JOIN USThe 50-year-old pop legend had died of a suspected cardiac arrest on Thursday and soon after, reports started emerging about the role of prescribed drugs and “enablers” in his entourage, who encouraged his dependency on painkillers.
The ‘Thriller’ hitmaker’s family got a second independent examination by a private pathologist on Sunday, dissatisfied with the inconclusive result of the first autopsy, which had ruled out foul play.
“We don’t like what’s going on,” family patriarch Joe Jackson told People magazine.
The coroner’s office had earlier said that the cause of Jackson’s death will only be determined after toxicology reports which will take upto six weeks.
Jackson’s family is concerned with the role of his personal physician, Dr Conrad Murray, who was present with the performer when he breathed his last.
Meanwhile, the cardiologist who was with Michael Jackson during the pop star’s final moments sat down with investigators for the first time to explain his actions — and left three hours later as a witness, not a suspect. Dr Conrad Murray “helped identify the circumstances around the death of the pop icon and clarified some inconsistencies,” Murray’s spokeswoman Miranda Sevcik said in a statement on Saturday. “Investigators say the doctor is in no way a suspect and remains a witness to this tragedy.” she said. Police confirmed that they interviewed Murray, adding that he was cooperative and “provided information which will aid the investigation.”
Two wills
Meanwhile, singer’s messy financial affairs are another cause of worry for his family. Jackson, who was on the verge of a much awaited comeback in London 02 Arena from July 13, reportedly had a huge debt of over $ 500 million.
And the pop legend’s reported two wills are set to complicate the financial matters further, which may result in lengthy court battles for his fortune that is estimated at several million dollars.
But what remains a mystery is the true extent of his wealth. Jackson had been fighting off debtors for many years.
Jackson is estimated to have earned more than 400 million pounds since 1980s but saw his fortune ravaged by his own extravagant lifestyle and dozens of lawsuits. His estate reportedly includes earnings from his music estimated to be worth 30 to 60 million pounds and also his ownership rights of 251 Beatles songs, with top-selling songs such as ‘Yesterday’ and ‘Let it Be’. Jackson bought the songs for 28.7 million pounds in 1985 in a deal widely seen as one of the greatest coups in the history of music business.
Despite the sale of 50 per cent of the rights to Sony in 1995 for 60 million pounds, experts estimate the current value of the catalogue at 604 million pounds.