Jackson, known as the King of Pop, stands out as one of the top-selling music stars ever, famed for chart-toppers like ‘Billie Jean,’ ‘Thriller,’ and ‘Rock With You.’
Over his forty-year career, he left his mark on music, dance, and style, while also attracting attention for his personal life.
Fans were heartbroken when news broke in 2009 that Jackson had passed away at 50, just as he was gearing up for his comeback tour, This Is It.
The death of the singer known for ‘Smooth Criminal’ was officially declared a homicide by ABC News, attributing it to a deadly mix of prescription drugs.
According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office, Jackson’s demise resulted from acute propofol intoxication.
The main substances contributing to the King of Pop’s death were propofol and lorazepam, with the office also highlighting the benzodiazepine effect as a contributing factor.
Reports indicated that other prescription medications found in his system included midazolam, diazepam, lidocaine, and ephedrine.
Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, stated to investigators that he had been treating the singer for weeks, trying to reduce his dependence on propofol by using prescription sedatives such as lorazepam and midazolam.
Murray faced trial for involuntary manslaughter in 2011 and pleaded not guilty, asserting in court (per BBC), “I am an innocent man.”
He was ultimately convicted of involuntary manslaughter in November 2011 and received a four-year prison sentence.
However, he served only two years of his sentence.
During Murray’s trial, Judge Michael Pastor of the Los Angeles Superior Court emphasized that: “This is a crime where the end result was the death of a human being. That factor demonstrates rather dramatically that the public should be protected.”
Following his conviction, Murray’s medical licenses in Texas, California, and Nevada were suspended, as reported by People.
In 2023, he established his own medical institute in El Socorro, San Juan, where he addressed his professional standing, as per the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.
According to the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, he expressed, “When I came back to Trinidad, most of the colleagues whom I had trained felt that I was too much of a threat to be present, when all I was willing to do was to collaborate, further educate and instill care for more and more.
“So they decided to eventfully lock the doors when they saw the cases I was performing.”
He went on: “It was tough. I dealt with the country locking its borders for two years but I did not give up. I felt that I had to be relentless.”
During Murray’s trial, new information emerged about Jackson’s final moments.
There have been different reports about the singer’s last words, but Murray claims the King of Pop made two statements before passing away.
He suggested the singer asked for ‘milk’ – reportedly a nickname for propofol because of its milky appearance.
Murray claimed (according to the Los Angeles Times): “He [Jackson] said, ‘Please, please, give me some milk so I can sleep, because I know this is the only thing that really works for me.’
“Hot milk or warm or just…”
Murray said he was worried about this, and Jackson allegedly responded: “Just make me sleep, it doesn’t matter what time I wake up.”
The doctor said he then decided to ‘switch to propofol,’ giving half the usual dose, and he told investigators he ’took all precautions that were available.’
Murray stated that he stepped away from the singer’s bedside for two minutes to use the bathroom, and upon his return, he discovered that his patient had stopped breathing.
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