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Jackson funeral takes shape as drug probe widens
2009-07-02
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Funeral plans for Michael Jackson were slowly taking shape Thursday one week after the pop icon's death as federal drug investigators joined the probe into the superstar's sudden demise. After several days of swirling speculation over the likely final resting place for the King of Pop, reports citing unidentifed sources said a memorial service for Jackson would be held Tuesday at Los Angeles's Staples Center. Jackson would then be buried at the picturesque Forest Lawn cemetery nestled in the Hollywood Hills above Los Angeles, reports said. A spokesperson for the Jackson family would not comment on the reports early Thursday. On Wednesday the Jacksons had issued a statement ruling out the possibility of a poignant final farewell at the singer's Neverland Ranch. "Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland," it said. The announcement disappointed fans who had flocked to Neverland after reports indicated the family was planning services at the estate for Jackson, who died after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest on June 25. However Jackson's elder brother Jermaine told NBC television in an interview broadcast Thursday that he wanted to see the estate become his younger sibling's final resting place. "This is his home, he created this. Why wouldn't he be here?" Jackson said in an interview recorded at the estate. "I feel his presence. He built this place with love and you can see it and feel it." The uncertainty over Jackson's funeral arrangements came as more light was shed on the star's multi-million dollar estate with the emergence of a 2002 will filed at Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. In yet another surprising twist to the aftermath of Jackson's death, it was revealed that soul legend Diana Ross had been named as a back-up guardian to the singer's children in the event of his mother Katherine's death. The five-page document also revealed the singer's assets were to be left in the Michael Jackson Family Trust but the terms of the trust were not disclosed. Documents filed in addition to the will valued Jackson's estate at more than 500 million dollars, although it was not clear how that figure had been reached. Jackson was believed to be heavily in debt at the time of his death. A hearing to address the will and the guardianship of Jackson's children has been scheduled for July 4. A final cause of death for Jackson has not yet been determined pending the results of toxicology tests. However there has been renewed speculation linking the singer to powerful prescription drugs after reports that the sedative Propofol -- often used as an anesthetic in hospitals -- was found at his home. Police detectives are reportedly seeking to identify and interview "multiple doctors" who treated Jackson in the years before his death. Later Wednesday, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) declined to confirm reports it had joined the probe as investigators sought help in pinning down the source of prescription medications. "We routinely offer assistance to any agency regarding the Federal Controlled Substance Act, however, at this time we have nothing further to comment about the death of Michael Jackson," a DEA statement said.
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