Pop star Michael Jackson has died after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest. Photo / AP
Pop star Michael Jackson has died in Los Angeles at the age of 50, after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest.
We'll be giving you constant updates on this blog as the story develops. Keep refreshing this page for updates.
Michael Jackson - legend singer, songwriter and dancer. Rest in peace.
5:26pm
-
Frank DiLeo
, Jackson's manager and friend of 30 years, says he was with the singer at the UCLA hospital after he was admitted. He tells the
Los Angeles Times
:
"I got to kiss him and tell him goodbye," he said. "I lost a very dear friend. Someone who I admired, someone who was the greatest talent I ever met or worked with."
During a tour rehearsal the night before he died, DiLeo said that Jackson was looking forward to his comeback concerts.
"He just told me how happy he was and that things were finally working out the way he wanted," he said.
Asked what he thought had caused the singer's death, he said he did not know.
"We don't know. That will be for the coroner to say," he said.
5:10pm
- The chairman of Sony Corportation (Jackson's record label)
Sir Howard Stringer
has commeneted on Jackson's passing: "Michael Jackson was a brilliant troubadour for his generation, a genius whose music reflected the passion and creativity of an era. His artistry and magnetism changed the music landscape forever.
"We have been profoundly affected by his originality, creativity and amazing body of work. The entire Sony family extends our deepest condolences to his family and to the millions of fans around the world who loved him."
4:49pm
- Jackson's ex wife
Lisa Marie Presley
(who was married to the singer from 1994 - 1996) says: "I am completely shocked and saddened by Michael's death. My heart goes out to his children and his family."
Martin Scorsese
(who directed Jackson in the
Bad
video) says:
"Michael Jackson was extraordinary. When we worked together on
Bad
, I was in awe of his absolute mastery of movement on the one hand, and of the music on the other.
"Every step he took was absolutely precise and fluid at the same time. It was like watching quicksilver in motion. He was wonderful to work with, an absolute professional at all times, and - it really goes without saying - a true artist. It will be a while before I can get used to the idea that he's no longer with us."
Steven Spielberg
: "Just as there will never be another
Fred Astaire
or
Chuck Berry
or
Elvis Presley
, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson. His talent, his wonderment and his mystery make him legend."
3:41pm
- Jackson's friend
Uri Geller
suspects that stress may have led to the singer's cardiac arrest. He told Sky News:
"He was in good shape. ... I'm not a doctor, but I can only assume he was under immense stresses and pressures, and you can ask any doctor, stress is a killer," he said.
"The pressure of these concerts, putting under huge pressures, he was a perfectionist. That could have been what did it. But that's just my opinion."
"I think it was a mistake to target 50 shows. 3, 4, 5 maybe 10 shows is enough," said Geller.
3:21pm
- Jackson's ex-wife,
Debbie Rowe
, has said through her lawyer she is "inconsolable" at the news of Jackson's death, reports the
New York Daily News
.
3:21pm
-
Justin Timberlake
has just spoken to TMZ about the singer's death:
"I can't find the words right now to express how deeply sadden [sic] I am by Michael's passing. We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only Pop music, but of all music. He has been an inspiration to multiple generations and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones."
3:00pm
- Jackson's close friend
Elizabeth Taylor
has said she is "too devastated" to comment on his death.
A statement on her behalf said: "Dame Elizabeth Taylor is too devastated by the passing of her dear friend Michael Jackson to issue a statement at this time.
"We will direct her words to you once we receive them."
2:51pm
Fan reaction. Fans across the globe react to news of Jackson's death. Share your comments with us
2:35pm
- Michael Jackson's mother
Katherine
has been photographed arriving at UCLA, says
While
The Sun
documents the star's final moments, including
1:50pm
-
that Jackson's body has been airlifted to the L.A. County Coroner's Office, where an autopsy will be performed later.
1:34pm
- Jackson's brother
Jermaine
has spoken to the media on behalf of the family, and reveals that the medical team at UCLA tried to resuscitate Jackson for over an hour.
"My brother Michael Joseph Jackson passed away on Thursday June 25 at 2.26pm
"He suffered cardiac arrest at his home. However cause of death is unknown until the results of a post mortem.
"His personal physician, who was with him at the time, attempted to resuscitate my brother, as did the paramedics as they transported him to Ronald Raegan Medical Center in Los Angeles.
"Upon arrival at approximately 1.14pm a team of doctors including emergency physicians and cardiologists attempted to resuscitate him for a period more than hour - they were unsuccessful.
"Our family asks that the media respect our privacy at this tough time."
"May our love be with you Michael always. We love you."
1.26pm
- Michael Jackson's time of death has been confirmed as 2.26pm local time (9.26am NZT).
CNN reports that the singer's rigorous rehearsals for his 50-date residency in London had demonstrated the star was in a frail condition.
Concert promoters AEG Live said in an interview last month that a medical screening of Jackson uncovered "no issues whatsoever."
Screeners "declared him healthy," a spokesperson said. "His cholesterol level is better than mine."
1:17pm
- Pop icon
Madonna
has commented on Jackson's death. Speaking to people.com, she said: "I can't stop crying over the sad news." She added, "I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless."
1:04pm
- A New Zealand impersonator of Michael Jackson is "gutted" and "shocked" by the news of Michael Jackson's death.
Jason Shaw was Pepsi's official impersonator during the "Bad" period and attracted a crowd of thousands to Auckland's Aotea Square.
"There's going to be a big gap to fill," Mr Shaw said.
He said he has not impersonated the King of Pop for 10 years after putting on a bit of weight.
"It's all muscle," Mr Shaw said, "well, that's what I tell myself anyway".
"I knew he wasn't well but he was only 50, he's 15 years older than me," Mr Shaw said.
He said he has the "Bad" costume which included the leather jacket, white t-shirt and buckle jeans.
"I used to watch the videos and pause it and freeze frame it to watch all the moves," Mr Shaw said.
12:57
reports that an autopsy is likely to occur on Jackson's body tomorrow (Friday local time) and that Jackson's official cause of death could be announced on Friday (Saturday NZT).
12:49
- Scores of journalists are now camped outside the UCLA waiting for a news conference chaired by hospital officials to begin.
Listen to audio from the conference here.
12:22
- Tributes have flooded in for pop star Michael Jackson.
Music Producer
Quincy Jones
:
"I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. He had it all - talent, grace, professionalism and dedication.
"I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."
Celebrities have also taken to Twitter to pay their respects:
MC Hammer:
"I have no words.. I loved Michael Jackson.. RIP.."
Lindsay Lohan
: "NO OMG ... sending my love and prayers out to Michael and his family ... i feel sick."
Pete Wentz
: "Prayers and thoughts with michael jackson ... I haven't hope in so long that news isn't true."
Martha Stewart
: "i am waiting to see if the rumors are true about michael jackson if he has indeed died i am very sorry i am also very saddened about FF"
Ashton Kutcher
and wife
Demi Moore
: "RIP. Sending love and light to family and friend but especially his kids."
Singer
Peter Andre
: "Michael Jackson dying is absolutely devastating. I am totally shocked. MJ, you're the best."
Musician
John Mayer
: "Dazed in the studio. A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ."
Jackson's Wikipedia entry has already been updated by users. It said he suffered a cardiac arrest and then stopped breathing en route to the hosital.
Youtube.com has dedicated the spotlight on its homepage to Michael Jackson as a tribute.
The spotlight links to Jackson's official Youtube channel and a number of his chart topping music videos. The music video for 1984 hit
Thriller
has clocked over 37 million views.
Jackson's channel can be found
.
And a Jackson fan has loaded a moving tribute to the dead star on YouTube, complete with a beautiful version of superhit
Ain't no Sunshine
as a soundtrack:
Hundreds of fans have gathered outside the star's Los Angeles home to pay their respects. Many have also left flowers and notes outside the UCLA Medical Centre where he was pronounced dead.
A fan outside the star's home told
The Sun
: "It's testament to how adored he was and how universal his appeal was that tour buses started turning up pretty soon after we heard the news."
12:22
- Jackson's close friend
Uri Geller
has spoken to Sky News about the star's passing: "I must hear it from a doctor. I cannot believe everything I see and read and hear at the moment. I hope its not true, I'm waiting like you are, like the whole planet is waiting to hear it from the mouth of the doctor taking care of him."
"I'm absolutely devestated and shocked. He was a young man terribly fit and basically in good shape. If it is true I am just in total shock."
11:59 -
A police investigation has reportedly been opened to determine the star's cause of death. The L.A. County coroner's office will determine a cause of death, according to the
Los Angeles Times
. The coroner stresses that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing.
A doctor was reportedly at the star's home and performed CPR on Jackson, a source tells the
Times
.
11:26 -
A large crowd has gathered outside the UCLA Medical Centre and security guards have been posted at every entrance to keep fans at bay.
News of the singer's death has sent the internet into meltdown. There are reports that websites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and AIM crashed as soon as news broke of the singer's passing. Several news websites, while still live, have also buckled under the sheer volume of traffic.
11:25
- CNN is reporting that Jackson's brother
Randy
told them the singer collapsed in his home. The Jackson brothers and sisters are said to be either inside the hospital or en route to Los Angeles.
Music producer supremo
Quincy Jones
has just read a statement on MSNBC saying: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news.
"He had it all - talent, grace, professionalism and dedication.
"I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."
A Jackson family lawyer, Brian Oxman, has told CNN: "I can only tell you that the family members are crying and I just have not been able to confirm anything, other than to hug them and tell them that I love them."
10:58
- TMZ.com is now streaming live audio from a press conference due to be held outside the UCLA hospital.
Click here to listen
.
Jackson's hit
Thriller
is apparently being played loudly by some of the students from their balconies.
The
Los Angeles Times
reports that Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors on Thursday (7.21am Friday, NZT) after arriving at the hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told the newspaper.
"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," Fire Captain Steve Ruda told
The Times
.
A paparazzi on the scene at the hospital tells celebrity news website X17.com: "There were more than 10 bodyguards or members of Michael's entourage that arrived at the hospital just after 1 pm, after following the ambulance there. They all got out of the SUVs in a panic and Michael was wheeled into the emergency room on a stretcher. There was definitely a sense of urgency and everyone looked worried."
10:42
- Although there has been no official confirmation of the singer's death from his spokesperson, media reports say Michael Jackson has died after suffering a fatal heart attack. He was 50.
The singer reportedly went into cardiac arrest at his Beverly Hills home.
Jackson was rushed to the UCLA Medical Center, but medical staff were unable to revive him.
Family members rushed to the Los Angeles hospital after they were notified of the star's medical emergency. His sister,
LaToya Jackson
, was seen entering the facility.
Jackson was due to perform at a string of comeback performances in London on July 13, running until March 2010.
10:00
- According to celebrity news website TMZ.com, the singer was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after suffering a heart attack.
The singer's father, Joe Jackson , spoke to E! News and said that he was told about his son's medical emergency, but said he did not have any details about his condition.
"I am in Las Vegas but yes people in Los Angeles called me and are with Michael and tell me he was taken to the hospital," he said. "His mother is on her way to the hospital now to check in on him. "I am not sure what's wrong. I am waiting to hear back from them," he adds.
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