Jackson funeral touching, emotional: Guest

Michael Jackson, his gold coffin topped by a bejeweled crown placed there by his children, was laid to rest Thursday night at a funeral more than two months after his death and, because of his family`s tardy arrival, nearly two hours late.

The King of Pop was mourned by celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor, Barry Bonds and Macaulay Culkin at a private service outside the elaborate Forest Lawn Glendale mausoleum where Jackson was to be entombed.

As the hour-and-a-half service ended, Jackson`s mother appeared extremely weary and had to be helped to her car, according to one guest at the service. The person, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the day, said the service was simple but touching and emotional.

Gladys Knight sang "His Eye is on the Sparrow," and Clifton Davis sang "Never Can Say Goodbye," a tune he wrote for the Jackson 5. A minister spoke briefly.

Friends of the Jackson family were invited to speak and several did, telling of their admiration of the Jacksons, who raised themselves up from poverty. They recalled Michael Jackson`s sense of humor — if he were here today, they said, he would be laughing and smiling.

Afterward, the mourners stood and followed the crowned, lushly flower-draped casket as his five brothers — each wearing a bright red tie and a single crystal-studded glove — carried it into the mausoleum. The guest said Katherine Jackson had a difficult time going into the mausoleum; she was overcome and turned back, and it wasn`t clear if she went in at all.

Jackson`s daughter Paris, 10, cried as the group entered the mausoleum, but she and brothers Prince Michael, 12, and Prince Michael II, 7, known as Blanket, were composed through most of the service. The children placed on Jackson`s casket the spangled crown, which rested atop a plume of white and purple flowers.

Inside, Knight performed "Our Father" (The Lord`s Prayer), which the guest said moved many to tears. There were two oversized portraits of a youthful, vibrant Jackson mounted next to the casket amid displays of white lilies and roses. At Jackson`s lavish public memorial, red roses covered his casket.

No explanation was given to mourners for the service`s delay. The 77-year-old Taylor and others were left waiting in the late summer heat, with the temperature stuck at 90 degrees just before sunset. Some mourners fanned themselves with programs for the service.

Police had escorted the family`s motorcade of 31 cars, including Rolls-Royces and Cadillacs, from Encino to Forest Lawn, about a 20-minute journey, with the hearse bearing Jackson`s body at the end.

The invitation notice indicated the service would begin promptly at 7 pm; it began closer to 8:30.

About 250 seats were arranged for mourners over artificial turf laid roadside at the mausoleum, and a vivid orange moon, a mark of the devastating wildfire about 10 miles distant, hung over the cemetery.

A large, blimp-like inflated light, the type used in film and television production, and a boom camera hovered over the seating area placed in front of the elaborate marble mausoleum. The equipment raised the possibility that the footage would be used for the Jackson concert documentary "This Is It," or perhaps the Jackson brothers` upcoming reality show.

Nearly double the number of media credentials, 440, were issued to reporters and film crews who remained at a distance from the service and behind barricades.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who gave a rousing eulogy at Jackson`s public memorial two months ago, posted on his Twitter account — while the service was still under way — that he made a repeat performance Thursday night.

"I just spoke at the conclusion of tributes," Sharpton wrote. "Gladys Knight sang her heart out. Now we prepare to lay him to rest."

The few clusters of fans who gathered around the secure perimeter that encircled the cemetery entrance struggled to see much. Maria Martinez, 25, a fan from Riverside, Calif., who was joined by a dozen other Jackson admirers at a gas station near the security perimeter, gave a handful of pink flowers to a man with an invitation driving into the funeral.

"Can you please put these flowers on his grave?" she told him. Martinez said she picked them from a nearby park.

"They were small and ugly, but I did that with my heart," she said. "I`m not going to be able to get close, so this is as close as I could get to him."

The man consented, adding, "God bless."

Glendale police said all was going smoothly early in the evening and there were no arrests.

Jackson will share eternity at Forest Lawn with the likes of Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and WC Fields, entombed alongside them in the mausoleum that will be all but off-limits to adoring fans who might otherwise turn the pop star`s grave into a shrine.

The closest the public will be able to get to Jackson`s vault is a portion of the mausoleum that displays "The Last Supper Window," a life-size stained-glass re-creation of Leonardo da Vinci`s masterpiece. Several 10-minute presentations about the window are held regularly 365 days a year, but most of the building is restricted.

Lisa Burk, who blogs about celebrity graves at http://www.gravehunting.com, said the Jackson family chose well for his final resting place if it was privacy they were after.

"It`s impossible to get in there," Burk said. "It was before, and it will be worse now."

The Jackson family had booked an Italian restaurant in Pasadena for a gathering Thursday night, said Alex Carr, assistant operations manager at Villa Sorriso, in the city`s Old Town district. She wouldn`t specify the menu or number of people, but said the entire restaurant, which can accommodate 200 guests, had been reserved for the event and that security would be present.

The ceremony ends months of speculation that the singer`s body would be buried at Neverland Ranch, in part to make the property a Graceland-style attraction. An amended copy of Jackson`s death certificate was filed Thursday in Los Angeles County to reflect Forest Lawn as his final resting place.

In court on Wednesday, it was disclosed that 12 burial spaces were being purchased by Jackson`s estate at Forest Lawn Glendale, about eight miles north of downtown Los Angeles, but no details were offered on how they would be used.

The King of Pop died a drug-induced death June 25 at age 50 as he was about to embark on a comeback attempt. The coroner`s office has labeled the death a homicide, and Jackson`s death certificate lists "injection by another" as the cause.

Dr Conrad Murray, Jackson`s personal physician, told detectives he gave the singer a series of sedatives and the powerful anesthetic propofol to help him sleep. But prosecutors are still investigating, and no charges have been filed.

Jackson family belatedly leaves for funeral

A funeral procession including about 20 cars from the Jackson family compound is belatedly en route to the service for Michael Jackson at a Glendale cemetery.

The family motorcade departed from Encino more than a half-hour after the 7 p.m. Thursday service at Forest Lawn Glendale was scheduled to begin. The journey is about 20 minutes, even with a police escort.

The likely hourlong delay meant that celebrities — including 77-year-old Elizabeth Taylor — were kept waiting on a muggy night at which temperatures hovered at 90 just before sunset.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP`s earlier story is below.

GLENDALE, Calif. (AP) — Elizabeth Taylor, Barry Bonds and Macaulay Culkin and other celebrities were among the mourners gathered on a hot, muggy Thursday night for Michael Jackson`s funeral, slowly filling rows of white chairs placed outside the mausoleum where the King of Pop will be entombed.

Jackson`s family, including parents Joe and Katherine and the singer`s three children, had yet to arrive as the planned 7 p.m. start of the service came and went. With temperatures hovering at an oppressive 90 degrees, black-garbed mourners used programs for the service at Forest Lawn Glendale to fan themselves as they sat and waited.

A large, inflated light, the type used in film and television production, and a boom camera hovered over the seating area placed in front of the elaborate marble mausoleum. The equipment raised the possibility that the footage would be used for the Jackson concert documentary "This Is It."

About 250 seats were arranged for mourners over a green surface. Nearly double the number of media credentials, 435, were issued to reporters and film crews who remained at a distance from the service and behind barricades.

Maria Martinez, 25, a fan from Riverside, Calif., who was joined by a dozen other Jackson admirers at a gas station near the security perimeter, gave a handful of pink flowers to a man with an invitation driving into the funeral.

"Can you please put these flowers on his grave?" she told him. Martinez said she picked them from a nearby park. "They were small and ugly, but I did that with my heart. I`m not going to be able to get close, so this is as close as I could get to him."

The man consented, adding, "God bless."

Glendale police said all was going smoothly early in the evening and there were no arrests.

Michael Jackson will share eternity at Forest Lawn with the likes of Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and W.C. Fields, entombed alongside them in the mausoleum that will be all but off-limits to adoring fans who might otherwise turn the pop star`s grave into a shrine.

After the burial, the closest the public will be able to get to Jackson`s vault is a portion of the mausoleum that displays "The Last Supper Window," a life-size stained-glass re-creation of Leonardo da Vinci`s masterpiece. Several 10-minute presentations about the window are held regularly 365 days a year, but most of the building is restricted.

Lisa Burk, who blogs about celebrity graves at http://www.gravehunting.com, said the Jackson family chose well for his final resting place if it was privacy they were after.

"It`s impossible to get in there," Burk said. "It was before, and it will be worse now."

By late afternoon Thursday, media tents had cropped up all along the boulevard across from the wrought-iron gates that serve as the main entrance to Forest Lawn. That vantage point offered no view of any mausoleum — just a fountain and a building containing the gift shop.

The Jackson family had booked an Italian restaurant in Pasadena for a gathering Thursday night, said Alex Carr, assistant operations manager at Villa Sorriso, in the city`s Old Town district. She wouldn`t specify the menu or number of people, but said the entire restaurant, which can accommodate 200 guests, had been reserved for the event and that security would be present.

The ceremony ends months of speculation that the singer`s body would be buried at Neverland Ranch, in part to make the property a Graceland-style attraction. An amended copy of Jackson`s death certificate was filed Thursday in Los Angeles County to reflect Forest Lawn as his final resting place.

In court on Wednesday, it was disclosed that 12 burial spaces were being purchased by Jackson`s estate at Forest Lawn Glendale, about eight miles north of downtown Los Angeles, but no details were offered on how they would be used.

The King of Pop died a drug-induced death June 25 at age 50 as he was about to embark on a comeback attempt. The coroner`s office has labeled the death a homicide, and Jackson`s death certificate lists "injection by another" as the cause.

Dr Conrad Murray, Jackson`s personal physician, told detectives he gave the singer a series of sedatives and the powerful anesthetic propofol to help him sleep. But prosecutors are still investigating, and no charges have been filed.

Mourners gather for Michael Jackson funeral

Elizabeth Taylor, Barry Bonds and Macaulay Culkin and other celebrities were among the mourners gathered on a hot, muggy Thursday night for Michael Jackson`s funeral, slowly filling rows of white chairs placed outside the mausoleum where the King of Pop will be entombed.

Jackson`s family, including parents Joe and Katherine and the singer`s three children, had yet to arrive as the planned 7 p.m. start of the service came and went. With temperatures hovering at an oppressive 90 degrees, black-garbed mourners used programs for the service at Forest Lawn Glendale to fan themselves as they sat and waited.

A large, inflated light, the type used in film and television production, and a boom camera hovered over the seating area placed in front of the elaborate marble mausoleum. The equipment raised the possibility that the footage would be used for the Jackson concert documentary "This Is It."

About 250 seats were arranged for mourners over a green surface. Nearly double the number of media credentials, 435, were issued to reporters and film crews who remained at a distance from the service and behind barricades.

Maria Martinez, 25, a fan from Riverside, Calif., who was joined by a dozen other Jackson admirers at a gas station near the security perimeter, gave a handful of pink flowers to a man with an invitation driving into the funeral.

"Can you please put these flowers on his grave?" she told him. Martinez said she picked them from a nearby park. "They were small and ugly, but I did that with my heart. I`m not going to be able to get close, so this is as close as I could get to him."

The man consented, adding, "God bless."

Glendale police said all was going smoothly early in the evening and there were no arrests.

Michael Jackson will share eternity at Forest Lawn with the likes of Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and W.C. Fields, entombed alongside them in the mausoleum that will be all but off-limits to adoring fans who might otherwise turn the pop star`s grave into a shrine.

After the burial, the closest the public will be able to get to Jackson`s vault is a portion of the mausoleum that displays "The Last Supper Window," a life-size stained-glass re-creation of Leonardo da Vinci`s masterpiece. Several 10-minute presentations about the window are held regularly 365 days a year, but most of the building is restricted.

Lisa Burk, who blogs about celebrity graves at http://www.gravehunting.com, said the Jackson family chose well for his final resting place if it was privacy they were after.

"It`s impossible to get in there," Burk said. "It was before, and it will be worse now."

By late afternoon Thursday, media tents had cropped up all along the boulevard across from the wrought-iron gates that serve as the main entrance to Forest Lawn. That vantage point offered no view of any mausoleum — just a fountain and a building containing the gift shop.

The Jackson family had booked an Italian restaurant in Pasadena for a gathering Thursday night, said Alex Carr, assistant operations manager at Villa Sorriso, in the city`s Old Town district. She wouldn`t specify the menu or number of people, but said the entire restaurant, which can accommodate 200 guests, had been reserved for the event and that security would be present.

The ceremony ends months of speculation that the singer`s body would be buried at Neverland Ranch, in part to make the property a Graceland-style attraction. An amended copy of Jackson`s death certificate was filed Thursday in Los Angeles County to reflect Forest Lawn as his final resting place.

In court on Wednesday, it was disclosed that 12 burial spaces were being purchased by Jackson`s estate at Forest Lawn Glendale, about eight miles north of downtown Los Angeles, but no details were offered on how they would be used.

The King of Pop died a drug-induced death June 25 at age 50 as he was about to embark on a comeback attempt. The coroner`s office has labeled the death a homicide, and Jackson`s death certificate lists "injection by another" as the cause.

Dr Conrad Murray, Jackson`s personal physician, told detectives he gave the singer a series of sedatives and the powerful anesthetic propofol to help him sleep. But prosecutors are still investigating, and no charges have been filed.

Michael Jackson to be buried today

King of Pop Michael Jackson will be buried today evening.

The pop legend will be laid to rest at Holly Terrace Grand Mausoleum in Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park, five miles from Hollywood.

The private funeral ceremony is scheduled to start at 7pm, reports a news daily.

However, his fans will not get to view it, as cameras will be banned from the 45-minute service limited to close friends and family.

The late singer’s friend Diana Ross and Motown label founder Berry Gordy will be present apart from the family.

Aretha Franklin will attend too as she’ll sing at the graveside.

Jackson’s coffin will be encased in thick concrete to protect it from grave robbers.

His estate, controlled by two former advisers, will bear the expenses of the funeral ceremony.

Meanwhile, prosecutors have amended Jackson’e death certificate to call it a homicide.

The wording is he died from “intravenous injection by another”.

Jackson estate to pay for `extraordinary` burial costs

The estate of late pop king Michael Jackson has been asked to bear the costs of his planned funeral Thursday.The singer, who died in June from an overdose of the hospital anaesthetic propofol, is due to be buried at the historic Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Los Angeles suburb of Glendale. He will be laid to rest in the cemetery`s Grand Mausoleum, which features flowers, statues and stained glass windows, alongside other stars such as Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard and Clark Gable.

Along with Jackson`s family, entertainment figures including Diana Ross, Brooke Shields and Larry King are expected to attend the no-expenses spared funeral that will even feature Jackson`s favourite donuts flown in specially from Connecticut.

Probate Judge Mitchell Beckloff approved the payment at a hearing this morning in downtown Los Angeles, after an attorney for the estate`s administrators, John Branca and John McClain, assured him that the estate has enough cash to cover the expenses and that paying for the funeral will not affect its solvency.

"The expenses are extraordinary; however, Michael Jackson is extraordinary," said attorney Jeryll Cohen, who told the judge the administrators did not object to the expenses. "They may not be appropriate for an ordinary person, but Michael Jackson was not ordinary."

Jackson death certificate reflects homicide ruling

Michael Jackson`s death certificate has been amended to reflect his cause of death as a homicide, specifying "injection by another" as the fatal injury.

The designation was not a surprise — coroner`s officials said last week that they believed Jackson`s death on June 25 was a homicide.

Investigators have said a mix of the powerful anesthetic propofol and another sedative killed the pop singer. The new record lists "acute propofol intoxication" as the main cause of death and "benzodiazepine effect" as another significant contributor.

The public copy of Jackson`s death certificate has not been changed to reflect his permanent resting place. Jackson is scheduled to be interred on Thursday evening at Forest Lawn Glendale.

The document does not mention Dr. Conrad Murray, who was Jackson`s personal physician. He told detectives that he gave the singer a series of sedatives and propofol to try to help him sleep.

The coroner`s determination of homicide makes it easier for prosecutors to seek criminal charges, but does not necessarily mean a crime was committed. Authorities investigating the singer`s death have served search warrants in at least three states, California, Nevada and Texas.

No criminal charges have been filed over Jackson`s death.

Family wants justice, insists MJ’s dad

Michael Jackson’s father Joe in his first public statement after the singer’s death was declared a homicide, has demanded justice.

The senior Jackson’s statement comes after the Los Angeles` County Coroner declared that the King of Pop was killed by a cocktail of strong prescription drugs – Propofol and Lorazepam.

The corner’s ruling could put MJ’s physician Dr Conrad Murray in a tight spot.

However, Joe has refused to say anything about the role of the doc.

The Daily Star quoted him as telling US TV`s the Today show: "I keep thinking, I just cant believe this happened to him... I`m not angry, I`m mad. I`m mad because I didn`t know all of this was going on, that`s what I`m mad about. I didn`t know he was taking that type of medication. They (the family) want justice to be done and that`s what is being done. I don`t know (if that means criminal charges).

"It`s the first time I`ve ever heard of the drug. That tells me that was foul play, that`s what it tells me and (there is) more to be investigated to see what was behind all of this stuff, not just Dr. Conrad Murray. Someone should pay. Not just someone, but all of them should pay that`s (sic) involved. I didn`t say doctors - everybody else that`s involved."

The complete autopsy report of the pop icon - who died on June 25 - has not been released.

MJ’s heart attack was kept secret for 3hrs after his death, says pal

The fact that Michael Jackson had suffered a heart attack was kept secret for as long as three hours to cover-up the real cause of his death, says a friend of the late superstar.

Dr Steven Hoefflin, a friend of the singer, revealed the latest twist after speaking to medics involved in Jackson’s case.

“They say he had lividity, which means his blood had already sunk to the back of his body. This indicates Michael’s heart had stopped hours earlier,” the Mirror quoted him as saying.

It is also believed that the late King of Pop’s dead body was then moved to his bedroom so that the police would think that he killed himself with a fatal dose of the drug Propofol.

According to reports, experts at the coroner’s office believe that Jackson was moved after his heart attack, as they discovered disruptions in the pattern of “livor mortis” on his body.

Purple marks on his body show where blood has settled in a lifeless body, which usually takes at least five hours to become apparent.

Forensic pathologist Dr Cyril Wecht, not involved in the Jackson case, said: “If someone carried the body from one room to another, the livor would be ‘broken’ where contact with the body was made. If one person held his ankles and the other held him under his arms, there would be corresponding white interruptions of livor mortis in those spots.”

Retired FBI special agent Ted Gunderson, who has independently monitored the case, said that the new evidence pointed to a “massive cover-up” by Dr Conrad Murray, the late King of Pop’s personal doctor.

It may be recalled that the coroner has ruled that the ‘Thriller’ hit-maker was a victim of homicide after the strong sedative caused his cardiac arrest, and that investigators are probing whether Dr Murray had any role in his death.

Gunderson asked: “Did Murray try to fool people into thinking Jackson died on the way to hospital in the hope an autopsy could be avoided? If so, it didn’t work, which is why he had to confess to administering Propofol.”

Meanwhile, Murray, 56, has denied mistreating Jackson.

MJ honoured with Walk of Fame star in Las Vegas

Michael Jackson has been honoured with a star on the Palms Casino`s Walk of Fame in Las Vegas.

The singer received the tribute on what would have been his 51st birthday on August 29.

His father Joseph took the place of the King of Pop in accepting the honour.

"I wish he was here to see this take place," Contactmusic quoted Joseph as saying.

Jackson died from a cardiac arrest at his Los Angeles mansion on June 25.

The LA County coroner has officially ruled his death homicide.

Jackson`s coffin to be encased in concrete: Brother

Michael Jackson`s 18,000 pound gold-plated casket will be encased in solid concrete to keep it safe from robbers and fanatic fans, his brother Marlon has revealed.

The coffin will be encased in deep concrete to ward off grave robbers and ghouls when it is finally entered at the exclusive Holly Terrace Grand Mausoleum at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park on Thursday, alongside Hollywood legends like Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable.

Jackson`s children – Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7, have written "Daddy we love you, we miss you" on notes which will be placed in the coffin alongwith his trademark single white glove, a news website reported.

"This will be Michael`s final curtain call, the last show. His shell will be gone but his spirit lives on," 52-year-old Marlon said.

The private 45-minute ceremony will be attended by family and close friends including soul legend Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross and Motown record label founder Berry Gordy.

Jackson would have turned 51 on August 29. The pop star was initially to be buried on his birthday but Marlon said the ceremony was moved because of his mother Katherine.

"I wanted to lay him to rest on the day the Lord created him. But my mother really didn`t want to bury him on that day," he said.

Jackson`s death on June 25 has been ruled as homicide by the LA county coroner.

MJ kids ‘to join Beckham boys at school’

Michael Jackson`s children will join Beckham boys to step into classrooms for the first time in their lives, it has emerged.

All of Jackson’s three children were home-tutored when he was alive.

However, their grandmother and legal guardian Katherine Jackson’s wants them to join other kids of their age and believes this will help 12-year-old Prince Michael, one year junior Paris and Prince Michael II aged seven.

A news daily quoted a family friend as saying: “It’s going to be a culture shock for all three kids at first. But all of Michael’s brothers and sisters agree with Katherine that it’s time they stepped out into the real world.

The King of Pop had once made plans of opening up his own school for his children, as he feared they would be “treated like freaks” in other schools but the plan could never materialize.

MJ’s children will attend the same 30,000dollar-a-year private school attended by the Brooklyn and Romeo Beckham. The Beckham’s third son, the fopur-year-old Cruz, is expected to join the school’s nursery soon.

The Jackson family friend said, “It is one of the most secure and security-conscious schools in America,” and rubbished all talks of the terrifying prospects of the school to Jackson’s protected children by calling them “totally unfounded”.

MJ’s skin doctor admits he could be Prince, Paris` dad

Michael Jackson’s skin doctor has refused to undergo DNA test to confirm if he fathered the star`s two oldest kids, insisting he`s "well aware" he could be the dad.

Dr Arnold Klein fuelled rumours he`s the biological father of Prince,12, and Paris, 11, when he appeared on TV in the aftermath of Jackson`s 25 June (09) death, and claimed he wasn`t their dad "to the best of my knowledge".

Klein fuelled the rumours when he turned up unannounced at a guardianship hearing, where the ‘Thriller’ hitmaker’s mother Katherine was awarded custody of the kids.

Although he admitted he could well be the father, Klein says he has no interest in finding out for sure.

"There was a possibility that the two older kids could be biologically linked to Dr Klein," the Daily Express quoted Klein`s lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan as telling UsMagazine.com.

While talking about Klein’s appearance at the custody hearing, the attorney reveals, "Dr Klein wanted to assert a request that he had concerns.

"He had an agreement with Michael Jackson that if anything happened to Michael Jackson... Dr Klein would do what he could to see that they were protected."

The lawyer reveals his client is refusing to undergo a DNA test, insisting Jackson was their true father, and he has no interest in challenging the court`s decision to grant Katherine Jackson custody.

"It would serve no helpful purpose for the children to be distracted from believing Michael Jackson is not the father in every possibility... It is not something Dr Klein feels he is interested to establish,” said Kaplan.

"It would serve no purpose other than creating distraction or noise. It is not going to help the children, other than to solve the answered question, which is a selfish motive to see who the ultimate provider of the 13 chromosomes (is)," he added.

``Only 3 detectives are investigating MJ`s death``

The reason behind Michael Jackson`s death case taking so long is that it is being investigated by only three detectives, sources say.

"There are only three detectives from LAPD`s homicide division assigned to the case," the Sun quoted a source as saying.

The insider added: "This is one of the reasons the investigation is ongoing."

In fact the overworked cops have remained so busy that they have not yet interviewed security officer Alberto Alvarez, who made the 911 call as the star lay dying.

Also the icon`s chief of staff Michael Amir has not been questioned.

Lawyer Carl Douglas, who represents both, said: "We arranged two occasions for investigators to meet my clients.

"The first meeting was rescheduled. The second I had to call them to inquire about the detectives` absence."

Jackson family told cops about drugs: Warrant

Police who searched Michael Jackson`s home the day after he died were acting on information from family members who said they`d found a bag of heroin in his bedroom, but a person with knowledge of subsequent test results on the substance said it turned out not to be the drug.

The search did, however, turn up a number of other drugs including marijuana, the generic form of Valium and other sedatives. A detective also indicated Jackson`s body showed signs of injections.

The disclosure came in an affidavit supporting a search warrant that was executed June 26, three days earlier than any previously reported search of Jackson`s rented mansion in Bel-Air.

Two warrants came to light Thursday after several media outlets including The Associated Press asked to unseal four search warrants Los Angeles police detectives served in the early days of the Jackson death probe. The judge ordered two of the documents to remain sealed.

The unsealed warrants provide a glimpse into how police were directing their investigation immediately after Jackson`s death. The warrant served at his rented Bel-Air mansion the day after he died lists "PC 187," the California penal code for murder, in the box labeled "probable crime."

That warrant states family members told a coroner`s official "they had located a quantity of tar heroin in a bag in the decedent`s bedroom," though the person with knowledge of tests on the substance said heroin was quickly ruled out. The person was not authorized to speak to the media and asked for anonymity.

Detectives also secured a search warrant for the car of Dr. Conrad Murray, the personal physician with Jackson when he died. The affidavit states detectives spoke to Murray in the hospital after the singer`s death but he only gave a short summary of what had happened then left the hospital over detectives` objections.

In the intervening two months, investigators have pieced together a much fuller picture of how Jackson died and Murray has emerged as the central figure in a manslaughter probe. Investigators believe he was negligent in administering the powerful anesthetic propofol and other sedatives to Jackson and that those drugs killed the singer.

Murray`s attorney Edward Chernoff has said Murray never administered anything that "should have" killed Jackson. The coroner has not officially released autopsy results but a law enforcement official who requested anonymity because the investigation is ongoing told the AP the death has been ruled a homicide.

The search of Murray`s car turned up some documents, but no additional drugs.

Also Thursday, an attorney for Jackson`s longtime dermatologist does not plan to petition for a role in the upbringing of the singer`s three children. Mark Vincent Kaplan said Dr. Arnold Klein is satisfied that a judge appointed an attorney to oversee their interests.

Kaplan surprised many by saying Klein wanted a role in the children`s lives during a court hearing earlier this month. Jackson`s mother, Katherine Jackson, was granted permanent guardianship of the children at the hearing, and a judge ruled that Klein didn`t have legal standing to intervene, but told the doctor he could file a motion later if he still had concerns.

Kaplan said Klein got involved because he was concerned about the children having a normal upbringing not related to show business. Jackson told Klein repeatedly that he wanted his children to have a formal education and not be subjected to the rigors of traveling and performing, Kaplan said.

Klein`s involvement in the case raised questions about the whether the doctor could be the father of Jackson`s two oldest children, a rumor fueled by tabloid reports and Klein`s own cryptic answers when questioned on the matter.

MJ`s waxwork to be unveiled at Tussauds

King of Pop Michael Jackson`s waxwork is to be unveiled at Hollywood`s new Madame Tussauds.

The figure was made in London to mark the debut of his comeback concert "This Is It" and features the pop star wearing clothes identical to what he was planning to wear on stage for the shows, reported contactmusic.com.

The USD 300,000 waxwork was put on ice following Jackson`s death so that it could be unveiled in Los Angeles in time for the singer`s 51st birthday Saturday.

Jackson died at his Los Angeles residence June 25.

MJ’s another ‘lovechild’ claims he’s not motivated by money

A lawyer for the 24-year-old man who claims to be Michael Jackson’s lovechild has said his client is not interested in the singer’s money.

The man named Prince Michael Malachi Jet Jackson has filed a claim in Los Angeles, and maintains that the late Jackson was his father.

He has even submitted a birth certificate naming Michael Joseph Jackson and Zerline LaVette Dixon as his parents.

Malachi Jet Jackson’s lawyer LeRue Grim said the boy’s grandmother brought him up after his mother became a drug addict.

The boy’s mother, Dixon was allegedly a fashion designer in the 1980s working for a clothing line under the company name of Michael Jackson.

Lawyer Grim believes Malachi Jet Jackson is not after MJ’s money but simply wants the recognition of his parentage.

Contactmusic quoted Grim as telling RadarOnline.com, "Malachi has been told his entire life that he is Michael Jackson`s son. His primary goal is to have closure on whether or not Michael was his father, and he wants a DNA test to prove it. Malachi`s primary motivation isn`t money.

"Malachi looks exactly like Michael Jackson. I`m seeking a DNA test and I`m very concerned that it be reliable and that no one slips in DNA from a stranger. Malachi never met Michael, from what I understand Michael was very private about his personal life."

According to court documents in TMZ.com’s possession, Malachi Jet Jackson was pressurised by MJ’s family to hide his real identity, thus he has come out in the open only after the pop icon’s death.

Jackson`s two employees hold vital clues: attorney

Two employees of Michael Jackson, one of whom was with the pop star in his last moments, can throw important light on his death, their attorney said here Tuesday.

Attorney Carl Douglas, who was on the defence team of star footballer O.J. Simpson during his trial in 1993 in the murder of his wife Nicole Simpson, said the two employees were willing to provide information to police.

He said the Los Angeles police department (LAPD) has done only `informal` interviews with the employees and should talk to them in detail, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Michael Amir, Jackson`s chief of staff, and Alberto Alvarez, a security staffer, were interviewed by police June 25, the day Jackson died.

The attorney said the two men could shed new light on not only Jackson`s final hours but also the actions of the pop star`s doctor.

"We arranged two separate occasions for LAPD investigators to meet with my clients. My clients came early wearing suits and ties. The first meeting was cancelled and rescheduled. The second meeting I had to call them to inquire about the (detectives`) absence," the attorney was quoted as saying.

Douglas said Alvarez was with Jackson and his doctor Conrad Murray in the pop star`s bedroom in the critical moments before paramedics arrived, the Los Angeles Times quoted him as saying.

He said Alvarez could provide useful information that would confirm or contradict Dr Murray`s version of events and provide independent insight into what transpired.

In their report Monday, police said Murray gave Jackson the powerful anesthetic Propofol at 10.40 a.m., watched him for 10 minutes and went to the restroom for two minutes.

When he returned at about 11 a.m., Murray found that Jackson had stopped breathing.

Police said three phone calls of 47 minutes were made from Murray`s phone, beginning at 11.18 a.m. The police (911) were called only at 12.22 p.m.

The `King of Pop` died just days before he was to begin his comeback concert tour "This Is It".

MJ’s daughter Paris’ cut hair seized by minders to avoid DNA tests

After late King of Pop Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris had her hair cut, her minders are said to have seized the cuttings immediately to prevent DNA tests on them.

The incident took place after Paris, 11, had her hair trimmed at a salon in Las Vegas on August 23, reports the Sun.

Her locks were swept from the floor as soon as she had her hair cut, and stored in plastic bags to stop anyone taking them.

If DNA tests were carried out, they could settle speculation as to whether Jacko was the biological dad of Paris and her brothers Michael, 12, and Blanket, seven.

The star is alleged to have used sperm and eggs donated by pals, with former actor Mark Lester saying he is Paris’ real dad.

MJ pleaded for drugs from his doctor, shows affidavit

Even though late King of Pop Michael Jackson’s death has been ruled as a homicide by the LA County coroner, an affidavit has revealed new details about actions of the singer’s doctor.

According to a search warrant affidavit released on August 24, Jackson pleaded with his doctor to give him more sedatives to cure his insomnia prior to his death, reports CBS News.

Jackson made “repeated demands/requests” for propofol, which the singer called his “milk”, the affidavit stated.

Dr Conrad Murray, Jackson’s cardiologist, administered 25 milligrams of the white-coloured liquid, a relatively small dose, and the singer finally fell asleep.

Murray told investigators that, at the time of Jacko’s death, he had been trying to wean the star off propofol, and that he’d been treating Jackson for insomnia for about six weeks with 50 milligrams of the drug every night via an intravenous drip.

The affidavit unsealed in Houston, where Los Angeles police took materials from one of Murray’s clinics last month as part of their manslaughter investigation, includes a detailed account of what detectives say Murray told them.

The LA County Coroner’s office will rule Jacko’s death as a homicide based on forensic tests, though the findings have not been publicly released.

“The coroner’s finding doesn’t mean we are going to see a homicide, as opposed to manslaughter case against anyone,” said a CBS News legal analyst.

“The examiner’s office doesn’t distinguish between legal terms ‘manslaughter’ and ‘homicide’,” the analyst added.

`Thriller` co-star becomes Jackson creditor

Court records show Michael Jackson`s love interest in the 'Thriller' video, Ola Ray, is now a creditor to the King of Pop`s estate.

Ray`s attorney filed paperwork in Los Angeles last week stating she is a creditor to the singer`s estate and is owed an undetermined amount of money.

The actress sued Jackson in April, claiming he had failed to pay her royalties that she was due from the `Thriller` video for the past four years.

That suit, and two others filed by `Thriller` director John Landis, remain unresolved. One of Landis` lawsuits claimed he also hadn`t been paid royalties on the `Thriller` video for several years.