Michael Jackson’s cardiologist, who met with detectives Saturday, has provided information that will help with the investigation into the singer’s death, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
The department said late Saturday that it conducted an “extensive interview” with the doctor, who may have been the last person to see Jackson alive. “Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician who was with Michael Jackson at the time of his collapse, voluntarily contacted the Los Angeles Police Department,” the statement said. “Detectives assigned to Robbery-Homicide Division met with Dr. Murray and conducted an extensive interview. Dr. Murray was cooperative and provided information which will aid the investigation.” Jackson’s family suspects Murray can answer some lingering questions about the singer’s last hours, but they have been unable to contact him, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said Saturday. “The routine inquiry is now an investigation,” Jesse Jackson said. “They (Jacksons) didn’t know the doctor. … He should have met with the family, given them comfort on the last hours of their son.” Murray’s lawyer said earlier that the doctor was upset but willing to cooperate. “It’s a human tragedy and he’s upset obviously over the loss of Mr. Jackson. But he is not a suspect in the death of Mr. Jackson,” Matthew Alford said. Watch attorney for Jackson’s doctor say his client is not a suspect
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Los Angeles police, who met briefly with Murray after Jackson’s death Thursday, had been trying to set up the interview. “It is important to interview everybody that was in contact with Mr. Jackson immediately prior to his demise particularly anyone involved in his medical care,” said Deputy Police Chief Charlie Beck. “So it’s extremely important to talk to his doctor.” Detectives impounded Murray’s car, which was parked at the singer’s rented home, because it may contain evidence related to Jackson’s death, possibly prescription medications. Police have released no information on what they may have found. Alford said he did not have any details. “I have no information as to what if any treatment, or course of treatment he was doing for Mr. Jackson at all,” he said. Also Saturday, the Jackson family spoke out in a statement to People magazine and obtained by CNN. Read statement from People “In one of the darkest moments of our lives we find it hard to find the words appropriate to this sudden tragedy we all had to encounter,” said patriarch Joseph Jackson, speaking on behalf of the family. “Our beloved son, brother and father of three children has gone so unexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon,” he said. “It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point, where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times. The statement went on to thank fans worldwide for their condolences and expressions of grief. “Please do not despair, because Michael will continue to live on in each and every one of you,” Joseph Jackson said. Family members including Jackson’s mother, Katherine, were at the estate Jackson had rented in Holmby Hills. Around midday, two moving vans pulled up. One left empty, and the other apparently contained objects from the house. Other vehicles came and went, including a silver Range Rover driven by a plain clothes police officer. Vidal Herrera, founder of 1-800-AUTOPSY, a specialty autopsy business, told CNN on Saturday that the Jackson family had contacted the business to inquire about possibly having a second autopsy done there. Herrera, a former deputy field investigator for the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, said the funeral home where Jackson’s body was taken contacted him on Thursday, and a representative of the family called him on Friday. The name of the funeral home was not disclosed. He said he told the funeral home that he didn’t believe another autopsy was required. An autopsy was performed Friday by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. The body was moved to a funeral home Friday night. Michael Jackson died Thursday, and an autopsy was performed the following day. A spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroner’s office told reporters Friday that more tests must be conducted before a cause of death can be determined. That could take four to six weeks. The coroner said there was no indication of external trauma or foul play.
The 50-year-old pop star was discovered unconscious Thursday by paramedics at his home, where Murray apparently had tried to revive him. He was rushed to a Los Angeles medical center, where he was pronounced dead. Listen to the 911 call » The coroner’s office said Friday that they wouldn’t have an exact cause of death for four to six weeks, because further tests were being done, including toxicology exams.
