Public viewing of Jackson's body set

LOS ANGELES, June 30 (UPI) -- The body of pop star Michael Jackson will be returned to his Neverland Ranch in California for a public viewing, CNN reported Tuesday.

The U.S. broadcaster said Jackson's body will be taken to the Santa Barbara County ranch, where he lived from 1987 to 2005, on Thursday and be on display for a public viewing Friday. CNN said it wasn't clear if that's where Jackson's body will be buried.

A private memorial service has reportedly been set for Sunday.

The broadcaster said Jackson retained a financial stake in Neverland Ranch after he moved out following his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges.

Meanwhile, Jackson's hometown of Gary, Ind., is seeking to convince the family to bury the music superstar there. A spokeswoman for Gary Mayor Rudy Clay told CNN he has been in contact with family members hoping to make that happen as the city plans for a July 10 memorial service at U.S. Steel Works Ballpark.