Death of Michael Jackson

The death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, occurred when Jackson reportedly collapsed, one hour after receiving an injection of pethidine, known as Demorol, a painkiller he had allegedly been addicted to for 20 years, according to ABC News. The death of Michael Jackson triggered an outpouring of grief from fans around the world, slowing down internet traffic and causing his album sales to soar.

Jackson had been scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts to over one million people at London's O2 arena, from July 13, 2009, to March 6, 2010, which he implied during a press conference would be the last concerts of his career.

Collapse

Jackson collapsed at a rented home on North Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles during the late morning or early afternoon of June 25 PDT. His personal physician was present and tried to resuscitate him. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics received a 911 call at 12:21 pm, and arrived nine minutes later, at which point Jackson was reportedly not breathing.

Paramedics are reported to have wanted to pronounce him dead at the scene, but Jackson's doctor insisted he be taken to hospital. CPR was performed on the way to the UCLA Medical Center, and for one hour after he arrived at the hospital at 1:14 pm (20:14 UTC), to no avail. He was pronounced dead at 2:26 pm (21:26 UTC).

911 tape

On June 26, the Los Angeles Fire Department released the recording of the 911 call:

Caller: Uh, I have a, we have a gentleman here that needs help and he stopped breathing. He’s not breathing and we need to - we’re trying to pump him but he’s not...

Dispatcher: OK, OK, how old is he?

Caller: He’s uh, 50 years old, sir.

Dispatcher: 50? OK. He’s unconscious? He’s not breathing?

Caller: Yes, he’s not breathing, sir.

Dispatcher: OK, and he’s not conscious either?

Caller: He’s not conscious, sir.

The dispatcher asks the caller to move Jackson from the bed to the floor, to begin CPR. The caller replies that a doctor is already there doing CPR.

Caller: Yes, we have a personal doctor here with him sir.

Dispatcher: Oh, you have a doctor there?

Caller: Yes, but he’s not responding to anything. No, he’s not responding to CPR or anything.

Dispatcher: Oh, OK. Well, we’re on our way there. If your guy’s doing CPR, or instructed by a doctor he’s a higher authority than me and he’s there on scene. Did anybody witness what happened?

Caller: Uh, no, just the doctor sir. The doctor’s been the only one here.

Dispatcher: OK, so did the doctor see what happened?

Caller: Um, doctor did you see what happened? (inaudible) He’s just, um, if you can please ...