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In a statement released Friday, the coroner said the cause of death was acute intoxication from the anesthetic propofol. Other sedatives contributed to the death, most notably lorazepam.
The coroner did not release Jackson's full autopsy report, citing an ongoing security hold at the request of Los Angeles authorities.
Dr. Conrad Murray, the pop star's personal physician, told police he gave Jackson propofol the morning of June 25 after a series of sedatives failed to help Jackson sleep. Murray is the target of what police term a manslaughter investigation.
Edward Chernoff, who represents Dr. Conrad Murray, says he's at a loss as to why the Los Angeles County coroner's office only released a brief summary of the results Friday, including that Jackson's death was a homicide and the cause was the powerful anesthetic propofol and another sedative.
Chernoff says he needs to know precisely what levels of various drugs were detected and said the failure to release the report seemed like "gamesmanship."
Chernoff says his client was truthful with investigators and the general findings made public support statements the doctor gave investigators after Jackson's death.
The 50-year-old Jackson died June 25 in Los Angeles.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RE: Coroner Case Number 2009-04415 – JACKSON, Michael Joseph
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner completed its investigation into the death of Michael Joseph Jackson, age 50, who died on June 25, 2009.
The cause of death was established as:
- ACUTE PROPOFOL INTOXICATION
- OTHER CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO DEATH: BENZODIAZEPINE EFFECT
The manner of death has been ruled: HOMICIDE
The drugs PROPOFOL and LORAZEPAM were found to be the primary drugs responsible for Mr. Jackson's death. Other drugs detected were: Midazolam, Diazepam, Lidocaine and Ephedrine.
The final Coroner's report, including the complete toxicology report will remain on Security Hold at the request of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney. In accordance with this request, the Department of Coroner will not comment on its completed investigation.
CRH - 08/27/2009
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