Binside TV: MICHAEL JACKSON DEAD KING OF POP DIES FROM HEART ATTACK AT 50 R.I.P

BRITAIN Michael Jackson

We are saddened, shocked and devastated by the tragic news that Michael Jackson died on Thursday at the age of 50. We will always remember and cherish Michael Jackson as a musical genius and hail him as the King of Pop. There will not be another talent who has done so much with his music. Michael Jackson changed the world. The King of Pop was planning to stage a comeback tour in July. Our condolences and prayers go to the Jackson family and to Michael Jackson's children who have lost their father. We hope that Michael can now rest in peace. Many celebrities have released statements including Madonna.

"I can't stop crying over the sad news. 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."

- Madonna

Jermaine Jackson Press Conference on Michael Jackson's Death

Michael Jackson's brother says it's believed that the pop star died of cardiac arrest.

Jermaine Jackson cautioned at a hospital press conference Thursday that the cause of his death would not be known until an autopsy was performed.

He said Michael Jackson's personal doctor and paramedics tried to resuscitate him at his rented home in Holmby Hills. A team of doctors at UCLA Medical Center also tried for more than an hour.

Los Angeles police Lt. Gregg Strenk said at a separate news conference that police robbery-homicide detectives have been ordered to investigate, which is common in a high-profile case. Strenk says the coroner's office, which will handle inquiries into the type of death, is taking possession of the body. [AP]

michael-jackson

Michael Jackson, the singer, has died after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest. He was 50.

Paramedics who responded to an emergency call to his home in Los Angeles said that he had stopped breathing by the time they arrived.

Sources at the UCLA Medical Centre said that the self-styled "King of Pop" did not come out of a coma and died.

Jackson's mother and other relatives had rushed to the singer's bedside at the hospital, while tearful fans gathered outside.

Earlier, the singer's father Joe said he had been told his son was "in a bad way". Other unnamed family members said that Jackson "was in really bad shape".

Jackson is widely credited with revolutionising pop music with albums including Bad and Thriller, but his career was tainted with allegations of child abuse.

He was due to perform a highly-anticipated 50-date "farewell" residency at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, south London, starting next month. Fears for his health emerged after he postponed the first dates.

Jackson lived as a virtual recluse following his 2005 acquittal on charges including child molestation and plotting to kidnap his young accuser. Despite his acquittal, the trial was a body blow from which the pop superstar struggled to recover.

Four years later, Jackson is still worshipped by fans and lauded by critics, for his infectious, dance pop music. The attention, however, paid to him in recent years has been less flattering, focusing on repeated cosmetic surgery - which he always denied - his baby-dangling antics and a decade of child abuse claims.

His friend, the performer Uri Geller, said last night there had been no indication that the singer was in such a frail condition.

"I'm absolutely devastated and shocked. I really have no words," he said. "He was a young and terribly fit man and he was getting ready for performances in England. He was just fine, the last I heard."

Matt Blank from the Michael Jackson World Network fan club said he was "a bit dumfounded and a bit shellshocked by it all".

He added: "I find it hard to believe this could be a reality.

"In the past, health issues of Michael Jackson have always been rumoured. I can only imagine this is down to the amount of stress he was under to come out and perform."

He added: "It's just unimaginable that Michael Jackson is no more, it's just unbelievable."

Brian Oxman, a Jackson family lawyer, told CNN he was told by the star's brother, Randy Jackson, that he had collapsed at his home in west Los Angeles.

A cardiologist at UCLA told showbiz website TMZ.com that Jackson died of cardiac arrest after failing to respond to attempts at resuscitation. It also said his sister LaToya ran into the hospital sobbing.

A spokesman for the hospital declined to comment.

Jackson last toured 12 years ago when he played 82 shows in 58 cities for the HIStory tour. He has spent time living outside the United States since his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges.

AEG Live, which organised the O2 concerts, said Jackson had passed a lengthy physical exam in early 2009, before the London concerts were announced. [source]