On the Go: RSS | Email Alerts | Mobile and iPhone

Entertainment News

Print this Story
Set Text Size SmallSet Text Size MediumSet Text Size LargeSet Text Size X-Large

DEA joins Michael Jackson death investigation

Reported by: Associated Press
Last Update: 7/01/2009 9:49 pm
LOS ANGELES -- The investigation into Michael Jackson's death deepened late Wednesday with word that federal authorities will step in to help local police take a look at Jackson's doctors and his medications.
 
The Drug Enforcement Administration was asked to help the probe by the Los Angeles Police Department, a law enforcement official in Washington told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the investigation.
 
Following Jackson's death, allegations emerged that the 50-year-old King of Pop had been consuming painkillers, sedatives and antidepressants.
 
The federal agency can provide resources and experience in investigating drug abuse, illicit drug manufacturers known as "pill mills" and substances local police may not be familiar with, the official said.
 
Also Wednesday, a plan to bury Michael Jackson at his sprawling Neverland ranch collapsed, leaving details about his funeral undecided. Another mystery was solved: His newly unveiled will says his mother should raise his children, or failing her, Diana Ross.
 
The changing funeral circumstances thwarted many Jackson fans who had descended on the estate in the rolling hills near Santa Barbara with the hope of attending a public viewing.
 
"We're terribly disappointed," said Ida Barron, 44, who arrived with her husband Paul Barron, 56, intending to spend several days in a tent.
 
"We were going to listen to music and watch Michael Jackson DVDs and party all night long, not just to have fun, but in memory of Michael Jackson," Paul Barron said. "Now we're going to have to just go home."
 
Jackson's 7-year-old will, filed Wednesday in a Los Angeles court, gives his entire estate to a family trust and names his 79-year-old mother Katherine and his children as beneficiaries. The will also estimates the current value of his estate at more than $500 million.
 
Katherine Jackson was appointed their guardian, with entertainer Diana Ross, a longtime friend of Michael Jackson, named successor guardian if something happens to his mother. Ross introduced the Jackson 5 on the Ed Sullivan Show in the late 1960s and was instrumental in launching their career.
 
Meanwhile, Jackson family spokesman Ken Sunshine said a public memorial was in the works for Jackson but wouldn't be held at Neverland. In addition, it appeared more likely that a funeral and burial would take place in Los Angeles, a person familiar with the situation told the AP.
 
But the person, who is not authorized to speak for the family and requested anonymity, said nothing was planned for Neverland, at least through Friday.
 
The person said billionaire Thomas Barrack, who owns Neverland in a joint venture with Jackson, sought an exemption to bury the singer at the ranch. But the person says it's a complicated process and it couldn't be done for a burial this week.
 
"The family is aware a Neverland burial is not possible. They are expected to make decisions about whatever funeral and memorial service" will take place, the person said.
 
Heavy construction equipment and workers were seen passing through the wrought-iron gates of Neverland on Tuesday. It wasn't clear what they were doing. The property is about 120 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
 
At once a symbol of Jackson's success and excesses, Neverland -- nestled in wine country -- became the site of a makeshift memorial after his death.
 
In Los Angeles, Jackson's lawyer John Branca and family friend John McClain, a music executive, were named in the will as co-executors of his estate. In a statement, they said the most important element of the will was Jackson's steadfast desire that his mother become the legal guardian for his children.
 
"As we work to carry out Michael's instructions to safeguard both the future of his children as well as the remarkable legacy he left us as an artist, we ask that all matters involving his estate be handled with the dignity and the respect that Michael and his family deserve," the statement said.
 
The will doesn't name father Joe Jackson to any position of authority in administering the estate.
 
The executors moved quickly to take control of all of Michael Jackson's property, going to court hours after filing the will to challenge a previous ruling that gave Katherine Jackson control of 2,000 items from Neverland.
 
Paul Gordon Hoffman, an attorney for the executors, told Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff his clients are the proper people to take over Jackson's financial on requests to control the children's estates.
 
Rowe, who was married to Jackson in 1996 and filed for divorce three years later, surrendered her parental rights. An appeals court later found that was done in error, and Rowe and Jackson entered an out-of-court settlement in 2006.
 
Neither Rowe nor her attorneys have indicated whether she intends to seek custody of the two oldest children.



Weather & Traffic

Latest Weather Outlook
Another storm system is moving in
More Valley rain and mountain snow is on the way, but how much will we see? Video Watch Video
16 minutes ago


Movie Search
 
 
Add up to five (5) theaters to your My Favorite Theater list by clicking on the 'Add' button on the theater details page (must accept cookies.)
Box Office Results
Rank 
Movie 
Weekend Gross 
1Avatar
$41,300,000
2The Book of Eli
$31,615,000
3The Lovely Bones
$17,060,000
4Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
$11,500,000
5Sherlock Holmes
$9,825,000
Full Weekend Box Office Results
Upcoming Releases
Shutter Island
A 1950s lawman hunts a murderess who seemingly vanished from a locked hospital room.
All releases by month
  This site is hosted and managed by Inergize Digital.