Report: Jackson’s personal doctor gave him anesthetic propofol before death

I knew from the moment I heard of Michael Jackson’s death that one or more doctors would eventually be charged as enablers to his death given recent events in the Anna Nicole Smith’s case. What does come as a bit of a shock is that how direct their role may have been in the late pop stars death.

According to a new report a law enforcement source told the AP that Jackson’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, administered the powerful anesthetic propofol that killed the famous singer the night before his death.  The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity which makes me think that what he or she is doing is totally illegal and unethical in commenting on an ongoing investigation, said Jackson regularly received propofol to sleep, a practice far outside the drug’s intended purpose. On June 25, the day Jackson died, Dr. Conrad Murray gave him the drug sometime after midnight, the official said.  A second report from TMZ, which first reported Jackson’s death – claims that Dr. Murray is believed to have failed to pay attention and perhaps fell asleep while administering the drug, then woke to find Jackson lifeless.  Dr. Murray is believed to have spent hours hiding evidence before calling 911.

Police searching Jackson’s home after his death however found propofol and other drugs, an IV line and three tanks of oxygen in Jackson’s bedroom, and 15 more oxygen tanks in a security guard’s shack.  Propofol can depress breathing and lower heart rates and blood pressure, so it is only supposed to be administered in hospitals monitored by an EKG, which sounds an alarm when the patient’s pulse drops too low.