{{Short description|2009 death of American singer}} {{Use American English|date=October 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Pp-vandalism|small=yes}} {{Pp-move}} {{Infobox historical event | Event_Name = Death of Michael Jackson | Image_Name = Michael Jackson Star on Hollywood Blvd (cropped).jpg | Imagesize = 260px | Image_Alt = Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, showing flowers for fans to express grief. | Image_Caption = Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame became a focal point for fans, surrounded by barriers and covered with flowers. | Location = Westwood, Los Angeles, California, US | Date = {{start date and age|2009|06|25}} | Deaths = Michael Jackson | time = 2:26 p.m. | timezone = Pacific Daylight Time | type = Accidental homicide by acute propofol intoxication | cause = Medical malpractice | trial = ''People v. Murray'' | coroner = Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner | convicted = Conrad Robert Murray | verdict = Guilty | convictions = Involuntary manslaughter | sentence = 4 years in prison (paroled after 1 year and 11 months) }} On June 25, 2009, American singer Michael Jackson died of acute propofol intoxication in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 50. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, said that he found Jackson in his bedroom at his North Carolwood Drive home in the Holmby Hills area of the city not breathing and with a weak pulse; he administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to no avail, and security called 9-1-1 at 12:21 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (UTC–7). Paramedics treated Jackson at the scene, but he was pronounced dead at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood at 2:26 p.m.<ref name="Michael Jackson dead at 50 after cardiac arrest">{{Cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/25/michael.jackson/index.html |title=Michael Jackson dead at 50 after cardiac arrest |agency=CNN |date=June 25, 2009 |access-date=August 31, 2009 |archive-date=July 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711172900/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/25/michael.jackson/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
On August 28, 2009, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner concluded that Jackson's death was a homicide.<ref name="Reuters20090828">{{cite news |title=Jackson death a homicide, criminal charge possible |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE57R4EY20090828 |date=August 28, 2009 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=January 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127121758/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE57R4EY20090828 |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson had been administered propofol and anti-anxiety benzodiazepines lorazepam and midazolam by his doctor.<ref name="Jackson investigator's errors">{{cite web | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/5751365/Jackson-investigators-errors | title=Jackson investigator's errors | work=Stuff | date=August 10, 2010 | access-date=May 4, 2013 | archive-date=October 18, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018220249/http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/5751365/Jackson-investigators-errors | url-status=live }}</ref> Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in November 2011, and was released in 2013 after serving two years of his four-year prison sentence with time off for good behavior.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24704030|title=Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray released from jail|work=BBC News|date=October 28, 2013|access-date=September 16, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019163008/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24704030|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYT-AP-release" />
At the time of his death, Jackson had been preparing for a series of comeback concerts, This Is It, that were due to begin in July 2009 in London, England. Following his death, there were unprecedented surges of Internet traffic and a spike in sales of his music.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-michael-jackson-sells,0,1243273.story|title=Sales of Michael Jackson's Music Skyrocket|agency=KTLA|date=June 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511232414/http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-michael-jackson-sells,0,1243273.story |archive-date=May 11, 2011}}</ref> A televised memorial service, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, had an estimated 2.5 billion viewers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5592621 |agency=MSN |title=Hazarika'{{'}}s funeral creates world record |date=July 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807110046/http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5592621 |archive-date=August 7, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://beyondthedash.com/blog/remembering/the-3-most-watched-televised-funerals-in-history/7319 |work=Beyond the Dash |title=The 3 Most Watched Televised Funerals in History |date=April 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Hanley |first=Paul |title=Eleven |publisher=Friesen Press |date=2014 |page=73 |isbn=9781460250464 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P9GZBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA73}}</ref> In 2010, Sony Music Entertainment signed a US$250 million deal with Jackson's estate to retain distribution rights to his recordings until 2017 and to release seven posthumous albums of unreleased material over the following decade, although only two were ever released.<ref name="Khaleej Times-2011">{{Cite news|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/licence-to-thrill#:~:text=Even%20after%20his%20death%20this,the%20decade%20following%20his%20death|title=Licence to thrill|date=June 6, 2011|newspaper=Khaleej Times|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021173216/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/licence-to-thrill#:~:text=Even%20after%20his%20death%20this,the%20decade%20following%20his%20death|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="France 24-2010">{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20100316-sony-pays-250m-jackson-distribution-rights|title=Sony pays $250m for Jackson distribution rights|date=March 16, 2010|website=France 24|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=October 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018220248/https://www.france24.com/en/20100316-sony-pays-250m-jackson-distribution-rights|url-status=live}}</ref>{{TOC limit|2}}
==Background== [[File:UCLA Reagan Medical Center.JPG|thumb|250px|alt=Two white multi-floored squared buildings with blue colored windows. There is a street and clear sky surrounding the buildings.|Jackson was taken by ambulance to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on June 25 where he arrived at 1:14 p.m. and was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m.]] At the time of his death, Jackson was preparing for a series of comeback concerts, This Is It, due to begin in July 2009 at the O2 Arena in London.<ref name="LATimesRehearsal" /> On June 24, Jackson arrived for rehearsal at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, at around 6:30 p.m. According to the magician Ed Alonzo, Jackson jokingly complained of laryngitis and did not rehearse until 9 p.m. "He looked great and had great energy," Alonzo said. The rehearsal went past midnight.<ref name="LATimesRehearsal">{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Chris |last2=Harriet |first2=Ryan |date=June 27, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson's last rehearsal: 'just beaming with gladness' |url=https://www.latimes.com/la-et-jackson-rehearsal27-2009jun27-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105022321/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-jackson-rehearsal27-2009jun27,0,4699249.story |archive-date=January 5, 2014 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>
Jackson returned to his home at 100 North Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills neighborhood around 1:00 a.m. the following morning and retired to bed half an hour later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-jacksons-death-recounted-in-detail-by-detective-473707/ |title=Michael Jackson’s Death Recounted in Detail by Detective|publisher=Billboard |date=January 10, 2011 |access-date=May 14, 2026}}</ref> Jackson had long suffered from insomnia, and had a history of using drugs in an attempt to help him sleep.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Nurse details Michael Jackson's fatal search for sleep|last=Duke|first=Alan|agency=CNN|date=August 29, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2022|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/29/showbiz/michael-jackson-death-trial/index.html|archive-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019070718/https://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/29/showbiz/michael-jackson-death-trial/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Jackson's personal physician, Conrad Murray, was present to help Jackson sleep and gave him various drugs including diazepam, lorazepam, and midazolam while monitoring him by his bedside. After several hours and several drug injections, Jackson was still unable to fall asleep, and, according to Murray, was repeatedly asking him for "milk", a nickname for the powerful surgical general anesthetic propofol, which Jackson had used in the past as a sleep aid. At 10:40 a.m., with Jackson still not asleep, Murray relented to his requests and injected him with 25 milligrams of propofol diluted with lidocaine. With Jackson finally asleep, Murray testified that he left his bedside to go to the bathroom. He returned two minutes later to find Jackson was not breathing and had a weak pulse.<ref name="Final Days" />
Murray testified that he tried to revive Jackson for around ten minutes by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and administering flumazenil, a drug used to counteract sedative overdose, after which he called for help from staff present in the house.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Potts |first=Kimberly |last2=Kenneally |first2=Tim |date=September 30, 2011 |title=Conrad Murray Trial, Day 4: ER Doc Says Murray Didn't Mention Propofol |url=https://www.thewrap.com/conrad-murray-trial-day-4-paramedics-who-tried-revive-mj-scheduled-testify-live-feed-314/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018232552/https://www.thewrap.com/conrad-murray-trial-day-4-paramedics-who-tried-revive-mj-scheduled-testify-live-feed-314/ |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |access-date=June 25, 2022 |magazine=TheWrap}}</ref> Statements described Murray using a non-standard CPR technique on Jackson. The recording of the emergency call was released on June 26, one day after Jackson's death, and it described Murray administering CPR on a bed, not on a hard surface such as a floor which would be both standard practice and more effective.<ref name="GumbelJune28">{{Cite news |last=Gumbel |first=Andrew |date=June 28, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson doctor hires lawyer as family hires pathologist |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/28/michael-jackson-doctor-lawyer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710183746/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/28/michael-jackson-doctor-lawyer |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="Telegraph911">{{Cite news |date=June 26, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson: transcript of 911 call |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5654048/Michael-Jackson-transcript-of-911-call.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710183746/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5654048/Michael-Jackson-transcript-of-911-call.html |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> Murray said that he placed one hand underneath Jackson and used the other for chest compression, whereas standard practice is to use both hands for compression.<ref name="PeopleJune29">{{Cite magazine |last=Lang |first=Anne |last2=Jones |first2=Oliver |date=June 29, 2009 |title=Attorney Defends Michael Jackson's Doctor |url=https://people.com/celebrity/attorney-defends-michael-jacksons-doctor/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113060332/https://people.com/celebrity/attorney-defends-michael-jacksons-doctor/ |archive-date=November 13, 2017 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |magazine=People}}</ref><ref name="ChildsSchlief">{{Cite news |last=Childs |first=Dan |last2=Schlief |first2=Michelle |date=June 29, 2009 |title=Could Better CPR Have Saved Michael Jackson? |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/MichaelJackson/Story?id=7960413&page=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407202340/https://abcnews.go.com/Health/MichaelJackson/Story?id=7960413&page=1 |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref> Murray controversially did not call 911; he said that he was hindered because there was no landline telephone in the house and because he did not know the house's exact address.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Conrad Murray: Michael Jackson 911 Call Would Have Been Neglect |last1=Avila |first1=Jim |last2=Folmer |first2=Kaitlyn |last3=Hopper |first3=Jessica |agency=ABC News |date=October 7, 2011 |access-date=June 25, 2022 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/Conrad_Murray_Trial/conrad-murray-police-interview-michael-jackson-neglected-hed/story?id=14688593 |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019071902/https://abcnews.go.com/US/Conrad_Murray_Trial/conrad-murray-police-interview-michael-jackson-neglected-hed/story?id=14688593 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SitRoomJune29">{{Cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/29/sitroom.01.html|title=The Situation Room Michael Jackson's Mother Granted Temporary Custody of Children; Interview With Joe Jackson|agency=CNN|date=June 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125125020/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/29/sitroom.01.html |archive-date=January 25, 2021}}</ref> It was later discovered that in the hour after discovering Jackson not breathing, Murray made several private calls on his cell phone that he did not inform law enforcement about.<ref name="Final Days">{{Cite news|title=TIMELINE: Michael Jackson's Final Days|last1=Whitcraft|first1=Teri|last2=Pisarcik|first2=Kristin|last3=Brown|first3=Kimberly|agency=ABC News|date=June 22, 2010|access-date=June 27, 2022|url=https://abcnews.go.com/2020/MichaelJackson/michael-jackson-final-days-timeline-year-death-king/story?id=10974394|archive-date=November 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123034921/https://abcnews.go.com/2020/MichaelJackson/michael-jackson-final-days-timeline-year-death-king/story?id=10974394|url-status=live}}</ref> A security guard eventually called 911 at 12:21 p.m., nearly an hour and a half after Jackson was first discovered not breathing. Paramedics reached Jackson at 12:26 p.m. and found that he was not breathing and had no pulse.<ref name="LATimesMobileJune25">{{Cite news |last=Blankstein |first=Andrew |last2=Willon |first2=Phil |date=June 25, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson dead at 50 |url=http://mobile.latimes.com/inf/infomo?view=page8&feed:a=latimes_1min&feed:c=topstories&feed:i=47712153&nopaging=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923180718/http://mobile.latimes.com/inf/infomo?view=page8&feed:a=latimes_1min&feed:c=topstories&feed:i=47712153&nopaging=1 |archive-date=September 23, 2009 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref name="Rayner">{{Cite news |last=Rayner |first=Gordon |last2=Singh |first2=Anita |date=June 26, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson: the final days and how TMZ.com scooped the world |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5653140/Michael-Jackson-the-final-days-and-how-TMZ.com-scooped-the-world.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710183746/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5653140/Michael-Jackson-the-final-days-and-how-TMZ.com-scooped-the-world.html |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>
Paramedics performed CPR for 42 minutes at the house.<ref name="BBCRuda">{{Cite news |last=Ruda |first=Steve |date=June 25, 2009 |title=Paramedic on Jackson 911 call |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8120084.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407202335/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8120084.stm |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref> Murray's attorney stated that Jackson had a pulse when he was taken out of the house and put in the ambulance.<ref name="PeopleJune29" /> A Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) official gave a different account, stating that paramedics found Jackson in "full cardiac arrest", and that they did not observe a change in his status en route to the hospital.<ref name="JEMSJune26">{{Cite web |last=Eckstein |first=Marc |date=June 26, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson EMS Response Details Emerge |url=http://connect.jems.com/forum/topics/michael-jackson-ems-response |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724095117/http://connect.jems.com/forum/topics/michael-jackson-ems-response |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |website=Journal of Emergency Medical Services}}</ref> LAFD transported him to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.<ref name="LATimesMobileJune25" /> The ambulance arrived at the hospital at approximately 1:14 p.m., and a team of medical personnel attempted to resuscitate him for more than an hour. They were unsuccessful, and Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. at the age of 50.<ref name="FoxNewsJune26">{{Cite news |last=McGevna |first=Allison |date=March 25, 2015 |orig-date=June 26, 2009 |title=Tape of 911 Call Released as Michael Jackson Autopsy Under Way |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/tape-of-911-call-released-as-michael-jackson-autopsy-under-way |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521153236/https://www.foxnews.com/story/tape-of-911-call-released-as-michael-jackson-autopsy-under-way |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |publisher=Fox News}}</ref><ref name="HarveyJune26">{{Cite news |last=Harvey |first=Michael |date=June 26, 2009 |title=Fans mourn artist for whom it didn't matter if you were black or white |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6580897.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531165925/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6580897.ece |archive-date=May 31, 2010 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |newspaper=The Times}}</ref><ref name="Tourtellotte">{{Cite news |last=Tourtellotte |first=Bob |date=June 25, 2009 |title=King of Pop Michael Jackson is dead: official |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE55O6AK20090626 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216215410/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE55O6AK20090626 |archive-date=February 16, 2010 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref>
==Investigation==
===Autopsies=== Jackson's corpse was flown by helicopter to the Los Angeles County Coroner's offices in Lincoln Heights, where a three-hour autopsy was performed the next day (June 26) on behalf of the Los Angeles County Coroner by the chief medical examiner Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=James |date=June 27, 2009 |title=A tortured star's last days |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/a-tortured-stars-last-days/article1199387/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202162211/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/a-tortured-stars-last-days/article1199387/ |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> The Jackson family arranged for a private, second autopsy, a practice that could yield expedited, albeit limited, results.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 27, 2009 |title=Jackson: 2nd autopsy 'underway' |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/jackson-2nd-autopsy-underway-20090628-d0uc.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724154454/http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/people/jackson-2nd-autopsy-underway-20090628-d0uc.html |archive-date=July 24, 2009 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Blankstein |first=Andrew |date=June 28, 2009 |title=Jackson's doctor raises 'no red flag' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jun-28-me-michael-jackson28-story.html |access-date=August 18, 2024 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> After the preliminary autopsy was completed, Craig Harvey, chief investigator for the coroner's office, said there was no evidence of trauma or foul play.<ref name=Steinhauer/>
On August 28, 2009, the Los Angeles County coroner classified Jackson's death as a homicide, determining that Jackson died from acute propofol intoxication, exacerbated by the anxiolytic lorazepam, and less significantly midazolam, diazepam, lidocaine, and ephedrine. The coroner kept the complete toxicology report private, as requested by the police and district attorney.<ref name="Reuters20090828" />
The autopsy report revealed that Jackson was otherwise healthy<ref name="VERY healthy">{{cite web | url=https://abc7.com/archive/8387361/ | title=Michael Jackson very healthy according to medical examiner | publisher=KABC-TV | date=October 11, 2011 | first1=Miriam |last1=Hernandez |first2=Melissa |last2=MacBride | access-date=July 20, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005010254/http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news%2Fentertainment&id=8387361 | archive-date=October 5, 2013 | url-status=live }}</ref> for his age (age 50) and that his heart was strong; his most significant health issue was that his lungs were chronically inflamed, but this did not contribute to his death.<ref name="cnn.com">{{Cite news|first=Alan|last=Duke|title=Coroner releases new details about Michael Jackson's death|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/09/michael.jackson.autopsy/index.html|date=February 9, 2010|access-date=July 2, 2020|agency=CNN|archive-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019152557/http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/09/michael.jackson.autopsy/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His other major organs were normal and he had no atherosclerosis except for some slight plaque accumulation in the arteries in his leg.<ref name="nj.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/celebrities/index.ssf/2009/10/ap_autopsy_shocker_michael_jac.html|title=AP Autopsy shocker: Michael Jackson was healthy|work=NJ.com|date=October 2009|access-date=November 27, 2015|archive-date=October 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021181902/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/celebrities/2009/10/ap_autopsy_shocker_michael_jac.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bbc" /> The Associated Press reported that his weight was within the acceptable range.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8285841.stm|title=Jackson autopsy details revealed|date=October 1, 2009|publisher=BBC News|access-date=October 20, 2009|archive-date=June 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626002021/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8285841.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Law enforcement agencies=== Jackson's death was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)<ref name="Esposito">{{Cite news |last=Esposito |first=Richard |title=Exclusive: Police Say Michael Jackson 'Heavily Addicted' to Oxycontin |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/MichaelJackson/story?id=7938599&page=1 |date=June 25, 2009|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710183746/https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/MichaelJackson/story?id=7938599&page=1 |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref> and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the latter agency had the authority to investigate issues otherwise protected by doctor–patient confidentiality, allowing it to trace the complex trail of prescription drugs supplied to Jackson.<ref name="AC360July1">{{Cite news |last=Griffin |first=Drew |date=July 1, 2009 |title=DEA Joins Jackson Investigation; Jackson's Wishes Revealed; Drugged to Sleep; Sex, Lies & Outrage; Inside Blackwater's Mission; Michael Jackson & Bubbles the Chimp |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0907/01/acd.02.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126052610/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0907/01/acd.02.html |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |agency=CNN}}</ref>
On August 28, 2009, the LAPD announced that the case would be referred to prosecutors.<ref name=Reuters20090828 /> Because the LAPD did not secure Jackson's home and allowed the Jackson family access to it as well before returning to remove certain items, the department raised concerns by some observers that the chain of custody had been broken.<ref name=AC360July1 /><ref name=hollywoodreporter>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/lapd-scrutiny-jackson-death-86114/|title=LAPD under scrutiny in Jackson death|agency=Associated Press|via=''The Hollywood Reporter''|date=July 2, 2009|access-date=December 24, 2025}}</ref> The police maintained that they had followed protocol.<ref name=hollywoodreporter /> California Attorney General Jerry Brown announced that his office was helping the LAPD and DEA to create a statewide database of all medical doctors and prescriptions filled.<ref>Finn, Natalie. "Jackson Doc On the Move Again as Investigation Continues With State Attorney, DEA's Help", E!, July 2, 2009.</ref>
The LAPD subpoenaed medical records from doctors who had treated Jackson. Police considered, but did not bring, homicide charges against those who had supplied drugs to Jackson.<ref name=BoneJuly9>{{Cite news|last=Bone|first=James|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6681404.ece|title=Jackson death may have been 'homicide', says police chief|date=July 10, 2009|newspaper=The Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512174400/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6681404.ece |archive-date=May 12, 2011}}</ref><ref name=LATimesJuly19>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jul-19-me-jackson-legal19-story.html|title=Murder charges in Michael Jackson case are unlikely, source says|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 19, 2009}}</ref>
===Drug use allegations=== Marc Schaffel, Jackson's former video producer, said that the singer had used propofol, alprazolam and sertraline.<ref name=Donaldson>{{Cite news|last=Susan Donaldson|first=James|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/MichaelJackson/story?id=7938918&page=1|title=Friend Says Michael Jackson Battled Demerol Addiction|agency=ABC News|date=June 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519033540/https://abcnews.go.com/Health/MichaelJackson/story?id=7938918&page=1 |archive-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref> Other drugs included omeprazole, hydrocodone, paroxetine, carisoprodol, and hydromorphone.<ref name=Crawford>{{cite news |last=Crawford |first=Carly |title=Michael Jackson injected just before death |newspaper=Herald Sun |date=June 28, 2009 }}</ref> After his death, police found several drugs in his home, which included propofol. Some of these drugs had labels made out to fraudulent names, and others were unlabeled.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/MichaelJackson/story?id=7994823&page=1 | title=Officials Find Diprivan in Michael Jackson's Home | agency=ABC News | date=July 3, 2009 | access-date=July 17, 2011 | first1=Richard | last1=Esposito | first2=Vic | last2=Walter | first3=Dan | last3=Childs | archive-date=October 19, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019070719/https://abcnews.go.com/Health/MichaelJackson/story?id=7994823&page=1 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=GloverJuly4/> A 2004 police document prepared for the 2005 ''People v. Jackson'' child abuse trial said that Jackson was taking up to 40 alprazolam pills a night.<ref name=BoneJuly9/> Alprazolam was not found in his bloodstream at the time of death.<ref name="Jackson investigator's errors"/> Jackson's friend A. J. Farshchian stated that Jackson was scared of drugs.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hlntv.com/video/2011/09/29/jacksons-health-over-exaggerated?clusterId=#videoplayer | title=Jackson's health 'over-exaggerated?' | publisher=HLN | date=April 23, 2012 | access-date=May 5, 2013 | archive-date=October 18, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018215909/http://www.cnn.com/specials/videos/hln#videoplayer | url-status=live }}</ref>
Eugene Aksenoff is a Tokyo-based physician who had treated Jackson and his children on a few occasions, and he expressed concern about Jackson's use of various drugs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Matsutani |first=Minoru |date=July 16, 2009 |title=Tokyo doctor refused Jackson stimulants |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2009/07/16/national/tokyo-doctor-refused-jackson-stimulants/ |access-date=May 8, 2023 |newspaper=The Japan Times |archive-date=October 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022012649/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2009/07/16/national/tokyo-doctor-refused-jackson-stimulants/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He said that Jackson asked for stimulants so that he could get through some demanding performances, but Aksenoff said that he refused to prescribe them. He recalled that Jackson had chronic fatigue, fever, insomnia, and other symptoms, and he took a large amount of drugs. He suspected that one of the major factors causing these symptoms was excessive use of steroids or other skin-whitening medications.<ref name="Aksenoff">{{cite news |last=Matsutani |first=Minoru |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2009/07/16/national/tokyo-doctor-refused-jackson-stimulants/ |title=Tokyo doctor refused Jackson stimulants: Late 'King of Pop' asked for drugs in 2007 |newspaper=The Japan Times |date=July 16, 2009 |access-date=19 February 2022 |archive-date=October 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022012649/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2009/07/16/national/tokyo-doctor-refused-jackson-stimulants/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
His sister Janet Jackson claimed that their family tried to stage an intervention in early 2007 when Michael was living in Las Vegas.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/MichaelJackson/inside-michael-jacksons-family-finances/story?id=10052695 |title=Michael Jackson: Inside His Finances and Family |agency=ABC News |date=March 9, 2010|access-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018225757/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/MichaelJackson/inside-michael-jacksons-family-finances/story?id=10052695 |url-status=live }}</ref> She and some of their brothers allegedly traveled to his home but were turned away by security guards who were ordered not to let them enter. He was also rumored to have refused phone calls from his mother. However, the family denied that they had tried to intervene.<ref name="DukeJuly8" />
====Propofol==== [[File:Propofol.jpg|thumb|upright=0.45|alt= An ampoule of propofol |An ampoule of propofol]] Of all the drugs found in Jackson's home, the one that most concerned investigators was propofol (Diprivan), a powerful anesthetic administered intravenously in hospitals to induce and maintain anesthesia during surgery.<ref name=APJuly3>{{cite news |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/powerful-sedative-found-jackson-s-home-wbna31725355 |title=Powerful sedative found in Michael Jackson's home |agency=Associated Press |work=Today |date=July 3, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-date=April 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411141226/http://www.today.com/popculture/powerful-sedative-found-jackson-s-home-wbna31725355 |url-status=live }}</ref> Nicknamed "milk of amnesia" because of its opaque, milk-like appearance (and a play on the words "milk of magnesia"), the drug has been associated with cardiac arrest,<ref name=APJuly3/> but it still may be increasingly used off-label for anxiolytic and other medically unsubstantiated purposes.<ref name=GloverJuly4/> Several propofol bottles—both opened and not—were found in his home.<ref name=GloverJuly4>{{cite news |last=Glover |first=Scott |display-authors=etal |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/investigation-into-michael-jacksons-death-looks-at-doctors.html |title=Michael Jackson investigation focuses on doctors |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=July 4, 2009 |access-date=July 4, 2009 |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004232806/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/investigation-into-michael-jacksons-death-looks-at-doctors.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
On June 30, Cherilyn Lee, a nurse practitioner who had worked as Jackson's nutritionist, said that he had asked her in May to provide propofol to help him sleep, but she refused. He told her he had been given the drug before for persistent insomnia, and that a doctor had said it was safe as long as he was being monitored. Lee said she received a telephone call from an aide to Jackson on June 21 to say that Jackson was ill, although she no longer worked for him. She reported overhearing Jackson complain that one side of his body was hot, the other side cold. She advised the aide to send Jackson to a hospital; Lee thought she recognized the symptoms, and suspected that Jackson was on propofol.<ref name=Elber>{{cite news |last=Elber |first=Lynn |title=AP Exclusive: Michael Jackson, bedeviled by insomnia, begged for drug, says nurse-nutritionist |agency=Associated Press |date=June 30, 2009}}</ref>{{verify source|reason=Article not available online and AP is not a paper publication – where was it published?|date=February 2022}}
Arnold Klein said that Jackson used an anesthesiologist to administer propofol to help him sleep while he was on tour in Germany. The anesthesiologist would "take him down" at night and "bring him back up" in the morning during the HIStory World Tour of 1996 and 1997.<ref name=DukeJuly8>{{cite news |last1=Duke |first1=Alan |last2=Ahmed |first2=Saeed |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/09/jackson.wrap/index.html#cnnSTCVideo |title=More associates link Jackson to prescription drugs |agency=CNN |date=July 8, 2009 |access-date=July 9, 2009 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060913/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/09/jackson.wrap/index.html#cnnSTCVideo |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Medical professionals=== The DEA focused on at least five doctors who prescribed drugs to Jackson, trying to determine whether they had had a "face to face" relationship with him and whether they had made legally required diagnoses.<ref name=GloverJuly4/> At least nine doctors were under investigation.<ref name=WinterJuly15>{{Cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2009/07/15/doctors-treated-michael-jackson-investigation/|title=At Least Nine Doctors Who Treated Michael Jackson Under Investigation|agency=Fox News Channel|date=July 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222910/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2009/07/15/doctors-treated-michael-jackson-investigation/ |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> The police wanted to question 30 doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, including Arnold Klein.<ref name=HarlowJuly5/> Klein said that he occasionally had given Jackson pethidine to sedate him, but had administered nothing stronger and that he had turned his records over to the medical examiner.<ref name="LKLJuly8">{{Cite news |last=King |first=Larry |last2=Klein |first2=Arnold |date=July 8, 2009 |title=Interview with Michael Jackson's Doctor |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0907/08/lkl.01.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629114026/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0907/08/lkl.01.html |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |agency=CNN}}</ref>
====Personal physician==== {{main|People v. Murray{{!}}''People v. Murray''}} thumb|alt=A one-story tan colored building. Bushes, trees, a sidewalk, and a sky with multiple clouds surround the building. |Murray practiced out of the Armstrong Clinic in Houston. The clinic was raided during an investigation of Murray in July 2009. <!--digression removed, but ref preserved:<ref name=NetterJune29>Netter, Sarah, and Khan, Huma. [https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/MichaelJackson/story?id=7954316&page=1 Lawyer: Jackson's Doctor Had Difficulty Summoning Help], ABC News, June 29, 2009.</ref>--> Cardiologist Conrad Murray joined Jackson's camp in May 2009 as part of Jackson's agreement with AEG Live, the promoter of his London concerts. Murray first met Jackson in Las Vegas when he treated one of Jackson's children. AEG Live said Jackson insisted the company hire Murray to accompany him to England.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/dream-job-turns-tragedy-jackson-doctor-wbna31855763 |title=Dream job turns to tragedy for Jackson doctor |agency=Associated Press |work=Today |date=July 10, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-date=January 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112181040/https://www.today.com/popculture/dream-job-turns-tragedy-jackson-doctor-wbna31855763 |url-status=live }}</ref> During Murray's trial it emerged that AEG employed Murray and that Jackson did not sign the contract for the above-cited employment either.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://dalje.com/en/foto.php?id=19&rbr=23617&idrf=935562|title=Conrad Murray on trial in Michael Jackson death|work=Dalje|access-date=May 5, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927090908/http://dalje.com/en/foto.php?id=19&rbr=23617&idrf=935562|archive-date=September 27, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
Murray said through his attorney that he did not prescribe or administer pethidine or oxycodone to Jackson, but did not say what, if anything, he did prescribe or administer.<ref name=APJuly3/> Los Angeles police said Murray spoke to officers immediately after Jackson's death, and during an extensive interview two days later. They stressed that they found "no red flag" and did not suspect foul play.<ref name="GumbelJune28"/> On June 26, police towed away a car used by Murray, stating that it might contain medication or other evidence. The police released the car five days later.<ref name=AC360July1/>
Politician and minister Jesse Jackson, a friend of Michael Jackson's family, said that the family was concerned about Murray's role. "They have good reason to be ... he left the scene."<ref name="HarrisJune28">{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Paul |date=2009-06-27 |title=Michael Jackson's family 'ask for second autopsy' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/27/michael-jackson-death-autopsy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510182557/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/27/michael-jackson-death-autopsy |archive-date=May 10, 2017 |access-date= |work=The Observer |issn=0029-7712}}</ref> Over the next few weeks, law enforcement grew increasingly concerned about Murray, and on July 22 detectives searched Murray's medical office and storage unit in Houston, removing items such as a computer and two hard drives, contact lists and a hospital suspension notice.<ref name="ItemsTake">{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2009 |title=Items taken from Michael Jackson's doctor's buildings listed |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/23/jackson.doctor.search/index.html?iref=hpmostpop |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110052006/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/23/jackson.doctor.search/index.html?iref=hpmostpop |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |access-date=September 6, 2025 |agency=CNN}}</ref> On July 27, an anonymous source reported that Murray had administered propofol within 24 hours of Jackson's death.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ted |last=Rowlands |title=Source: Jackson's doctor gave drug authorities believe killed him |agency=CNN |date=July 27, 2009 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/27/michael.jackson/index.html |access-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407202342/https://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/27/michael.jackson/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CNN28July09">{{Cite news |date=July 28, 2009 |title=Police search Jackson doctor's home, office |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/28/michael.jackson/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090730043838/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/28/michael.jackson/index.html |archive-date=July 30, 2009 |access-date=June 25, 2025 |agency=CNN}}</ref> Investigators had searched Murray's home and office in Las Vegas,<ref name="NightlineJuly28">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=July 28, 2009 |title=Feds Raid Michael Jackson's Doctor Conrad Murray's Home and Office |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/MichaelJackson/Story?id=8192476&page=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090031/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/MichaelJackson/Story?id=8192476&page=1 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=June 25, 2025 |agency=ABC News |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as a Las Vegas pharmacy.<ref name="NYTimesAug11">{{Cite news |last=Friess |first=Steve |date=August 11, 2009 |title=New Raid in Inquiry on Jackson |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/us/12jackson.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122000337/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/us/12jackson.html |archive-date=November 22, 2017 |access-date=June 25, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Jackson paid Murray {{US$|150000|2009|long=no|round=-3|about=yes}} per month.<ref name="2010-02-11 CNN">{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Elizabeth |author-link1=Elizabeth Cohen |date=February 11, 2010 |title=Is your doctor a criminal? |url=https://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/11/michael.jackson.doctor.manslaughter/index.html |url-status=live |publisher=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710192155/http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/11/michael.jackson.doctor.manslaughter/index.html |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |access-date=September 8, 2023}}</ref>
On February 8, 2010, Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter by prosecutors in Los Angeles. Murray pleaded not guilty and was released after posting US$75,000 bail.<ref name=usatodaymurraycharged>{{cite news|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2010-02-08-michael-jackson-doctor_N.htm|title=Michael Jackson doctor pleads not guilty to manslaughter|first=Lorena|last=Blas|newspaper=USA Today|date=February 8, 2010|access-date=March 8, 2010|archive-date=November 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104121455/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2010-02-08-michael-jackson-doctor_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, the California Medical Board issued an order preventing Murray from administering heavy sedatives.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hennessy-Fiske |first1=Molly |last2=Grad |first2=Shelby |date=February 18, 2010 |title=Michael Jackson's doctor banned from administering heavy sedatives |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/02/michael-jackson-doctor-banned-from-administering-heavy-sedatives.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221102123/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/02/michael-jackson-doctor-banned-from-administering-heavy-sedatives.html |archive-date=February 21, 2010 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>
On January 11, 2011, the judge from Murray's preliminary hearing determined that Murray should stand trial for involuntary manslaughter in the Jackson case. The judge also suspended Murray's license to practice medicine in California.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dobuzinskis |first=Alex |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idINTRE70A0L820110112 |title=Judge orders Michael Jackson doctor to stand trial |publisher=Reuters |date=January 12, 2011 |access-date=January 21, 2011 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916201718/https://www.reuters.com/article/idINTRE70A0L820110112 |url-status=live }}</ref>
After several delays,<ref name=trialdelay>{{cite news|url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idCATRE7415ZF20110502|title=Michael Jackson doctor trial delayed to September|last=Serjeant|first=Jill|work=Reuters|date=May 2, 2011|access-date=May 6, 2011|archive-date=July 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720112040/http://ca.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idCATRE7415ZF20110502|url-status=dead}}</ref> the jury trial began on September 27, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fox2now.com/entertainment/ktla-michael-jackson-doctor-conrad-murray-trial,0,2869092.story|title=Attorneys Screen Jurors for Bias in Conrad Murray Trial|publisher=KTLA|date=September 21, 2011|access-date=September 22, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006042617/http://www.fox2now.com/entertainment/ktla-michael-jackson-doctor-conrad-murray-trial%2C0%2C2869092.story|archive-date=October 6, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> On November 7, 2011, Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter<ref>{{cite news |date=November 8, 2011 |title=Conrad Murray guilty of Michael Jackson manslaughter |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15624869 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107172336/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15624869 |archive-date=November 7, 2011 |access-date=November 7, 2011 |agency=BBC News}}</ref> and he was held without bail to await sentencing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 8, 2011 |title=Conrad Murray could face significant prison time |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109084137/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/conrad-murray-sentence-prison-term.html |archive-date=November 9, 2011 |access-date=June 25, 2025 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> On November 29, 2011, Murray received the maximum sentence of four years in prison.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 29, 2011 |title=Conrad Murray sentenced to four years in Jackson death |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-11-29/michael-jackson-doctor-murray-sentencing/51469570/1?csp=34news |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507142932/http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-11-29/michael-jackson-doctor-murray-sentencing/51469570/1?csp=34news |archive-date=May 7, 2016 |newspaper=USA Today}}</ref> Murray was released on October 28, 2013,<ref name="NYT-AP-release">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013/10/28/us/ap-us-michael-jackson-doctor.html|title=Jackson's Doctor Released From Jail|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 28, 2013|access-date=October 28, 2013|archive-date=October 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018215909/https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013/10/28/us/ap-us-michael-jackson-doctor.html|url-status=live}}</ref> due to California prison overcrowding and good behavior.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Conrad-Murray-to-Be-Released-From-Jail-229485661.html|title=Conrad Murray Released From Jail|agency=KNBC|date=28 October 2013|access-date=October 28, 2013|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029210945/http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Conrad-Murray-to-Be-Released-From-Jail-229485661.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Health== <!--note that a name redirects to this section-->{{Further|Health and appearance of Michael Jackson}} right|thumb|upright=0.7|alt=A white piece of paper with personal information about the death of a person. The paper's writing is all in black and has multiple sections blacked out.|Michael Jackson's initial death certificate, issued pending toxicology reports right|thumb|upright=0.7|alt=Another white piece of paper, with black writing and multiple sections blacked out, amending the prior form shown|The amendment form issued by the coroner for his death certificate, after toxicology reports became available. The cause is changed from "deferred" to "acute propofol intoxication" and the ruling of "Homicide" is added. Stacy Brown, a biographer, said Jackson had become "very frail, totally, totally underweight", and that his family had been worried about him. Another biographer, J. Randy Taraborrelli, said Jackson had been addicted to painkillers periodically for decades.<ref name=Steinhauer>{{cite news|last=Steinhauer|first=Jennifer|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/27/us/27Jackson.html|title=Medication a Focus of Jackson Inquiry|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 27, 2009|access-date=February 24, 2017|archive-date=October 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021175648/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/27/us/27Jackson.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Arnold Klein, Jackson's dermatologist, stated that Jackson misused prescription drugs, and that he had diagnosed him with vitiligo and lupus. However, Klein said when he saw Jackson at his office three days before his death, he "was in very good physical condition. He was dancing for my patients. He was very mentally aware when we saw him and he was in a very good mood."<ref name=LKLJuly8 />
==Reactions== {{Further|Jackson family|The Jackson 5}}
===Family=== The Jackson family released a statement following the death:
{{Blockquote|Our beloved son, brother, uncle and father of three children has gone so unexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon. It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point, where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20287787_20288069,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines|title=Jackson Family Issues Personal Statement to Fans|magazine=People|date=June 27, 2009|access-date=June 27, 2009|archive-date=April 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414230139/http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20287787_20288069,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
La Toya Jackson believed her brother "was murdered for his music catalogue".<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/michael-jackson-murdered-for-hit-catalogue-claims-latoya-2009167.html | location=London | newspaper=The Independent | title=Michael Jackson murdered for hit catalogue, claims LaToya | first=Katie | last=Hodge | date=June 24, 2010 | access-date=August 26, 2017 | archive-date=December 20, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220093718/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/michael-jackson-murdered-for-hit-catalogue-claims-latoya-2009167.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly after Jackson's death, his family raised questions about the role of AEG Live, the This Is It concert promoter, in the last few weeks of his life.<ref name=HarrisJune28/> Joe Jackson, their father, filed a complaint with the California Medical Board alleging that AEG Live was illegally practicing medicine by demanding that Murray get Jackson off various medications. The complaint also alleged that AEG Live failed to provide the resuscitation equipment and nurse which Murray had requested. AEG spokesman Michael Roth declined to comment on the complaint.<ref name=CNNJune18>{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Stan |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/06/18/jackson.aeg/index.html |title=Father of Michael Jackson accuses AEG of singer's death |agency=CNN |date=June 18, 2010 |access-date=June 27, 2010 |archive-date=June 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625020248/http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/06/18/jackson.aeg/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
After Murray pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge, several members of the Jackson family said they felt he deserved a more severe charge.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.com/crime/michael-jacksons-family-reacts-with-outrage-to-charge/ |title=Michael Jackson's Family Reacts with Outrage to Charge |first=Ken |last=Lee |magazine=People |date=February 8, 2009 |access-date=March 9, 2010 |archive-date=March 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307183706/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20342490,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 25, 2010, Joe filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Murray. The lawsuit alleged that Murray repeatedly lied to cover up his use of propofol, did not keep sufficient medical records and was negligent in his use of medications on Jackson. Murray's civil attorney, Charles Peckham, denied that Murray gave Jackson anything life-threatening.<ref name=APMSNBCJune25>{{cite news |last1=McCartney |first1=Anthony |last2=Ritter |first2=Ken |url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37928079/ns/today-entertainment/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628034505/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37928079/ns/today-entertainment/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 28, 2010 |title=Joe Jackson sues Murray for wrongful death |work=Associated Press/MSNBC |date=June 25, 2010}}</ref> On August 15, 2012, Joe Jackson dropped his wrongful death lawsuit against Murray.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/aug/16/michael-jackson-death-conrad-murray|title=Michael Jackson's father drops case against Conrad Murray|first=Associated Press in Los|last=Angeles|date=August 16, 2012|website=The Guardian|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=July 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713115821/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/aug/16/michael-jackson-death-conrad-murray|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Jackson family praised the guilty verdict against Murray.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://b96.radio.com/2011/11/07/guilty-or-not-guilty/|title=Is Dr. Conrad Murray Guilty Or Not Guilty?|date=November 7, 2011|work=B96 Chicago|access-date=November 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110210916/http://b96.radio.com/2011/11/07/guilty-or-not-guilty/|archive-date=November 10, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2017, Michael's daughter Paris Jackson stated that she was "absolutely" convinced that her father had been murdered.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/paris-jackson-life-after-neverland-128510/|title=Paris Jackson: Life After Neverland|first1=Brian|last1=Hiatt|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=January 24, 2017|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=July 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705193456/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/paris-jackson-life-after-neverland-128510/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2023, Conrad Murray has returned to Trinidad and Tobago to practice medicine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dowlat |first=Rhondor |date=May 26, 2023 |title=Michael Jackson's ex-doctor launches medical institute in San Juan |url=https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/michael-jacksons-exdoctor-launches-medical-institute-in-san-juan-6.2.1716470.f344930a9a |access-date=April 2, 2025 |newspaper=Trinidad and Tobago Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Avila |first=Daniela |date=June 28, 2023 |title=Michael Jackson's Doctor Conrad Murray Opens Medical Institute 12 Years After Involuntary Manslaughter Conviction |url=https://people.com/michael-jackson-doctor-conrad-murray-opens-medical-institute-7554294 |access-date=April 2, 2025 |magazine=People}}</ref>
In 2010, Jackson's three children and his mother Katherine sued Jackson's concert promoter Anschutz Entertainment Group, Inc. (AEG) and its subsidiaries and principals, alleging that AEG had negligently hired the doctor.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michael-jacksons-mother-sues-promoter-aeg-live/ |title=Michael Jackson's Mother Sues Promoter AEG Live |agency=Associated Press |date=September 15, 2010 |access-date=November 19, 2010 |via=CBS News |archive-date=October 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018120835/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/15/entertainment/main6870448.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, following a 21-week trial in Los Angeles, the jury rendered a verdict in AEG's favor, finding that AEG had no reason to know that Murray would be "unfit or incompetent to perform the work for which he was hired" and therefore was not negligent.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/michael-jackson-negligence-wrongful-death-lawsuit-aeg/1931517/|title=Michael Jackson Family Loses $1.5B Lawsuit Against Concert Promoter|agency=KNBC|date=September 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916202635/https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/michael-jackson-negligence-wrongful-death-lawsuit-aeg/1931517/ |archive-date=September 16, 2021}}</ref>
===Estate=== {{Further|Estate of Michael Jackson|Sony Music Publishing#Valuation}} Jackson's last will was filed by attorney John Branca at the Los Angeles County courthouse on July 1, 2009. Signed July 7, 2002, it named Branca and accountant John McClain as executors; they were confirmed as such by a Los Angeles judge on July 6, 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bone|first=James|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/jacksons-mother-removed-as-administrator-of-his-estate-q28cm7ckft3|title=Jackson's mother removed as administrator of his estate|newspaper=The Times|date=July 6, 2009}}</ref> All assets were given to the (pre-existing) Michael Jackson Family Trust (amended March 22, 2002),<ref name="JGwill">Garber, Julie. [http://wills.about.com/b/2009/07/06/musings-about-michael-jacksons-estate-plan.htm "Michael Jackson's Will vs. the Michael Jackson Family Trust"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412063742/http://wills.about.com/b/2009/07/06/musings-about-michael-jacksons-estate-plan.htm |date=April 12, 2014 }}, ''about.com'', July 6, 2009.</ref> the details of which were not made public. The Associated Press reported that, in 2007, Jackson had a net worth of $236.6 million: $567.6 million in assets, which included Neverland Ranch and his 50% share of Sony/ATV Music Publishing' catalog, and debts of $331 million.<ref name=MacAskillJuly1>{{Cite news|last=MacAskill|first=Ewen|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jul/01/michael-jackson-public-displayed-nerverland|title=Jackson's body to be put on public display at Neverland|publisher=The Guardian|date=July 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407202637/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jul/01/michael-jackson-public-displayed-nerverland |archive-date=April 7, 2022}}</ref> The guardianship of his three children was given to his mother, Katherine, or if she was unable or unwilling, to singer Diana Ross.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nasaw|first=Daniel|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jul/01/michael-jackson-will-debbie-row|title=Jackson's ex-wife cut out of will|publisher=The Guardian|date=July 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407202339/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jul/01/michael-jackson-will-debbie-row |archive-date=April 7, 2022 }}</ref> Jackson's will allocated 20% of his fortune as well as 20% of money made after death to unspecified charities.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/michael-jackson-s-nephew-to-share-custody-of-kids-1.1136974| title=Michael Jackson's nephew to share custody of kids| work=CBC News World| date=August 22, 2012| access-date=May 6, 2013| archive-date=October 19, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019221536/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/michael-jackson-s-nephew-to-share-custody-of-kids-1.1136974| url-status=live}}</ref>
Media reports suggested that the settlement of Jackson's estate could last many years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/michael-jackson-finances-will-take-years-to-unwind-wz7bfbxm659|title=Michael Jackson: finances will take years to unwind|newspaper=The Times|date=June 27, 2009}}</ref> The value of Sony/ATV Music Publishing was estimated by Ryan Schinman, chief of Platinum Rye, to be US$1.5 billion. Shinman's estimate makes Jackson's share of Sony/ATV worth $750 million, from which Jackson would have had an annual income of $80 million. In September 2016, a deal was finalized for Sony's acquisition of Jackson's share of Sony/ATV from the Jackson estate for $750 million.<ref name="Sony Finalizes Acquisition of Michael Jackson Estate's Stake in Sony/ATV Publishing">{{Cite magazine|last=Christman|first=Ed|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7526542/sony-atv-michael-jackson-publishing-acquisition-completed|title=Sony Finalizes Acquisition of Michael Jackson Estate’s Stake in Sony/ATV Publishing|magazine=Billboard|date=September 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112021346/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7526542/sony-atv-michael-jackson-publishing-acquisition-completed|archive-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref>
===Media coverage and internet activity=== [[File:Mjackson-apache-load-spike.png|thumb|250px|Wikipedia spikes at 15:00 hrs in Los Angeles, June 25.|alt=]] Jackson's death was first reported by the Los Angeles-based celebrity news website TMZ. Doctors at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center pronounced Jackson dead at 2:26 p.m., and TMZ announced the death 18 minutes later.<ref name=Rayner/> The ''Los Angeles Times'' confirmed the report at 2:51 p.m. PDT (5:51 p.m. EDT).<ref name="Rawlinson">{{Cite news|last=Rawlinson|first=Linnie|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/index.html|title=Jackson Dies, almost takes Internet With Him|agency=CNN|date=June 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121063551/http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/index.html |archive-date=November 21, 2009}}</ref> The news spread quickly online, causing websites to slow down and crash from user overload. TMZ and the ''Los Angeles Times'' suffered outages.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jackson dies, almost takes Internet with him|date=June 26, 2009|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/|last2=Hunt|first2=Nick|first1=Linnie|last1=Rawlinson|agency=CNN|access-date=March 16, 2013|archive-date=October 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022125418/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/|url-status=live}}</ref> Google initially believed that the millions of search requests meant their search engine was under a DDoS attack, and blocked searches related to Michael Jackson for 30 minutes. Twitter reported a crash, as did Wikipedia at 3:15 p.m. PDT (22:15 UTC).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8120324.stm|title=Web slows after Jackson's death|last=Shiels|first=Maggie|date=June 26, 2009|work=BBC News Online|access-date=May 31, 2015|archive-date=October 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026163258/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8120324.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The Wikimedia Foundation reported nearly a million visitors to Jackson's biography within one hour, likely the most visitors in a one-hour period to any article in Wikipedia's history up to that point.<ref>Phoebe. "The King of Pop vs. Wikipedia", ''The Wikipedia Signpost'', June 29, 2009; see [https://web.archive.org/web/20160125002320/http://stats.grok.se/en/200906/Michael_Jackson October 2009 stats]</ref> AOL Instant Messenger collapsed for 40 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0627/p25s09-usgn.html|title=Outpouring over Michael Jackson unlike anything since Princess Di|last=Wood|first=Daniel B.|date=June 27, 2009|newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor|access-date=May 31, 2015|archive-date=September 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922195855/https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2009/0627/p25s09-usgn.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Around 15 percent of Twitter posts (5,000 tweets per minute) mentioned Jackson after the news broke,<ref name="crash2">{{cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/Entertainment/Internet+stretched+limit+fans+flock+Michael+Jackson+news/1736311/story.html|title=Internet stretched to limit as fans flock for Michael Jackson news|last=Skok|first=David|date=June 26, 2009|newspaper=The Vancouver Sun|archive-date=July 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703075357/http://www.vancouversun.com/Entertainment/Internet+stretched+limit+fans+flock+Michael+Jackson+news/1736311/story.html}}</ref><ref name="Wortham2">{{cite news|url=http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/michael-jackson-tops-the-charts-on-twitter/|title=Michael Jackson Tops the Charts on Twitter|last=Wortham|first=Jenna|date=June 25, 2009|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=May 31, 2015|archive-date=May 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509013112/http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/michael-jackson-tops-the-charts-on-twitter/|url-status=live}}</ref> compared to the 5 percent recalled as having mentioned the Iranian elections or the flu pandemic that had made headlines earlier in the year.<ref name="Wortham2" /> Overall, web traffic ranged from 11 percent to at least 20 percent higher than normal.<ref name="crash2" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10273854-93.html|title=Debate: Can the Internet handle big breaking news?|last1=Krazit|first1=Tom|date=June 26, 2009|work=CNET|last2=McCullagh|first2=Declan|access-date=May 31, 2015|archive-date=August 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823224724/http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10273854-93.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> MTV and BET aired marathons of Jackson's music videos.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/the-michael-jackson-channel/|title=MTV's Jackson Marathon|last=Dtelter|first=Brian|date=June 26, 2009|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=May 31, 2015|archive-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019173151/https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/the-michael-jackson-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Specials about Jackson aired on multiple television stations around the world. The British soap opera ''EastEnders'' added a last-minute scene to the June 26 episode, in which the character Denise Johnson discussed the news with Patrick Trueman.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jacko news spreads to Eastenders|date=June 28, 2009|work=MSN Entertainment}}</ref> Magazines including ''Time'' published commemorative editions.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20287787_20288156,00.html|title=Time Magazine to Publish Special Jackson Issue|magazine=People|date=June 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018223826/http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20287787_20288156,00.html |archive-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref> A scene that had featured Jackson's sister La Toya was cut from the film ''Brüno'' out of respect toward Jackson's family.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hill|first=Catey|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2009/06/26/2009-06-26_scene_with_michael_jackson_and_laytoya_jackson_cut_from_sacha_baron_cohens_bruno.html|title=Scene with Michael Jackson, LaToya Jackson cut from Sacha Baron Cohen's "Bruno"|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=June 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721195319/http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2009/06/26/2009-06-26_scene_with_michael_jackson_and_laytoya_jackson_cut_from_sacha_baron_cohens_bruno.html |archive-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref>
According to an analysis released by the Global Language Monitor (GLM), 72 hours after his death, Jackson became the ninth-most-covered news item in global print and electronic media. For the Internet and social media, Jackson was number two, behind the election of President Barack Obama.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.languagemonitor.com/news/death-of-michael-jackson |title=Michael Jackson Now One of Top Stories of 21st century |work=The Global Language Monitor |date=June 29, 2009 |access-date=March 9, 2010 |archive-date=October 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023034200/https://languagemonitor.com/global-english/death-of-michael-jackson/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Commentators discussed Jackson's work and his "profoundly tragic figure".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldmeets.us/folha000020.shtml |title=Neverland Was Never Forever |first=João |last=Pereira Coutinho|website=World Meet Us |date=June 30, 2009 |access-date=March 9, 2010 |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021175650/https://worldmeets.us/folha000020.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Le Figaro'' columnist Yann Moix said that although Jackson, like his moonwalk dance move, lived life in reverse, the world at his death shed "identical and universal tears".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldmeets.us/lefigaro0000280.shtml |title=Michael Jackson: A Man Who Lived His Life in Reverse |work=World Meets Us|first=Yann |last=Moix |date=June 30, 2009 |access-date=March 9, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018220249/https://worldmeets.us/lefigaro0000280.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
A Pew Research Center survey found that two-thirds of Americans believed the coverage of Jackson's death was excessive, while 3 percent felt it was insufficient.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2009/07/01/coverage-of-jacksons-death-seen-as-excessive/|title=Most Americans believe Jackson coverage excessive|publisher=Pew Research Center|date=July 2, 2009}}</ref> In the UK, the BBC received over 700 complaints from viewers who thought his death dominated the news.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Khan|first=Urmee|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5713187/BBC-gets-over-700-complaints-about-wall-to-wall-coverage.html|title=BBC gets over 700 complaints about 'wall-to-wall' coverage|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=July 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710211341/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5713187/BBC-gets-over-700-complaints-about-wall-to-wall-coverage.html |archive-date=July 10, 2022 }}</ref> On June 29, American conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh said the coverage was a "horrible disgrace" and lent his support to activist-ministers Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, who were fighting to stem the press' speculation about what caused the death.<ref>[http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_062909/content/01125107.guest.html El Rushbo Supports Justice Brothers in Case of Media v. Michael Jackson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090702032137/http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_062909/content/01125107.guest.html |date=July 2, 2009 }}, ''Rushlimbaugh.com'', June 29, 2009.</ref> Other conservatives, including commentator Bill O'Reilly<ref>{{cite news |title=O'Reilly provokes outrage with Jackson rant |work=Yahoo News |date=July 2009}}</ref> and Congressman Peter T. King,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nypolitics.com/2009/07/06/congressman-peter-king-michael-jackson-is-a-pedophile-child-molester/|title=Congressman Peter King: Michael Jackson is a "Pedophile" "Child Molester" Video|website=NYPolitics|date=July 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116040333/http://www.nypolitics.com/2009/07/06/congressman-peter-king-michael-jackson-is-a-pedophile-child-molester |archive-date=January 16, 2010}}</ref> also disapproved the receiving of the media attention about Jackson's death. Meanwhile, Hugo Chávez, the President of Venezuela, called the pop star's death some "lamentable news", but criticized CNN for covering the death more heavily than the Honduran coup d'état.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31561046/|title=Fans around the world mourn Michael Jackson From L.A. to NYC, Colombia to Malaysia, tributes pour in for 'King of Pop'|agency=MSNBC|date=June 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627131849/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31561046/|archive-date=June 27, 2009}}</ref><ref name = "El_Universal">{{Cite news|url=http://worldmeets.us/eluniversal000038.shtml|title=Hugo Chavez Scolds CNN for Coverage of Michael Jackson's Death|publisher=El Universal|date=June 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710211345/https://worldmeets.us/eluniversal000038.shtml |archive-date=July 10, 2022 }}</ref>
In 2009, Jackson's family paid social media marketing company uSocial.net to increase the followers of Jackson's Twitter profile.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Michael-Jacksons-Family-Planned-To-Pay-Hundreds-Of-Pounds-To-Get-People-To-Follow-Him-On-Twitter/Article/200908215357578?lpos=Business_Article_Body_Copy_Region_0 |title=Jacko Twitter Followers 'Bought For Cash' |work=Sky News |date=August 10, 2009 |access-date=March 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814165541/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Michael-Jacksons-Family-Planned-To-Pay-Hundreds-Of-Pounds-To-Get-People-To-Follow-Him-On-Twitter/Article/200908215357578?lpos=Business_Article_Body_Copy_Region_0 |archive-date=August 14, 2009 |df=mdy }}</ref> According to the ''New York Daily News'', uSocial was contracted to deliver 25,000 followers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/tech_guide/2009/08/10/2009-08-10_usocial_claims_to_have_worked_with_michael_jacksons_family_to_secure_over_25000_.html|title=Marketing firm uSocial claims it helped Michael Jackson's family buy over 25,000 Twitter followers|work=New York Daily News|date=August 10, 2009|access-date=November 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208132830/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/marketing-firm-usocial-claims-helped-michael-jackson-family-buy-25-000-twitter-followers-article-1.395982|archive-date=December 8, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Grief=== [[File:Michael Jackson star6272009.JPG|thumb|150px|alt=The floor on an area on the ground is covered with flowers, cards and balloons. The area is closed off with metal barricades. |Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame became a focal point for public grief.]] News of Jackson's death triggered an outpouring of grief around the world. Fans gathered outside the UCLA Medical Center, Neverland Ranch, his Holmby Hills home, the Hayvenhurst Jackson family home in Encino, the Apollo Theater in New York, and at Hitsville U.S.A., the old Motown headquarters in Detroit where Jackson's career began, now the Motown Museum. Streets around the hospital were blocked off.<ref name=Coleman>{{Cite news|last=Coleman|first=Mark|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5645517/Michael-Jackson-is-dead-fans-mourn-outside-hospital.html|title=Michael Jackson is dead: fans mourn outside hospital|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=June 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710211436/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5645517/Michael-Jackson-is-dead-fans-mourn-outside-hospital.html |archive-date=July 10, 2022}}</ref> A small crowd, including the city's mayor, gathered outside Jackson's childhood home in Gary, where the flag on city hall was flown at half-staff in his honor.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Lauri Harvey |last=Keagle|url=http://nwitimes.com/news/local/article_09dde006-1899-5b27-9f38-b190d4c7a64e.html|title=Fans paying respects to King of Pop at boyhood home|newspaper=The Times of Northwest Indiana|date=June 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626184501/https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/article_09dde006-1899-5b27-9f38-b190d4c7a64e.html |archive-date=June 26, 2019}}</ref> Fans in Hollywood initially gathered around the Walk of Fame star of radio host Michael Jackson, as they were unable to access the star of Jackson the singer, which had been temporarily covered by equipment in place for the ''Brüno'' film premiere.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/michael-jackson-7.html|title=Michael Jackson's death: Fans gather at wrong Hollywood star|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104114008/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/michael-jackson-7.html |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref> Grieving fans and memorial tributes relocated from the talk radio host's star the next day.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Behrens|first=Zach|url=http://laist.com/2009/06/26/crowds_gather_around_michael_jackso.php|title=Crowds Gather Around Michael Jackson's Star After Bruno Premiere|website=Hollywood Laist|date=June 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629071126/http://laist.com/2009/06/26/crowds_gather_around_michael_jackso.php |archive-date=June 29, 2009}}</ref>
From Odessa<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://photo.unian.net/eng/themes/13467|agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|title=Events by themes: In Odessa honoured memory of Michael Jackson|date=June 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505085559/https://photo.unian.net/eng/themes/13467 |archive-date=May 5, 2019 }}</ref> to Brussels,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gva.be/nieuws/media-en-cultuur/video/extern-hulde-aan-michael-jackson-in-brussel.aspx|title=Hulde aan Michael Jackson in Brussel|website=Gazet van Antwerpen|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708122435/http://www.gva.be/nieuws/media-en-cultuur/video/extern-hulde-aan-michael-jackson-in-brussel.aspx |archive-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref> and beyond, fans held their own memorial gatherings. US President Barack Obama sent a letter of condolence to the Jackson family,<ref name=GumbelJune28/> and the House of Representatives observed a moment of silence.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gavin|first=Patrick|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2009/06/congress-pauses-for-jackson-024260|title=Congress pauses for Michael Jackson|publisher=Politico|date=June 26, 2009}}</ref> Obama later stated that Jackson "will go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/07/02/1985306.aspx |title=Obama On Michael Jackson's Death |first=Mark |last=Murray |work=MSNBC |date=July 2, 2009 |access-date=March 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705073504/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/07/02/1985306.aspx |archive-date=July 5, 2009 |df=mdy }}</ref> Former South African President Nelson Mandela said that Jackson's loss would be felt worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/51594/Nelson-Mandela-%27Michael-Jackson-Was-Part-Of-Our-Family%27|title=Nelson Mandela: 'Michael Jackson Was Part Of Our Family'|first=Jason|last=Gregory|work=gigwise.com|date=July 7, 2009|access-date=November 27, 2015|archive-date=October 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021173222/https://gigwise.com/news/51594/Nelson-Mandela-%27Michael-Jackson-Was-Part-Of-Our-Family%27|url-status=live}}</ref>
thumb|left|250px|alt=A group of people standing outside a gated area. There are trees, bushes, and grassed areas. A majority of the area the people and in are shadowed by the trees by the gate. |Fans visiting the makeshift memorial set up outside the Neverland Ranch entrance shortly after Jackson's death
In Japan, Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Tsutomu Sato told reporters, "I feel sad as I had watched him since he was a member of Jackson Five {{sic}}." Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada credited him with building a generation with his music.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1907367,00.html|title=Big In Japan: Tokyo Mourns Jackson's Death|magazine=Time|date=June 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628001342/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1907367,00.html|archive-date=June 28, 2009}}</ref> Health Minister Yōichi Masuzoe called the death an "extremely tragic loss".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/WireStory?id=7939257&page=1 |title=Michael Jackson Had Loyal, Generous Fans in Japan |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ABC News |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=March 9, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018215909/https://abcnews.go.com/International/WireStory?id=7939257&page=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In South Korea, Kim Dae-jung the president of the country from 1998 to 2003, said, “We lost a hero of the world.”<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/27/world/27jacksonreax.html|title=Around the World, Shock and Grief Over Jackson|newspaper=New York Times|date=June 26, 2009}}</ref>
In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesperson said: "This is very sad news for the millions of Michael Jackson fans in Britain and around the world."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8120738.stm|title=Brown 'saddened' by Jackson death|website=BBC News|date=June 26, 2009}}</ref> Conservative opposition leader David Cameron said: "I know Michael Jackson's fans in Britain and around the world will be sad today. Despite the controversies, he was a legendary entertainer."
Russian fans gathered outside the US Embassy in Moscow to mourn.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldmeets.us/novosti000069.shtml |title=Russian Fans of Michael Jackson Still Devastated |work=WorldMeetsUs |first=Yekaterina |last=Blinova |date=June 28, 2009 |access-date=March 9, 2010 |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019172612/https://worldmeets.us/novosti000069.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> French Minister of Culture Frédéric Mitterrand, said, "We all have a Michael Jackson within."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://worldmeets.us/lefigaro0000279.shtml |title=Jackson: The Tragic 'Genetically Modified' Icon of Globalization |first=Alexis |last=Griffiths |work=WorldMeetsUs |date=June 27, 2009 |access-date=March 9, 2010 |archive-date=October 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022012656/https://worldmeets.us/lefigaro0000279.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2009/music/news/jackson-s-death-dominates-global-news-1118005436/|title=Jackson’s death dominates global news|magazine=Variety|date=June 26, 2009}}</ref> Brazilian musician and former Culture Minister Gilberto Gil said, "It makes me very sad to see such a great and incredible talent leave us so soon."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/from-sydney-to-bogota-fans-mourn-jackson/|title=From Sydney To Bogota, Fans Mourn Jackson|agency=CBS News|date=June 25, 2009}}</ref>
Numerous celebrities reacted to Jackson's death. Elizabeth Taylor, a long-time friend, said that she could not imagine life without him.<ref name=TaylorJune26>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/elizabeth-taylor-i-loved-michael-with-all-my-soul-2009266|title=Elizabeth Taylor: "I Loved Michael With All My Soul"|magazine=Us Weekly|date=June 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511230637/http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/elizabeth-taylor-i-loved-michael-with-all-my-soul-2009266 |archive-date=May 11, 2011}}</ref> Liza Minnelli told CBS, "When the autopsy comes, all hell's going to break loose, so thank God we're celebrating him now."<ref name=GumbelJune27>{{Cite news|last=Gumbel|first=Andrew|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/26/michael-jackson-drugs-doctor-missing|title=Police focus on doctor who was with Michael Jackson as he died|publisher=The Guardian|date=June 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710211343/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/26/michael-jackson-drugs-doctor-missing |archive-date=July 10, 2022}}</ref> His sister La Toya stated that his daughter said he was being overworked. La Toya was quoted as saying, "She said, 'No, you don't understand. They kept working him and Daddy didn't want that, but they worked him constantly'. I felt so bad."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/music/michael-jacksons-daughter-reveals-death-fears/story-e6frexl9-1225781690322 |title=Michael Jackson's daughter reveals death fears |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=October 2, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018215909/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/music/michael-jacksons-daughter-reveals-death-fears/story-e6frexl9-1225781690322 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Tributes=== [[File:Sticky-holiday-MJ-tribute.jpg|left|thumb|210px|alt=A group of males and a female performing on stage in front of a crowd of people. A male is shown blowing a kiss to the audience while wearing a white glove in his right hand and a white shirt with black pants and a jacket. An African American male wearing a white and dark gray shirt is shown in a crouched-down position. The female is waving her hands in the air while wearing black fingerless gloves with a black shirt and pink shorts. There are also two other African American males in the background making hand gestures. Behind the people on the stage, there is a screen that shows a black and white photo. |During the second leg of Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour in July 2009, she and a Jackson impersonator performed a medley of Jackson's songs while photos of Jackson's were shown on a screen behind them.]]
==== Local ==== On June 30, 2009, U2 while performing their first show of the U2 360 tour in Barcelona dedicated the song "Angel of Harlem" to Jackson. U2 vocalist Bono sang verses from "Man in the Mirror" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" at the end of the song. On July 10, 2009, six thousand fans attended a musical tribute in Jackson's hometown of Gary, Indiana. Local performers staged a medley of his songs, and mayor Rudolph M. Clay unveiled a seven-foot memorial to him. Jesse Jackson addressed the crowd, stating, "This is where Michael learned to dance, where he learned to sing, where he learned to sacrifice."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5803369/Michael-Jackson-thousands-pay-tribute-at-birthplace-memorial.html|title=Michael Jackson: thousands pay tribute at birthplace memorial|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=July 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710211342/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5803369/Michael-Jackson-thousands-pay-tribute-at-birthplace-memorial.html |archive-date=July 10, 2022 }}</ref> The day after Jackson's death, rapper The Game released a tribute song, "Better on the Other Side", produced by DJ Khalil and featuring vocals by Diddy, Chris Brown, Polow da Don, Mario Winans, Usher, and Boyz II Men.<ref>Gamble, Ronnie. [http://www.ballerstatus.com/2009/06/26/the-game-gets-assist-from-chris-brown-diddy-for-michael-jackson-tribute/ The Game Gets Assist From Chris Brown, Diddy For Michael Jackson Tribute] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710211344/https://www.ballerstatus.com/2009/06/26/the-game-gets-assist-from-chris-brown-diddy-for-michael-jackson-tribute/ |date=July 10, 2022 }}, ''BallerStatus'', June 26, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2009.</ref> A variety of other artists recorded tributes, including 50 Cent,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1614814/20090626/jackson_michael.jhtml|title=50 Cent Pays Tribute To Michael Jackson|website=MTV|date=June 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217061228/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1614814/20090626/jackson_michael.jhtml |archive-date=December 17, 2010}}</ref> LL Cool J, Robbie Williams, Akon, Ariana Grande and guitarist Buckethead.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQdQy_Bkw3Q |title=ABC - A Michael Jackson tribute by Ariana Grande |date=June 25, 2009 |first=Ariana |last=Grande |access-date=October 22, 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="The Landing Beacon">[http://www.bucketheadland.com/01_The_Landing_Beacon.mp3 The Landing Beacon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311085528/http://www.bucketheadland.com/01_The_Landing_Beacon.mp3 |date=March 11, 2022 }}, Buckethead. Retrieved July 6, 2009.</ref>
On June 26, artists including Pharrell Williams and Lily Allen paid tribute to Jackson at the UK Glastonbury Festival.<ref name="bbctributeconcert1"/> Allen wore a single white glove (a signature look for Jackson), while the Streets performed a cover of "Billie Jean".<ref name="bbctributeconcert1">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8120310.stm |title=Glastonbury tributes for Jackson |work=BBC News |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=March 13, 2010 |archive-date=October 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023221324/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8120310.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Tributes to Jackson at the festival continued over the weekend.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/michael-jackson/45613 |title=Glastonbury's Emily Eavis announces Michael Jackson tribute plans |work=NNE |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=March 13, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018215909/https://www.nme.com/news/michael-jackson/45613 |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 5, 2009, Madonna performed a medley of Jackson's songs during her Sticky & Sweet Tour,<ref name="mtvtribute"/> while a Jackson impersonator performed Jackson's signature dances and photos of Jackson were displayed behind them.<ref name="mtvtribute">{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1615279/20090705/madonna.jhtml |title=Madonna Salutes Michael Jackson At London's O2 Arena |first=Jason |last=Rodriquez |website=MTV|date=July 5, 2009 |access-date=March 1, 2010 |archive-date=September 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918151250/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1615279/20090705/madonna.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="madonnatribute">{{cite news|title=Madonna pays tribute to Michael Jackson in concert|last=Saad|first=Mardeen|date=July 5, 2009|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
Metal and hard rock acts who performed Jackson songs in tribute include Metallica,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.blabbermouth.net/news/metallica-s-michael-jackson-tribute-at-germany-s-sonisphere-video-available/|title=METALLICA's MICHAEL JACKSON Tribute At Germany's SONISPHERE; Video Available|date=July 5, 2009|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407170614/https://search.blabbermouth.net/news/metallica-s-michael-jackson-tribute-at-germany-s-sonisphere-video-available/|url-status=live}}</ref> Chris Cornell,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.herokuapp.com/news/chris-cornell-pays-tribute-to-michael-jackson-at-sweden-s-peace-love-festival/|title=CHRIS CORNELL Pays Tribute To MICHAEL JACKSON At Sweden's PEACE & LOVE Festival|date=June 29, 2009|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407170618/https://blabbermouth.herokuapp.com/news/chris-cornell-pays-tribute-to-michael-jackson-at-sweden-s-peace-love-festival/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Steve Vai and Andy Timmons,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.blabbermouth.net/news/steve-vai-andy-timmons-pay-tribute-to-michael-jackson/|title=STEVE VAI, ANDY TIMMONS Pay Tribute To MICHAEL JACKSON|date=June 29, 2009|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407170631/https://search.blabbermouth.net/news/steve-vai-andy-timmons-pay-tribute-to-michael-jackson/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Extreme,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/extreme-pays-tribute-to-michael-jackson/|title=EXTREME Pays Tribute To MICHAEL JACKSON|date=July 13, 2009|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=October 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022012856/https://blabbermouth.net/news/extreme-pays-tribute-to-michael-jackson|url-status=live}}</ref> and CKY.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li3Hx1eDutE| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/li3Hx1eDutE| archive-date=October 30, 2021|title=CKY performs 'Beat It' during 'Carver City' Tour|author=carveycitytour2009|date=July 3, 2009|via=YouTube|access-date=August 18, 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Buckethead wrote a song entitled "The Homing Beacon", inspired by Jackson's film ''Captain EO''.<ref name="The Landing Beacon" /> Statements of tribute came from rock musicians including Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.herokuapp.com/news/judas-priest-bassist-talks-about-michael-jackson-s-death/|title=JUDAS PRIEST Bassist Talks About MICHAEL JACKSON's Death|date=July 7, 2009|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407170617/https://blabbermouth.herokuapp.com/news/judas-priest-bassist-talks-about-michael-jackson-s-death/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Queen guitarist Brian May,<ref name="blabbermouth.net">{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/van-halen-queen-poison-velvet-revolver-members-comment-on-michael-jackson-s-passing/|title=VAN HALEN, QUEEN, POISON, VELVET REVOLVER Members Comment On MICHAEL JACKSON's Passing|date=June 25, 2009|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=October 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018220029/https://blabbermouth.net/news/van-halen-queen-poison-velvet-revolver-members-comment-on-michael-jackson-s-passing|url-status=live}}</ref> members of Black Sabbath,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/black-sabbath-drummer-comments-on-michael-jackson-s-passing/|title=BLACK SABBATH Drummer Comments On MICHAEL JACKSON's Passing|date=July 8, 2009|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019070718/https://blabbermouth.net/news/black-sabbath-drummer-comments-on-michael-jackson-s-passing|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/black-sabbath-heaven-hell-bassist-comments-on-michael-jackson-s-passing/|title=BLACK SABBATH/HEAVEN & HELL Bassist Comments On MICHAEL JACKSON's Passing|date=June 26, 2009|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019152556/https://blabbermouth.net/news/black-sabbath-heaven-hell-bassist-comments-on-michael-jackson-s-passing|url-status=live}}</ref> former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach,<ref name="http">{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/sebastian-bach-geoff-tate-comment-on-michael-jackson-s-passing/|title=SEBASTIAN BACH, GEOFF TATE Comment On MICHAEL JACKSON's Passing|date=June 29, 2009|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021175648/https://blabbermouth.net/news/sebastian-bach-geoff-tate-comment-on-michael-jackson-s-passing|url-status=live}}</ref> Alice Cooper,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-cooper-chris-cornell-fred-durst-pay-tribute-to-michael-jackson/|title=ALICE COOPER, CHRIS CORNELL, FRED DURST Pay Tribute To MICHAEL JACKSON|date=June 26, 2009|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019152557/https://blabbermouth.net/news/alice-cooper-chris-cornell-fred-durst-pay-tribute-to-michael-jackson|url-status=live}}</ref> Geoff Tate of Queensrÿche,<ref name="http" /> Eddie Van Halen (who worked with Jackson during the recording of ''Thriller'')<ref name="blabbermouth.net" /> and Slash (who played guitar on Jackson's single "Give In to Me").<ref name="blabbermouth.net" /> In October 2013, a tribute album was released featuring current and former members of Iron Maiden, Kiss, Motörhead, Testament, Guns N' Roses, Fozzy, Quiet Riot, Dio, Whitesnake, and Mr. Big, among others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-motorhead-testament-ex-iron-maiden-members-pay-tribute-to-michael-jackson/|title=GUNS N' ROSES, MOTÖRHEAD, TESTAMENT, Ex-IRON MAIDEN Members Pay Tribute To MICHAEL JACKSON|date=September 28, 2013|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019151901/https://blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-motorhead-testament-ex-iron-maiden-members-pay-tribute-to-michael-jackson|url-status=live}}</ref>
Jackson's sister La Toya released her song "Home" on July 28 as a charity single in her brother's honor. All proceeds were donated to one of Michael's favorite charities.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/MichaelJackson/wireStory?id=8112623 |title=LaToya Song Re-Released as Michael Jackson Tribute |agency=Associated Press |via=ABC News |date=July 17, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2010}}</ref> BET's annual awards show aired three days after Jackson's death, on June 28, 2009, and included a tribute to him. Host Jamie Foxx said, "We want to celebrate this black man. He belongs to us and we shared him with everybody else." The ceremony featured performances of several of Jackson's songs, including pieces from his time with The Jackson Five and those from his solo career.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/26/jackson.bet.awards/|title=BET Awards to pay tribute to Jackson|website=CNN|date=June 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112181151/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/26/jackson.bet.awards/ |archive-date=January 12, 2021}}</ref> Joe Jackson and Al Sharpton were in the audience, and Janet Jackson spoke briefly on behalf of the family. The show was the most-watched in the awards shows history.<ref>"Ratings: Jackson Tribute Leads BET Awards to All-Time High, Disney Queens Rule, and More", ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer''. Retrieved July 2, 2009.</ref>
==== International ==== The day after Jackson's death, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro announced that the city would erect a statue of him in the favela of Dona Marta. Jackson had visited the community in 1996 and filmed a music video for "They Don't Care About Us" there. The mayor said that Jackson had helped make the community into "a model for social development".<ref name=Cobo/> Memorials were held in Tokyo, Japan,<ref name=Cobo>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268216/michael-jackson-remains-a-global-phenomenon|title=Michael Jackson Remains A Global Phenomenon|magazine=Billboard|date=July 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512175752/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268216/michael-jackson-remains-a-global-phenomenon |archive-date=May 12, 2021}}</ref> Bucharest, Romania,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.ro/stiri/muzica/nu-te-vom-uita-niciodata|title=Nu te vom uita niciodata!|website=MTV România|language=ro|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121123/http://www.mtv.ro/stiri/muzica/nu-te-vom-uita-niciodata |archive-date=January 19, 2019}}</ref> and Baku, Azerbaijan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=104416|title=Michael Jackson commemorated in Baku|agency=APA|date=June 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106090241/http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=104416 |archive-date=January 6, 2012 }}</ref> In Midyat, Turkey, a Salat al-Janazah (Islamic funeral prayer) was performed, and traditional funeral helva distributed.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 21, 2012|url=http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/id/25315736/|title=Midyat'a Michael Jackson anıtı yapılıyor (Michael Jackson memorial to be erected in Midyat)|access-date=January 22, 2012|archive-date=October 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021173400/https://www.ntv.com.tr/id/25315736/|url-status=live}}</ref> Fans gathered at the Eiffel Tower on June 28 to pay homage to Jackson.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/travel-news/parisian-fans-pay-homage-to-jackson-20090629-d1t9.html|title=Parisian fans pay homage to Jackson|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=June 29, 2009}}</ref>
The music video for "Do the Bartman", a ''Simpsons'' song co-written by Jackson, was broadcast ahead of an episode rerun of ''The Simpsons'' on June 28. It featured a title card paying tribute to Jackson.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Snierson |first=Dan |date=June 27, 2009 |url=http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/06/28/michael-jackson-the-simpsons-to-air-do-the-bartman-video-in-tribute/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725223210/http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/06/28/michael-jackson-the-simpsons-to-air-do-the-bartman-video-in-tribute/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 25, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson: 'The Simpsons' to re-air 'Do the Bartman' video in tribute on Sunday |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=June 28, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The 1991 ''Simpsons'' episode "Stark Raving Dad", which Jackson guest-starred in, was broadcast on Fox on July 5.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Snierson|first=Dan|url=http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/07/02/michael-jackson-the-simpsons-to-reair-the-pop-stars-1991-episode/|title=Michael Jackson: 'The Simpsons' to re-air the pop star's 1991 episode|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=July 2, 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710014054/http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/07/02/michael-jackson-the-simpsons-to-reair-the-pop-stars-1991-episode/ |archive-date=July 10, 2012}}</ref> The episode had been broadcast on the Dutch Comedy Central the day after his death and was dedicated to Jackson's memory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://i26.tinypic.com/23kui9s.png|title=Screenshot of a cached version of Comedy Central's TV Guide for June 26, 2009 (In Dutch)|access-date=August 4, 2009|archive-date=October 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018215914/http://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> His 1978 film ''The Wiz'' (in which he co-starred alongside Diana Ross and Richard Pryor) was briefly rereleased in a rare 35mm format and was shown at the Hollywood Theater in his honor. It was also re-released a week prior to the release of ''Michael Jackson's This Is It'' in select cities. Madonna opened the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards with a speech about Michael Jackson. Janet Jackson made an appearance at the VMAs to pay a musical tribute to her brother and honor his career.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1620979/20090908/jackson_janet.jhtml|title=Janet Jackson To Pay Tribute To Michael At The VMAs|website=MTV|date=September 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028014913/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1620979/20090908/jackson_janet.jhtml |archive-date=October 28, 2009}}</ref> He was honored with a posthumous lifetime achievement award during the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 31, 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7129735/Michael-Jacksons-children-pay-tribute-to-their-father-at-Grammys.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7129735/Michael-Jacksons-children-pay-tribute-to-their-father-at-Grammys.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Michael Jackson's children pay tribute to their father at Grammys |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=Feb 2, 2010 | first=Anita | last=Singh | date=February 1, 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Jackson was featured in the 82nd annual Academy Awards ceremony's "In Memoriam" tribute.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/farrah-fawcett-bea-arthur-absent-from-oscar-in-memoriam-montage_article_29869 |title=Farrah Fawcett, Bea Arthur Absent From Oscar 'In Memoriam' Montage |work=Access Hollywood |publisher=NBC Universal |date=March 8, 2010 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018222624/https://www.accesshollywood.com/farrah-fawcett-bea-arthur-absent-from-oscar-in-memoriam-montage_article_29869 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Record sales=== Jackson's record sales increased eighty-fold by June 29, according to HMV.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8123085.stm|title=Michael Jackson tops album chart|work=BBC News|date=June 29, 2009|access-date=April 11, 2011|archive-date=May 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512181929/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8123085.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Bill Carr of Amazon said the website sold out of all Jackson and Jackson 5 CDs within minutes of the news breaking, and that demand surpassed that for Elvis Presley and John Lennon after their sudden deaths in 1977 and 1980 respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2009/0627/p25s09-usgn.html|title=Outpouring over Michael Jackson unlike anything since Princess Di|date=June 27, 2009|publisher=Christian Science Monitor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630103329/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2009/0627/p25s09-usgn.html |archive-date=June 30, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6613436.ece |title=Michael Jackson's post-death music sales outstrip Elvis and John Lennon |first=Catherine |last=Boyle |work=The Times |location=London |date=July 1, 2009 |access-date=March 9, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018215910/https://www.the-tls.co.uk/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In Japan, six of his albums made SoundScan Japan's Top 200 Albums chart,<ref name=Cobo/> and in Poland, ''Thriller 25'' topped the national album chart and was replaced by ''King of Pop'' the following week.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=519&lang= |title=Sprzedaż w okresie 29.06.2009–05.07.2009 |work=OLiS |access-date=March 9, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018215908/http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=519&lang= |url-status=live }}</ref>
In Australia, 15 of his albums occupied the ARIA top 100 as of July 5, four of them in the top ten, with three occupying the top three spots. He had 34 singles in the top 100 singles chart, including four in the top ten. Album sales were 62,015 for the previous week; singles tallied 107,821 units.<ref>Cashmere, Paul. [http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=8703_Michael_Jackson_Dominates_Australian_Chart Michael Jackson Dominates Australian Chart] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706015403/http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=8703_Michael_Jackson_Dominates_Australian_Chart |date=July 6, 2009 }}, ''Undercover'', July 5, 2009.</ref> In the second week, album sales rose from the previous week and tallied 88,650 copies. On July 12, four albums were in the top 10 with three occupying the top three spots. In New Zealand, ''Thriller 25'' topped the chart.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Thriller+25&cat=a |title=Michael Jackson – Thriller 25 (album) |work=charts.nz |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=March 8, 2010 |df=mdy |archive-date=October 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023194603/https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Thriller+25&cat=a |url-status=live }}</ref> In Germany, ''King of Pop'' topped the album chart,<ref name="media KoP">{{cite web |url=http://www.gfk-entertainment.com/news/michael-jackson-regiert-posthum-die-charts.html |title=Michael Jackson – King of Pop |publisher=media control |access-date=Jul 7, 2009 |archive-date=October 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022012858/https://www.gfk-entertainment.com/news/michael-jackson-regiert-posthum-die-charts.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and from June 28 to July 4, nine of his albums occupied the Top 20 of CAPIF in Argentina.<ref>[http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?CodOp=ESCS&CO=6 CAPIF – Representando a la Industria Argentina de la Música] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20060502071524/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?CodOp=ESCS&CO=6 |date=May 2, 2006 }}</ref> In Billboard's European Top 100 Albums, he made history with eight of his albums in the top ten positions.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Sexton|first=Paul|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3icf26a0dad6f100161170cbf2b2f6bb83|title=Michael Jackson Scores Eight Of Top 10 Euro Albums|magazine=Billboard|date=July 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904023053/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3icf26a0dad6f100161170cbf2b2f6bb83 |archive-date=September 4, 2009}}</ref> As of August 3, ''King of Pop'' has spent four weeks atop Billboard's European Top 100 Albums chart.<ref name = "UK and Euro August 3"/> ''The Collection'' also spent two weeks atop the same chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267689/michael-jackson-continues-uk-chart-run |title=Michael Jackson Continues U.K. Chart Run |first=Paul |last=Sexton |magazine=Billboard, Inc |date=August 17, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021181211/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-jackson-continues-uk-chart-run-1266546/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the UK, on the Sunday following his death, his albums occupied 14 of the top 20 places on the ''Amazon.co.uk'' sales chart, with ''Off the Wall'' at the top. ''Number Ones'' reached the top of the UK Album Chart, and his studio albums occupied number two to number eight on the ''iTunes'' Music Store top albums. Six of his songs charted in the top 40: "Man in the Mirror" (11), "Thriller" (23), "Billie Jean" (25), "Smooth Criminal" (28)", "Beat It" (30), and "Earth Song" (38).<ref>[https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/ Singles chart for 04/07/2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104085354/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/ |date=January 4, 2021 }}, ''Chart Stats'', June 29, 2009.</ref> The following Sunday, 13 of Jackson's songs charted in the top 40, including "Man in the Mirror", which reached number two.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Give%20Give%20Give%20Me%20More%20More%20More |title=The Official Charts Company – Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=August 2, 2009 |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019153824/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/give%20give%20give%20me%20more%20more%20more/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He broke Ruby Murray's 1955 record of five songs in the top 30.<ref>[http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/c/uk/single_charts.html Singles chart for 06/07/2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811212612/http://uk.omg.yahoo.com/ |date=August 11, 2012 }}, ''Yahoo UK music charts'', July 6, 2009.</ref> ''The Essential Michael Jackson'' topped the album chart, giving Jackson a second number one album in as many weeks. He had five of the top ten albums in the album chart.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8135207.stm |title=Jackson maintains chart dominance |work=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=July 5, 2009 |access-date=July 5, 2009 |archive-date=October 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022012856/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8135207.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In third week sales, ''The Essential Michael Jackson'' retained the number one position and Jackson held three other positions within the top five.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/michael-jackson/46043 |title=Michael Jackson increases chart dominance |work=NME |location=UK |date=July 12, 2009 |access-date=July 12, 2009 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018215910/https://www.nme.com/news/michael-jackson/46043 |url-status=live }}</ref> By August 3, Jackson had sold 2 million records and spent six consecutive weeks atop the album chart.<ref name = "UK and Euro August 3">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267866/michael-jackson-black-eyed-peas-control-uk-charts |title=Michael Jackson, Black Eyed Peas Control U.K. Charts |first=Paul |last=Sexton |magazine=Billboard |date=August 3, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-date=June 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622232646/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267866/michael-jackson-black-eyed-peas-control-uk-charts |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idINIndia-41501020090803 |title=Jackson still top of British album charts |publisher=Thomson Reuters |date=August 3, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018215909/https://www.reuters.com/?edition-redirect=in |url-status=dead }}</ref> He retained the top spot on the album chart for a seventh consecutive week.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8192356.stm |title=Second chart-topper for Stryder |work=BBC Online |date=August 9, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710211344/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8192356.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the US, Jackson broke three chart records on the first ''Billboard'' issue date that followed his death. The entire top nine positions on ''Billboard''{{'s}} Top Pop Catalog Albums featured titles related to him. By the third week it would be the entire top 12 positions.<ref name="billboard.biz">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/genre/e3ia0e58e69829af2a979bb1ee7beebe5d1?imw=Y |title=Fans Snap Up 1.1 Million Michael Jackson Albums In One Week |first=Keith |last=Caulfield |magazine=Billboard, Inc |date=July 14, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018151450/https://www.billboard.com/pro/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Number Ones'' was the best-selling album of the week and topped the catalog chart with sales of 108,000, an increase of 2,340 percent. ''The Essential Michael Jackson'' (2) and ''Thriller'' (3) also sold over 100,000 units. The other titles on the chart are ''Off the Wall'' (4), Jackson Five's ''Ultimate Collection'' (5), ''Bad'' (6), ''Dangerous'' (7), ''HIStory: Past, Present and Future – Book I'' (8) and Jackson's ''Ultimate Collection'' (9). Collectively, his solo albums sold 422,000 copies in the week following his death, 800,000 copies in the first full week, and 1.1 million copies in the following week of his memorial service.<ref name="billboard.biz"/> He also broke a record on the Top Digital Albums chart, with six of the top 10 slots, including the entire top four. On the Hot Digital Songs chart he placed a record of 25 songs on the 75-position list. In the US, Jackson became the first artist to sell over one million downloads in a week, with 2.6 million sales.<ref>Caulfield, Keith. "Michael Jackson Breaks Billboard Charts Records", ''Billboard'', June 30, 2009.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Sisario|first=Ben|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/arts/music/02sales.html|title=In Death as in Life, Michael Jackson Sets Music Sales Records|newspaper=New York times|date=July 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710212539/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/arts/music/02sales.html |archive-date=July 10, 2022}}</ref>
By August 5, Jackson had sold nearly 3.8 million albums and 7.6 million tracks in the US ''Number Ones'' was the best-selling album for six out of seven weeks that followed his death.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/08/12/sugarland-albums-chart/ |title=Sugarland, outsold by Michael Jackson, tops the albums chart |first=Simon |last=Vozick-Levinson |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=August 12, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-date=August 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816002402/http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/08/12/sugarland-albums-chart/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-jackson-dave-grohls-supergroup-kristina-debarge-267828/ |title=Michael Jackson, Dave Grohl's Supergroup, Kristina Debarge |first=Bill |last=Werde |magazine=Billboard, Inc |date=August 5, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021173216/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-jackson-dave-grohls-supergroup-kristina-debarge-267828/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By year's end in 2009, Jackson had become the best-selling artist of the year selling 8.2 million albums in the US<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100109232409/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/01/07/swift-beats-boyle-plus-michael-jackson-beatles-rule-2009-charts/ Swift Beats Boyle, Plus Michael Jackson, Beatles Rule 2009 Charts]. ''Rolling Stone'', January 7, 2010.</ref> He also became the first artist in history to have four of the top 20 best-selling albums in a single year in the US, nearly doubling the sales of his nearest competitor.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704588404575124023860735864?mod=rss_Arts_and_Entertainment#articleTabs_comments |title=Sony Places Big Bet on a Fallen 'King' |last=Smith |first=Than |date=March 16, 2010 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=March 16, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018215909/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704588404575124023860735864?mod=rss_Arts_and_Entertainment#articleTabs_comments |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/960801/taylor-swift-edges-susan-boyle-for-2009s-top-selling-album|title=Taylor Swift Edges Susan Boyle For 2009's Top-Selling Album|magazine=Billboard|date=January 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427000452/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/960801/taylor-swift-edges-susan-boyle-for-2009s-top-selling-album |archive-date=April 27, 2014}}</ref> Jackson was also the third best-selling digital artist of 2009 in the US, selling approximately 12.35 million units.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100106007077&newsLang=en |title=2009 U.S. Music Purchases up 2.1% over 2008; Music Sales Exceed 1.5 Billion for Second Consecutive Year |work=Business Wire |publisher=Berkshire Hathaway Company |date=Jan 6, 2010 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-date=January 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116105359/http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100106007077&newsLang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 12 months that followed his death Jackson sold nine million albums in the US, and 35 million albums worldwide.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna37957972 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630050043/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37957972/ns/today-entertainment/ |url-status=live |archive-date=June 30, 2010 |title=Jackson sells 35 million albums since death |work=Today |date=June 27, 2010 |access-date=January 21, 2011}}</ref> By the end of 2013, album sales alone totaled 50 million worldwide according to ''Billboard''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Peters |first=Mitchell |date=November 8, 2013 |title=Michael Jackson's Touring Life After Death: The Billboard Cover Story |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-jacksons-touring-life-after-death-the-billboard-cover-story-5785656/ |access-date=August 25, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |quote=50 million albums sold worldwide after his death}}</ref> Other reputable sources has since published other figures tallies.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Wyman |first=Bill |date=January 3, 2013 |title=Did Thriller really sell a hundred million copies? |url=http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/did-thriller-really-sell-a-hundred-million-copies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515103954/http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/did-thriller-really-sell-a-hundred-million-copies#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 15, 2015 |access-date=August 25, 2024 |magazine=The New Yorker |quote=50 million song downloads since his death }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Christman |first=Ed |date=November 8, 2013 |title=The King's Coffers: Behind the Earnings of Michael Jackson's Estate |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-kings-coffers-behind-the-earnings-of-michael-jacksons-estate-5785629/ |access-date=August 25, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |quote=Nearly 4 million track sales for Jackson and 161,000 global albums and 516,000 track sales for the Jackson 5 in 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Michaels |first=Sean |date=June 22, 2010 |title=Michael Jackson earns $1bn since death one year ago |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jun/22/michael-jackson-1bn |access-date=August 25, 2024 |magazine=The Guardian |quote=4.5m ringtones within the year since his death}}</ref> His estate also generated revenues of $1 billion.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957679/how-michael-jackson-made-1-billion-since-his-death|title=How Michael Jackson Made $1 Billion Since His Death|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=June 21, 2010|magazine=Billboard, Inc|access-date=June 21, 2010|archive-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019071642/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/how-michael-jackson-made-1-billion-since-his-death-957679/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, Sony Music Entertainment signed a $250 million deal with Jackson's estate to retain distribution rights to his recordings until 2017 and to release seven posthumous albums of unreleased material over the decade following his death, only two of which ended up releasing.<ref name="Khaleej Times-2011"/><ref name="France 24-2010"/>
==Services==
===Memorial=== {{Main|Michael Jackson memorial service}}
[[Image:MichaelJacksonMemorial 02.jpg|right|thumb|alt=A white round building that has one glass front wall showing with a sign in red text that reads "Staples Center" in capital letters. In the background, there are multiple people walking in front of the building and a white parked car and a cloudy blue sky. | A worldwide audience of an estimated 2.5 to 3 billion people saw coverage of the memorial held in the Staples Center, pictured here during the memorial service.]] A private family service was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, after a public memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on July 7, where Jackson had rehearsed on June 24, the day before he died. The memorial service was organized by Jackson's concert promoter, AEG Live (who also own and operate the Staples Center).<ref>{{cite web|first=Tim|last=Parks|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a163368/aeg-to-release-jackson-memorial-tickets.html|title=AEG to release Jackson memorial tickets|publisher=Digital Spy|date=July 3, 2009|access-date=February 26, 2010|archive-date=July 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705120210/http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a163368/aeg-to-release-jackson-memorial-tickets.html|url-status=live}}</ref> AEG originally planned to charge for tickets,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cdn.singersroom.com/content/2009-07-03/AEG-Live-Backtracks-Over-Michael-Jackson-Funeral-Tickets-Offers-Giveaway/|title=AEG Live Backtracks Over Michael Jackson Funeral Tickets, Offers Giveawayerrors|date=July 3, 2009|access-date=May 6, 2013|publisher=cdn.singersroom.com|archive-date=October 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235919/http://cdn.singersroom.com/content/2009-07-03/AEG-Live-Backtracks-Over-Michael-Jackson-Funeral-Tickets-Offers-Giveaway/|url-status=dead}}</ref> but following public pressure, AEG instead distributed the 17,500 tickets for free through an online lottery that attracted over 1.2 million applicants in 24 hours,<ref>{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Nick|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5744787/Thirteen-applications-per-second-for-Michael-Jackson-memorial-tickets.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5744787/Thirteen-applications-per-second-for-Michael-Jackson-memorial-tickets.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Thirteen applications per second for Michael|work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London | date=July 6, 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and over a half-billion views of the webpage.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/michael-jackson-5.html |title=Website for Jackson tickets gets 500 million hits in first hour |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 3, 2009 |access-date=July 28, 2009 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193934/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/michael-jackson-5.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The service was broadcast live around the world, and was believed to have been watched by more than 2.5 billion persons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5592621|title=News|work=msn.com|access-date=November 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807110046/http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5592621|archive-date=August 7, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5592621|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807110046/http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5592621|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2014|title=Hazarika'{{'}}s funeral creates world record|date=August 7, 2014|access-date=December 30, 2016}}</ref>
Jackson's solid-bronze casket (which reportedly cost $25,000)<ref name=HarlowJuly5>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6638226.ece|first=John|last=Harlow|title=Police target 30 in hunt for Michael Jackson's drug suppliers|work=The Sunday Times|location=UK|date=July 9, 2009|access-date=July 4, 2009|archive-date=October 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018215910/https://www.the-tls.co.uk/|url-status=dead}}</ref> was placed in front of the stage. Numerous celebrity guests attended the services.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/print?id=8009534 |title=Michael Jackson to be Buried in Famed Hollywood Cemetery |agency=ABC News |date=July 6, 2009 |first1=Sarah |last1=Netter |first2=Emily |last2=Friedman |access-date=February 26, 2010 |archive-date=May 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511230640/http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=8009534 |url-status=live }}</ref> His brothers each wore a single, white, sparkling glove, while Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie, Jermaine Jackson and others sang his songs. Jackson's then 11-year-old daughter, Paris, broke down as she told the crowd, "I just want to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine ... and I just want to say I love him ... so much."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/07/michaeljackson|title=Liveblogging Michael Jackson's funeral and memorial service|date=July 7, 2009|website=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202095539/https://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/07/michaeljackson |archive-date=February 2, 2017 }}</ref> Marlon Jackson said, "Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone."<ref name=BBCJuly7>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8137700.stm|title=Fans and family remember Jackson|publisher=BBC News|date=July 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305080619/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8137700.stm |archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref>
===Burial=== According to reports, Jackson's burial was originally scheduled for August 29, 2009 (which would have been his 51st birthday).<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/08/18/michael-jackson-burial-scheduled-for-august-29th-at-forest-lawn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822145858/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/08/18/michael-jackson-burial-scheduled-for-august-29th-at-forest-lawn |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 22, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson Burial Scheduled For August at Forest Lawn |first=Daniel|last=Kreps |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 18, 2009 |access-date=February 26, 2010}}</ref> His service and burial were held at Glendale's Forest Lawn Memorial Park on September 3, 2009.<ref name="time-090903" /> The burial was attended by his family members, his first wife Lisa Marie Presley, and his friends Macaulay Culkin, Chris Tucker, Quincy Jones, Eddie Murphy, and Elizabeth Taylor, among others.<ref name="mtv-090904"/> The service began with Jackson's three children placing a golden crown on his casket.<ref name="mtv-090904">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1620834/20090904/jackson_michael.jhtml |title=Michael Jackson's Kids Lay Golden Crown On His Casket At Funeral |first=Gil |last=Kaufman |publisher=Viacom |date=September 4, 2009 |access-date=February 26, 2010 |archive-date=September 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906175125/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1620834/20090904/jackson_michael.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Jackson's funeral cost $1 million,<ref name="funeralcost1"/><ref name="rollingstonefuneralcosts">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/11/11/michael-jackson-funeral-cost-1-million-objections-against-estate-executors-dropped/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091116021451/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/11/11/michael-jackson-funeral-cost-1-million-objections-against-estate-executors-dropped/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 16, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson Funeral Cost $1 Million; Objections Against Estate Executors Dropped |first=Daniel|last=Kreps |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=November 11, 2009 |access-date=February 26, 2010}}</ref> including $590,000 for Jackson's crypt; $11,716 for guest invitations;<ref name="funeralcost1"/><ref name="rollingstonefuneralcosts"/> $30,000 for security and luxury cars; $16,000 for the florist; and $15,000 for the funeral planner.<ref name="funeralcost1"/> Jackson's family planned the funeral. Howard Weitzman, a lawyer for the estate executors, said that Jackson's "bigger than life" lifespan matched the lavishness of the funeral.<ref name="funeralcost1">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-11-me-jackson11-story.html |title=Michael Jackson's funeral cost more than $1 million, court documents show |first=Harriet |last=Ryan |first2=Victoria |last2=Kim |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 11, 2009 |access-date=February 26, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018230213/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-11-me-jackson11-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="rollingstonefuneralcosts"/>
Jackson is interred in the Holly Terrace section in the Great Mausoleum of Forest Lawn Memorial Park, a cemetery in Glendale, California. The mausoleum is a secure facility and is not accessible to the general public or to the media, except on an extremely limited basis. His unmarked crypt, which is partially visible at the tinted entrance of the Holly Terrace mausoleum, is covered in flowers fans leave, which are placed by security guards outside the crypt.<ref name="time-090903" /> The family had considered burying Jackson at Neverland Ranch. However, some family members objected to the site, saying that the ranch had been tainted by the 2005 trial and police raids of the property.<ref name="time-090903">{{Cite magazine|last=Alexander|first=Bryan|url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0%2C8599%2C1920240%2C00.html|title=Picking Jackson's Burial Place: Security Was Key|magazine=Time|date=September 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906025630/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1920240,00.html|archive-date=September 6, 2009}}</ref> Also, the owners of the ranch would have had to go through a permitting process with county and state government before establishing a cemetery at the site. In July 2010, security was increased at the mausoleum due to vandalism by fans leaving messages such as "Keep the dream alive" and "Miss you sweet angel" in permanent ink.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272633250.shtml |title = Jackson Fans Graffiti Tomb |work = National Ledger |date = July 14, 2010 |access-date = July 15, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100717010201/http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272633250.shtml |archive-date = July 17, 2010 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==Further reading== * Barnes, Brooks. [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/arts/music/26jackson.html A Star Idolized and Haunted, Michael Jackson Dies at 50], ''The New York Times'', June 25, 2009. * BBC News. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4612963.stm Obituary: Michael Jackson], June 26, 2009. * Boucher, Geoff, and Woo, Elaine. [https://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-jackson-obit26-2009jun26,0,1970798.story Michael Jackson's life was infused with fantasy and tragedy], ''Los Angeles Times'', June 26, 2009. * Rayner, Ben. [https://www.thestar.com/news/obituary/article/657035 Michael Jackson, 50: Child star, thriller, sad sideshow], ''The Toronto Star'', June 26, 2009. * Saperstein, Pat. [https://variety.com/2009/music/markets-festivals/michael-jackson-dies-at-50-1118005395/ Michael Jackson dies at 50], ''Variety'', June 25, 2009. * Sullivan, Caroline. [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/26/michael-jackson-obituary Michael Jackson], ''The Guardian'', June 26, 2009. * ''The Smoking Gun''. [http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0824091jackson1.html {{"'}}Lethal Levels' of Drug Killed Jackson"], August 24, 2009, includes State of California search warrant and affidavit. * ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. [https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/people/michael-jackson-obituary-a-gifted-troubled-king-of-pop-20090626-cyub.html Michael Jackson obituary: a gifted, troubled king of pop], June 26, 2009. * ''The Times''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100523200442/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article6581850.ece Michael Jackson], June 26, 2009. * Walters, Dell. "[https://washingtonian.com/2009/07/22/michael-jackson-slept-here/ Michael Slept Here]", ''Washingtonian'', August 1, 2009. * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090904002552/http://stats.grok.se/en/200906/michael%20jackson Wikipedia article traffic statistics – Michael Jackson – June 2009].
== External links == {{Commons}} * {{Wikiquote-inline|Michael Jackson}}
{{Michael Jackson|state=collapsed}} {{Portal bar|Greater Los Angeles|Biography|2000s}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Michael}}
Category:2009 in Los Angeles Category:2009 controversies in the United States Category:2009 in American music Category:Accidental deaths in California Category:African-American history in Los Angeles Category:Crimes adapted into films Category:Deaths by person in Los Angeles Category:Deaths from medical malpractice Category:Drug-related deaths in California Category:June 2009 crimes in the United States Category:Manslaughter in the United States Category:Medical controversies in the United States Category:Michael Jackson Category:Westwood, Los Angeles