Drug Overdose Killed Michael Jackson

Drug Overdose Killed Michael Jackson
August 25, 2009

News Summary

The Los Angeles County Coroner has ruled that singer Michael Jackson died of a fatal overdose of the anesthetic propofol, reportedly administered by his personal physician, the Los Angeles Times reported Aug. 24.

An autopsy revealed lethal levels of the drug in Jackson's body. The singer's personal physician, Conrad Murray, told police he had been giving Jackson daily doses of propofol via IV for about six weeks to treat insomnia. Murray also gave Jackson a variety of other drugs to help him sleep, including the sedatives lorazepam, midazolam, and valium.

The night before Jackson died, Murray said he gave Jackson doses of valium, lorazepam, and midazolam, then administered propofol in the morning. The singer died shortly afterwards.

Authorities have found no evidence that Murray legally obtained propofol to treat Jackson.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by maxwood on 26 Aug 09 04:47 PM EDT

Because of the prevalence of the expression "MJ" in the media for years referring to Michael Jackson, I searched a bit to see if I could find anything on line linking Mr. Jackson with "that other MJ"-- with almost no success. One T. Chong, noted actor, said, "It would have been better for Michael Jackson if he had been the King of Pot instead of the King of Pop."

Posted by Marie on 26 Aug 09 10:10 PM EDT

I am pleased that these incidents are being brought to light since M.J.'s death. I almost lost my mother to a drug overdose last week. It was her 2nd suicide attempt in 4 months. She has a long history of care under psychiatrists who have prescribed for her several different types of tranquilizers which has caused an extreme addiction to them. I would like to know how she had access to 92 pills (the number she took last week) when she had a known suicide risk. And with Jackson's case, it is unthinkable that the doctor actually self-administered the drug that killed him on top of all the other drugs he prescribed to him!

Posted by Mike H on 01 Sep 09 12:27 PM EDT

Pleeeeeeze! Why is it always too late when we start looking for someone to blame? (After all, it was you & me.) The doctor was definately irresponsible, but MJ would have found another way to get what he wanted if Dr. Murray refused to give it to him. Anyone who knows anything about addiction knows that. Something needs to be done NOW to keep it from happening again! Who's next???

Posted by Angela in FLorida on 01 Sep 09 01:00 PM EDT

It is a shame that the public and physicians are not better trained on how to deal with insomnia. A prominent medical center did a costly "sleep study" on a friend who struggled with sleep problems and insomnia. The center simply ruled out sleep apnea and restless legs syndrone. The physician never screen for nor discussed possible psychiatric illnesses. Bipolar disorder affects 4-7% of the population. A most common symptom of bipolar is the inability to go to sleep, or to maintain sleep. Why don't journalist teach us this information?

Posted by Asia E on 01 Sep 09 02:15 PM EDT

This attests to MJ's tolerance to depressants, which is a sign of addiction and his inability to be sedated without the use of anesthesia. Michael bought "his" medical treatment from a Dr. who was willing to do whatever MJ wanted for money and instead of treating him for his addiction.

Calif. Seeks Improved Prescription Tracking

Ledger's Doctors Under Investigation

New FDA Rules Could Cut Narcotics Prescriptions

Country Singer Tours to Raise Funds for Addiction Research

The DAWN Report: New Data on Drug-Related Hospital Emergency Department Visits, 2006

The Addict: One Patient, One Doctor, One Year