Details emerge of Jackson's pill intake
Further details concerning the extent of Michael Jackson’s medication intake emerged today with reports that he ordered staff to get him prescription drugs and travelled to other states to obtain more pills.
Broadcaster CNN said it had seen confidential documents from 2004 that revealed the lengths the pop star would go to to get pharmaceuticals.
It also stated that Jackson was on 10 Xanax pills a night. The use of the drug, usually taken to treat panic disorders, will add to speculation that heavy medication may have led to the death of the King of Pop.
Los Angeles’ police chief William Breton added to that speculation today by stating that detectives investigating Jackson’s death were looking at his prescription drug history and trying to talk to his numerous former doctors.
William Bratton told CNN that police were waiting for the coroner’s report before ruling out any possibilities in their “comprehensive and far-reaching” probe.
Based on the actual cause of death, police “will have an idea of what it is we are dealing with”, Mr Bratton said, adding: “Are we dealing with a homicide? Or are we dealing with accidental overdose?”
Results from toxicology tests ordered by the coroner are still weeks away.
Mr Bratton said that in the meantime, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the state attorney general’s office, which keeps a database of prescription drugs, were helping investigators.
Yesterday it emerged that friends and family of Michael Jackson had grown increasingly concerned over the pop star’s use of heavy medication in the last years of his life.
Sources said Jackson’s sister Janet – supported by other members of the Jackson family – tried to stage an intervention but was thwarted by her brother’s security guards.
According to CNN, the 'Thriller' singer allegedly ordered his aides not to allow them entry and even refused to take calls from his mother Katherine.
The singer’s friend and dermatologist Dr Arnold Klein had also repeatedly warned Jackson against using the powerful sedative Diprivan, he said.
Meanwhile, Jackson’s father today repeated his assertion that “foul play” was involved in his son’s death.
Joe Jackson told ABC he did not know anything about drugs his son was involved in.
“I don’t even know the name of them,” he said. “I do know that whatever he was taking was to make him rest because he had been working so hard.”
The Jackson patriarch added that he and his wife Katherine should have custody of Michael’s three children: “They’ll grow up to be strong Jacksons.”
He added that Michael’s children might have a future in entertainment. Prince Michael II, nicknamed Blanket “can really dance”, Jackson senior said.
A custody hearing is due to take place on Monday at LA’s Superior Court. As of today, no petition had so far been lodged against the awarding of temporary custody to Katherine Jackson.
