This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8219362.stm
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Jackson 'had lethal drug levels' | Jackson 'had lethal drug levels' |
(30 minutes later) | |
Pop star Michael Jackson had lethal levels of the powerful anaesthetic propofol in his body when he died, coroner's office documents show. | Pop star Michael Jackson had lethal levels of the powerful anaesthetic propofol in his body when he died, coroner's office documents show. |
The findings were contained in a previously sealed search warrant which has been made public in Houston. | The findings were contained in a previously sealed search warrant which has been made public in Houston. |
The singer died on 25 June at the age of 50 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles. | The singer died on 25 June at the age of 50 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles. |
Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray has been interviewed twice by police but has not been named as an official suspect. | Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray has been interviewed twice by police but has not been named as an official suspect. |
PROPOFOL A powerful anaesthetic usually used before and during surgeryCan also be used in small doses to reduce stress or anxietyProduced as a white, opaque fluid and administered intravenouslyMarketed under the trade name Diprivan | |
Details of the LA county coroners' findings were revealed when a search warrant affidavit was made public in Houston, Texas, where Dr Murray has offices. | |
Dr Murray's offices were raided last month as part of the police investigation into the singer's death. | |
The Associated Press news agency quoted an unnamed police source as saying the coroner had ruled Jackson's death was a homicide. | |
Addiction fears | |
According to the affidavit, the LA chief coroner "had reviewed the preliminary toxicology results and his preliminary assessment of Jackson's cause of death was due to lethal levels of propofol". | |
The documents go on to say that Dr Murray told police he had been giving Jackson propofol as part of his treatment for insomnia. | |
Dr Conrad Murray was Michael Jackson's personal physician | |
But, he said he had been concerned Jackson was becoming addicted to the drug and had begun to lower the dosage. | But, he said he had been concerned Jackson was becoming addicted to the drug and had begun to lower the dosage. |
On the morning of the singer's death, Dr Murray is reported to have given Jackson a lower dosage of propofol after a number of other drugs had not worked. | |
He left the star alone to make some telephone calls and when he returned Jackson was not breathing, the LA Times reports. | He left the star alone to make some telephone calls and when he returned Jackson was not breathing, the LA Times reports. |
Dr Murray is known to have performed CPR on his patient while the paramedics were called, but Jackson was declared dead when he arrived at hospital. | |
Earlier this month, Dr Murray - who was employed as Michael Jackson's personal physician for a tour in London that had been scheduled for July - posted a video message of YouTube to thank his supporters. | |
"I told the truth and I have faith the truth will prevail," he said in the short one-minute clip. |