LAPD: No drug link yet in Jackson death

Published: June 26, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Fans gather at Michael Jackson's Hollywood Walk of Fame star in Los Angeles
Remembering Michael Jackson


LOS ANGELES, June 26 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles police officer in charge of the investigation into Michael Jackson's death said Friday no evidence has come up that drugs were involved.

Stories Jackson was injected with Demerol or other prescription painkillers shortly before he went into cardiac arrest Thursday "are coming from outside this investigation," Lt. Gregg Strenk told the Los Angeles Times.

An autopsy was completed Friday but the results of toxicology tests are not expected to be available for several weeks. Craig Harvey, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Coroner's Office, said any finding on the cause of death has been deferred.

Detectives said they want to talk to the doctor who was with Jackson to ask him about the pop icon's health and any treatment he was being given, Strenk said. Deputy Chief Charlie Beck told the Times late Friday detectives had located the doctor but would not say when they planned to interview him.

The Times identified the physician as Dr. Conrad Murray, who has offices in Nevada and Texas. Dr. Tohme Tohme, a Jackson adviser, told the newspaper Murray had been retained by AEG, the concert promoter behind Jackson's scheduled series of 50 concerts in England.

A representative for AEG would not comment, the Times said.

Marc Schaffel, Jackson's former video producer, told ABC News the singer had been addicted to Demerol for two decades and also took other drugs, including OxyContin. Schaffel said a plan in 2003 for an intervention to force Jackson to deal with his drug problem was abandoned because of a world tour.

© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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