Michael Jackson Autopsy Results Indefinitely Delayed
As investigators try to piece together the relationship between Dr. Conrad Murray and other medical professionals in the death of an icon, the L.A. County coroner’s office indefinitely delayed the release of Michael Jackson’s autopsy results.
A meeting between officials from the D.A.’s office, the LAPD and the coroner’s office to discuss progress in the case resulted in Chief Ed Winter of the coroner’s office saying … he could not say when the cause of death would be announced.
“I have no idea,” Winter said.
A law enforcement source familiar with the investigation said the coroner’s staff asked for a delay but that there are no disagreements in theprobe over the interpretation of evidence, including toxicology tests, or the direction of the inquiry.
Law enforcement officials initially said the toxicology results, which are expected to make clear what killed Michael Jackson, would be made public this week.
The delay comes as investigators hunt for evidence of communication between Jackson’s personal physician, Conrad Murray, and other health practitioners.
Warrants for searches conducted this week on Murray’s Las Vegas properties authorized federal drug agents and LAPD detectives to seize e-mails, letters and notes between the cardiologist, Jackson and Beverly Hills dermatologist Arnold Klein.
Also seized was correspondence with:
- Hollywood rheumatologist Allan Metzger
- Los Angeles nurse Cherilyn Lee
- Las Vegas dentist Mark Tadrissi
- Beverly Hills anesthesiologist Randy Rosen
- NYC ear-nose-and-throat specialist David Slavit
Jackson was a past patient of Rosen. Arnold Klein, Metzger and Lee bad been treating Jackson at the time of his death. Lee has said Jackson’s asked her in April for Propofol, the potent anesthetic law enforcement sources said was found in his home.
Slavit was chosen by an insurance company to give Michael Jackson a physical so promoter AEG Live could get coverage for the singer’s comeback concerts.
Jackson’s relationship to Tadrissi is not known.
In an interview Thursday, an attorney for Allan Metzger said Jackson also approached the physician in April about getting Propofol to help him with insomnia.
“Dr. Metzger told him it was dangerous, potentially life-threatening and should not be taken outside the hospital,” lawyer Harland Braun said. “[Allan Metzger] instead prescribed Jackson small amounts of two sleep aids.”
He said Metzger, who has turned over his files to the coroner’s office, never consulted with Dr. Conrad Murray and “stands ready to talk to authorities.”
The investigators who combed through Murray’s properties Wednesday were also searching for information about Propofol. The search warrant filed in Las Vegas authorized them to seize shipping, purchase and delivery records for the drug.
It was unclear from inventories of the searches if authorities recovered any material in Murray’s office or home related to other medical professionals or to Propofol.
His lawyer said the cardiologist did not consult with any of the other providers.
“Dr. Murray doesn’t have any professional or personal association with any of the doctors listed in that search warrant,” said attorney Edward Chernoff.
Dr. Conrad Murray was performing CPR on Jackson when paramedics arrived at the performer’s home June 25. Murray has said through his attorney that he didn’t administer anything to him that “should have” caused the death of Jackson.
