Sources: Paramedics found Jackson dead

LOS ANGELES, July 26 (UPI) -- Law enforcement sources say paramedics called to Michael Jackson's Los Angeles home found the U.S. pop singer dead when they arrived.

The unidentified sources said after the "Thriller" singer showed no signs of life on June 25, responding paramedics wanted to pronounce Jackson dead, TMZ.com reported Sunday.

Despite the request from the paramedics, Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, had the pop star transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, the report said.

Murray had the ability to overrule the paramedics' request because he is a higher medical authority, TMZ.com said.

The anonymous sources said the paramedics also did not immediately recognize Jackson while responding to the emergency call.

"It just looked like a frail, old, sickly man," one emergency worker told TMZ.com of Jackson's appearance.