published: Friday, June 26, 2009 9:29 p.m. MDT
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LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson apparently suffered a heart attack, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Friday. Police planned to interview the doctor who was with the pop icon during his last minutes and pumped his chest in a vain attempt to save his life.

As grief for the King of Pop poured out around the world, from the icons of music to heartbroken fans, an autopsy showed no sign of trauma to Jackson, whose death came just weeks before he was to launch an epic comeback bid in a series of 50 concerts in London.

The person, who was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity, said Jackson had suffered a heart attack. Jackson's brother Jermaine had said the pop singer apparently went into cardiac arrest — which often but not always happens because of a heart attack.

Authorities said they would speak with the doctor, identified by the Los Angeles Times as cardiologist Conrad Murray, and said they had towed his car from Jackson's rented mansion because it could contain medication or other evidence. Police stressed that the doctor was not a criminal suspect.

Deputy Police Chief Charlie Beck said he hoped the doctor would shed light on the coroner's findings and "lead us to some conclusions."

Craig Harvey, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroner, said there were no signs of foul play. He said Jackson was taking some unspecified prescription medication but gave few details.

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A 911 call released by fire officials shed light on the desperate effort at the mansion to save Jackson's life before paramedics arrived Thursday afternoon. Jackson died later at UCLA Medical Center.

In the recording, an unidentified caller pleads with authorities to send help, offering no clues about why Jackson was stricken. He tells a dispatcher that Jackson's doctor is performing CPR.

"He's pumping his chest," the caller says, "but he's not responding to anything."

Asked by the dispatcher whether anyone saw what happened, the caller answers: "No, just the doctor, sir. The doctor has been the only one there."

The autopsy was completed in a matter of hours, but an official cause of death could take up to six weeks while medical examiners await toxicology tests. No funeral plans have been made public.

Jackson had remained out of the public spotlight during intense rehearsals for the London concerts. Lou Ferrigno, the star of "The Incredible Hulk," said he had been working out with Jackson for the past several months.

Still, Jackson's health had been known to be precarious in recent years, and one family friend said Friday that he had warned the entertainer's family about his use of painkillers.

Recent comments

If this cause of death is from the medicines i think the doctor...

Anonymous | June 28, 2009 at 4:37 p.m.

"Heart attack" is not correct. I believe that implys blockage of...

Anonymous | June 27, 2009 at 8:56 p.m.

Anyone who has ever taken a CPR or first aide course knows that you...

Connie | June 27, 2009 at 1:03 p.m.

Image
Reed Saxon, Associated Press

A man adds an object to a shrine of mementos adorning the star of Michael Jackson on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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