by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright June 25, 2009
All Rights Reserved.

        Shocking the entertainment world, 50-year-old “King of Pop” music legend Michael Jackson died at 12:21 p.m. of “cardiac arrest” most likely at his posh Westside Holmby Hills rented mansion before Los Angeles County paramedics attempted emergency resuscitation en route to UCLA-Ronald Reagan Medical Center.  Initial reports indicate he was non-responsive both in the ambulance and in the ER where a team of cardiologists and emergency medicine specialists futilely attempted revival. “It is believed he suffered a cardiac arrest in his home.  However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known,” said his brother Jermaine in a prepared statement.  When Los Angeles Police indicated they were investigating, red flags popped up, prompting speculation that something other than “heart attack” caused his death, possibly a drug overdose.

            Calling his death “cardiac arrest” should have alerted suspicious minds that something else caused his death.  His non-responsiveness to CPR points toward a drug overdose, analogous to the fate of supermodel Anna Nicole Smith who died suddenly in the Bahamas Feb. 8, 2007 of an “inadvertent” overdose.  “50 year-old male not breathing at all,” read the paramedic dispatch, hinting why Michael was non-responsive to CPR and “heroic” measures by paramedics and emergency medical personnel who would have (a) injected his heart with adrenalin and (b) inserted a breathing tube.  An unidentified UCLA source revealed that Jackson’s aides told paramedics he collapsed after taking an injection of Demerol, a synthetic form of the powerful narcotic painkiller morphine.  “Shortly after taking the Demerol, he started to experience shallow breathing,” said the unnamed source.

            Demerol and morphine carry the dangerous and potentially fatal risk of respiratory arrest.  While it’s true that the heart eventually stops, it’s respiratory arrest that causes death.  Michael’s inability to respond to life-saving medical procedures suggests that something impeded his response:  A drug overdose.  “His breathing gradually got slower and slower until it stopped,” said the source,” following the exact pattern of respiratory failure directly related to a narcotics overdose.  Suggesting “cardiac arrest” or “heart attack” in a 50-year-old conditioned dancer who just completed a rigorous workout at the Staples Center the night before doesn’t make sense.  While a “heart attack” is certainly possible, it’s not probable.  A coroner’s autopsy today will reveal the condition of Michael’s coronary arteries and presence, if any, of a blood clot causing a heart failure. 

            Other medical explanations for Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome include the far less likely ventricular arrhythmia caused by an electrical conduction problem.  “The call came in because the person was not breathing,” said a spokesman for the Los Angeles City Fire Dept., clearly indicating that no heart attack took place.  Like in the Anna Nicole Smith case, the simple and more plausible explanation of a drug overdose was overlooked.  When Hollywood’s glamour queen Marilyn Monroe overdosed and died Aug. 5, 1962, the tabloids went crazy, and still do, with a host of conspiracy theories suggesting the she was murdered.  Forget about credible reports by personal friends and medical personnel that indicated the 36-year-old actress abused alcohol and various sleep and anti-anxiety drugs.  Death comes to those in the fast lane more quickly when they abuse alcohol and drugs.

           Michael Jackson’s death strikes a painful blow to the global community where he became an icon of creative genius and all that’s possible in a world too plagued with poverty and consumed by racial, ethnic, religious and economic strife.  Michael bridged the gap and made everyone rich who listened to his music and watched his spectacular performances. Starting out at age 11 in 1969 as leader singer in the Jackson 5, Michael matured into America’s most dynamic entertainer, whose musical compositions, choreography and stagecraft took showmanship to new heights.  Despite his growing obsession with plastic surgery, Michael broke all music industry records with his 1982 album “Thriller,” selling more than 50 million copies, almost single-handedly launching the music-video industry.  His dazzling Feb 1, 1993 halftime performance at Super Bowl XXVII guaranteed his immortality.

           Shortly after the fireworks ended for Super Bowl XXVII, Jackson was accused in 1993 of child sexual abuse by the father of 13-year-old Jordan Chandler, eventually settling out of court for an unconfirmed $20 million.  Following series of bad marriages, Jackson grew more reclusive, retreating to his Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County, where he created a type of Disneyland/San Diego Zoo with amusement park rides and wild animals.  Though he continued to tour and launch successful records and music videos in the 1990s, Jackson was again accused by 14 year-old Gavin Arviso and tried on seven counts of child abuse in 2005, eventually acquittal in 2006.  Since then, he lived in virtual seclusion, hoping recently to re-launch his career in London and reverse an estimated $400 million in debt.  One drug too many most likely ended the life of America’s greatest showman.

 About the Author

 John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.