The Los Angeles County coroner’s office ruled Michael Jackson’s death a homicide citing acute propofol intoxication as the main cause. The Los Angeles Medical Examiner determined the drug benzodiazepines to be contributing factors.
California drug injury lawyer-Michael Jackson investigation ruled manner of death homicide by Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
Los Angeles, CA–The Los Angeles County coroner’s office ruled acute propofol intoxication as the cause of death in the Michael Jackson investigation and also ruled the manner of death as a homicide. As reported by the Los Angeles Times on Friday, August 28, 2009, contributing factors to Jackson’s death were also listed as benzodiazepines. Several benzodiazepines, a drug classification for various sedatives, were detected in the star’s blood including lorazepam, midazolam, and diazepam. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office requested the detailed Medical Examiner’s report including entire toxicology results remain on security hold while the investigation and possible pending manslaughter indictment continues.
California court documents reveal the LAPD named Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson’s personal treating physician on the morning of his death as the target on the ongoing manslaughter investigation. Jackson has a long standing history of drug use and health problems. Last week an affidavit taken by police in Houston was unsealed last week and Dr. Murray informed the questioning officers he honored Jackson’s continued last hour pleas for the powerful anesthetic, propofol that health care workers commonly refer to as “mother’s milk” or “milk of amnesia”.
Propofol, marketed as Diprivan by AstraZeneca is a short acting hypnotic administered intravenously and is a commonly used to induce and maintain general anesthesia by health care professionals. Propofol has a quicker recovery time is more rapid and clear compared to other sedatives and has an amnesic effect. Dr. Murray revealed his professional concerns Jackson was addicted to propofol and continued to refuse the pop icon’s pleas and continuously administered various different benzodiazepines intravenously, like Valium, Ativan, and Versed over a six hour period. The $150,000 a month private physician hired to accompany the internationally acclaimed singer performer to London for his 50 concert series finally administered the “milk of amnesia” at 10:40 a.m. Jackson suffered respiratory arrest which led to cardiac arrest and died from the lethal drug cocktail. There are many questions which have surfaced and reports that the doctor waited over 40 minutes to dial 911 after Jackson stopped breathing and there were no prescriptions on record for the intravenous medications found in Jackson’s or the doctor’s possession.
Legal news reporter for California drug injury lawyers, Heather L. Ryan.