More Jackson doctors are sought
Los Angeles Police Department detectives are trying to identify and interview “multiple doctors” who treated or prescribed medication to Michael Jackson going back years, a law enforcement source told The Times.
Until now, much of the attention surrounding the pop icon’s death has focused on Dr. Conrad Murray, the cardiologist who was with Jackson on Thursday afternoon at the rented Holmby Hills estate where the entertainer went into cardiac arrest before being pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center.
Law enforcement sources also said that talking to the doctors is only one part of a multi-pronged investigation.
On Monday, authorities removed two bags of “additional medical evidence” from the mansion. They also confirmed that they had taken prescription medications from the estate last week and are widening their investigation to gather a full profile of the pop star’s medical history. Some of the prescriptions were not in Jackson’s name, a source said.
Detectives do not believe foul play is involved and said they are not pursuing a criminal case at this time. But they do want a full explanation of the circumstances leading to Jackson’s death, which has generated an outpouring of sorrow and obsessive interest from around the globe.
The law enforcement source, who asked not to be identified because of the ongoing investigation, stressed that detectives don’t know whether prescriptions played a role in the pop star’s death. Toxicology tests will provide a better understanding of that.
But the source also said that a key component of the investigation are interviews with various physicians because detectives want a better understanding of Jackson’s medical condition and history. They also want a fuller picture of all types of prescription and other drugs he may have been taking.
Detectives have interviewed Murray, speaking with him for three hours Saturday. LAPD officials have said that Murray was cooperative and helpful.
At least one of Jackson’s doctors, Arnold Klein, a Beverly Hills dermatologist, said police have not yet spoken to him, his attorney said. “No one from any governmental agency has made contact,” lawyer Richard Charnley said.
An autopsy was completed Friday, but a cause of death is not expected for several weeks. At a news conference, Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson, said funeral plans are being delayed because he wants to know how his son died.
“We are researching what happened to Michael,” said Joe Jackson, who ordered another autopsy after the L.A. County coroner’s office conducted its autopsy. “I want to see how this autopsy comes out.”
Jackson was accompanied by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who is helping the Jackson family arrange memorial services.
“I haven’t decided what is going to happen yet,” Jackson said. “It will be in a way that Michael Jackson can be proud.”
--
andrew.blankstein@latimes.com
Times staff writers Jessica Garrison, Harriet Ryan, Gerrick Kennedy and Nicole Santa Cruz contributed to this report.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
