Fans from around the globe remember Michael Jackson

Fans from around the world sent a deluge of flowers Monday to commemorate pop icon Michael Jackson on the third anniversary of his death.

Nearly 11,000 long-stem roses hugged the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale where Jackson is interred. Hundreds more bouquets, teddy bears, posters and flower stands – some sent from as far away as Japan, Italy and Russia – crowded the makeshift memorial that has become an annual event for devoted fans.

The crowd gathered outside the Great Mausoleum, which is closed to the general public, got a thrill at midday when Jackson’s brother, Randy, emerged to sign autographs and take pictures.

Among the throng of fans was Carlo Riley, a well-known MJ impersonator who said he plans to make the trip out from Denver, Colo. for many years to come.

“Even though he’s gone, this is still my passion,” Riley said.

Jackson, 50, died June 25, 2009, after suffering cardiac arrest at a mansion in Holmby Hills. His doctor, cardiologist Conrad Murray, was later found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for administering a fatal dose of the powerful surgical anesthetic, Propofol.

Los Angeles resident Robyn Starkand – who helped organize the massive rose delivery through her online, PayPal-fueled campaign “One Rose for Michael Jackson” – said the roses allowed many more fans who couldn’t make the trek feel like they were part of the memorial.

Asked why she chose roses, Starkland said it was an easy pick.

“It’s the crem de la crem of flowers, and that’s what he was.”

RELATED

L.A. Times Full Coverage / Michael Jackson’s death: The third anniversary

-- Jason Wells and Liana Aghajanian, Times Community News

Follow Jason Wells on Twitter and Google+