Jesse Jackson: Family wants 2nd autopsy

LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson's family wants an independent autopsy to determine the cause of the King of Pop's death, The Rev. Jesse Jackson said Saturday.

The family told Jesse Jackson about its wishes while he spent time with them during the past two days, the reverend said in an interview with The Associated Press.

He said there were unanswered questions surrounding the death, including the role of the personal cardiologist who was with Michael Jackson when he died.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office performed an autopsy on the singer's body on Friday but deferred a finding on the cause of death pending further tests that could take more than a month.

Coroner's officials said they released Michael Jackson's body to his family late Friday night. Jesse Jackson did not say if an independent autopsy had been arranged.

Spiritual teacher and medical doctor Deepak Chopra said earlier Saturday he had been concerned since 2005 that Michael Jackson was abusing prescription painkillers and most recently spoke to the pop star about suspected drug use six months ago.

Chopra said Jackson, a longtime friend, asked him for painkillers in 2005 when the pop star was staying with him following his trial on sex abuse allegations.

Chopra said he refused but added the nanny of Jackson's children repeatedly contacted him with concerns about Jackson's drug use over the next four years.

Janet Jackson arrived at her brother's Holmby Hills estate Saturday, where moving vans pulled up earlier in the day and about eight movers took dollies and packing equipment through the gates.

The vans left after being inside the estate for almost an hour, and it wasn't immediately known what had been taken out.

Most of Jackson's family members were at the Encino compound, where they were contemplating funeral arrangements and caring for his three children.

They are feeling confused, upset and angry by the lack of information about those who were around the pop superstar in his final days, a person close to the family said.

Jackson's family also wants to know more specifics about what role AEG, the concert promoter that was staging his 50-date concert series at London's 02 Arena, was playing in his life, said the person, who requested anonymity because of the delicate nature of the situation.

They also want to know more about the role of his advisers and representatives, who they believe were put in place by the promoter.

AEG spokeswoman Natalie Whorms in London had no comment.