Michael Jackson’s death ‘homicide’

The seemingly paranoid statement from La Toya Jackson, sister of the late Michael Jackson, that her brother had been "murdered", may not be so far off the mark if TMZ.com has it right. The celebrity news site, which was first to break the story of Michael Jackson's death, claimed last night that "several law enforcement sources" are saying that the LA police are now treating his death as a homicide.

They believe he was killed by an anaesthetic, Propofol, which is administered intravenously. It is so powerful that it should only be used in hospitals under controlled conditions, including heart monitoring. However, it is understood it was regularly given to Jackson, a chronic insomniac, to help him sleep.

TMZ says there is "plenty of powerful evidence" that the drug had been administered by Dr Conrad Murray, the cardiologist was was acting as Jackson's personal doctor. The evidence is said to include various items found in the rented house in Holmby Hills where the pop star died, including a stash of the Propofol, an IV stand and an oxygen tank.

Murray's lawyer would neither confirm nor deny if his client administered the Propofol.

Los Angeles police have refused to comment the TMZ report. Officially, detectives are still awaiting the results of toxicology reports before they can confirm the cause of death.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
• Previously unseen footage has emerged of the infamous moment Jackson's hair and scalp caught fire while he was filming a Pepsi commercial in 1984. Although stills of the accident have been seen before, US magazine has obtained footage showing Jackson performing Billie Jean when a pyrotechnic stunt goes badly wrong. Watched by thousands of fans in LA's Shine Auditorium, the singer continued dancing unaware his hair was alight. Jackson's scalp was severely burnt and he required several skin graft operations to treat his injuries. Many believe his addiction to painkilling drugs dates back to the incident.
 
• Jackson's fans may have to wait at least two years before they can hear any of the 150 unreleased songs by the late pop star. Business Week is reporting that Jackson was locked into a contract with Sony music until the end of 2011. Although Sony would be keen to push for the release of the songs, Jackson's long-time lawyer, John Branca, one of the two "special administrators" of the King of Pop's estate and an old hand in the music industry, is expected to try to postpone any Jackson releases until the expiry of the Sony contract. ·