Sports & Celebrity Newswire

Michael Jackson

Los Angeles, CA – Michael Jackson died yesterday of an apparent cardiac arrest. Paramedics and doctors at UCLA trauma unit tried to revive Michael, but it was too late. He was not breathing and there was no pulse. Jackson was pronounced dead at the age of 50 on Thursday June 25, 2009 at 2.26 PM (PST)

What is Cardiac Arrest?

Cardiac arrest is an abrupt cessation of pump function (evidenced by absence of a palpable pulse) of the heart that with prompt intervention could be reversed, but without it will lead to death. However, due to inadequate cerebral perfusion, the patient will be unconscious and will have stopped breathing. The main diagnostic criterion to diagnose a cardiac arrest is lack of circulation, however there are a number of ways of determining this.

The cause of death is unknown but there is speculation that he may have accidentally overdosed on painkillers. Jackson had a history of back pain and other ailments.

The autopsy will be performed today, but some results such as toxicoloy reports may take several days or weeks for results.

The Los Angeles coroner will examine Michael Jackson to determine the cause of death.

An autopsy is planned. Watch video.

Did the painkiller Demerol cause Jacksons cardiac arrest?

There is growing speculation today that the catastrophic cardiac arrest was triggered by an injection of the painkiller Demerol. Those close to the star believe it is an addiction to prescription drugs as he prepared for the gigs in London that killed him.

‘Michael had broken a vertebrae performing and he had broken his leg in a fall from the stage. I don’t know the extent of the medications he was using but the reports that we have been receiving in the family were that it was extensive,’ said a source.

One Jackson family source said he was ‘just not able to pick himself up out of the painkiller stupor’ that he was in. He had been ‘doped up to his eyes’ for several weeks with anti-pain prescriptions… and [painkillers] had taken over his life.

One side effect of painliller abuse is a cardiac arrest.

PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency is a top celebrity booking agent for entertainers, sports stars and celebrities.