The LA Times just confirmed on their website that Michael Jackson is dead:
Michael Jackson is dead
2:06 PM | June 25, 2009—Andrew Blankstein and Phil Willon
[Updated at 3:15 p.m.] Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The Times.]
[Updated at 2:46 p.m.] Jackson is in a coma and his family is arriving at his bedside, a law enforcement source told The Times.
Jackson was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center this afternoon by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics.
Fire Capt. Steve Ruda said paramedics responded to a call at Jackson’s home at 12:26 p.m. He was not breathing when they arrived. The paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and took him to the hospital, Ruda told The Times.
[Updated at 2:12 p.m.: Paramedics were called to a home in the 100 block of Carolwood Drive off Sunset Boulevard. Jackson had rented the Bel-Air home for $100,000 a month. It was described as a French chateau estate built in 2002 with seven bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, 12 fireplaces and a theater.
The home is about 2 1/2 miles, about a six-minute drive, from UCLA Medical Center. An earlier version of this post incorrectly described the time to travel between the home and hospital as two minutes.]
The news comes as Jackson, 50, was attempting a comeback after years of tabloid headlines, most notably his trial and acquittal on child molestation charges.
In May, The Times reported that Jackson had rented the Bel-Air residence and was rehearsing for a series of 50 sold-out shows in London’s O2 Arena. Jackson had won the backing of two billionaires to get the so-called “King of Pop” back on stage.
His backers envision the shows at AEG’s O2 as an audition for a career rebirth that could ultimately encompass a three-year world tour, a new album, movies, a Graceland-like museum, musical revues in Las Vegas and Macau, and even a “Thriller” casino. Such a rebound could wipe out Jackson’s massive debt.
Source: latimes.com
June 25th, 2009 - 7:40 pm
Michael Jackson was an amazing entertainer. Rest in peace and thank you for the memories.
June 25th, 2009 - 10:30 pm
Yeah, thank you for the child molestation memories and horrible plastic surgery that has scarred the lives of millions forever. When they do all these recaps will they mention who he really was? Probably not.
June 26th, 2009 - 12:24 am
i think its a tragedy, and he will be missed, whatever people said like wacko jacko, that bunch of bs, he was a good person
June 26th, 2009 - 7:31 am
He will be missed all that had the opportunity to enjoy his music and see his creative dancing. His talents and achievements will live on through memories of a great celebrity.
June 26th, 2009 - 11:44 am
Wow…What does his plastic surgery have to do with anything? Whatever he was, that’s between him and his Maker. He was truly a great entertainer.
June 26th, 2009 - 9:52 pm
chester the molester…. I meen M. J. same difference……..the death of an ANGEL is way more desurving of this attention!!!!!!
June 27th, 2009 - 5:49 am
Wow…he is surely going to be missed! Who care what he looked like – he was a great entertainer and his music and performances were the best!
June 30th, 2009 - 1:02 pm
Yeah, tell it like it was, brother. Children around the world will sleep a little safer now & all parents around the world can rest a little easier. Just go ask Cory Haim.