Obviously there are a lot of theories out there as to what happened, but it's curious that Gerald Posner basically now says the same thing I suggested a few days ago. For example, see:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-06-30/jacksons-final-panic/
It's not the what that matters, it's the why. Why did he take what he did (and of course, how was it administered) - but it's obvious that natural cause of death is not evident here - which is why the DEA and other Federal agencies are involved - it's obvious that prescription medication was involved.
My belief, which follows Gerald Posner's, is that he intended to do what was necessary to avoid having to perform a single show in London - shows which were to start in weeks. He couldn't sing (so he would have to lipsink) and he couldn't really dance (his poor health) and in fact his contract only called for a minimum of 13 minutes on stage, can you believe it?
These concerts were never going to happen, and I'm sure that those who were dependent upon him for their lives will contend that he was in excellent health and was doing well and would perform... but the little people, those who had no interest in his money, who now come forward to suggest how poorly he was, they will be ignored. But consider that father and brothers, those who depended upon his money didn't care enough about his medical problems and let him die before they would help him before they would risk losing all the money that they stood to gain from the "product" they created - I mean, here's Mr. Joe Jackson, smiling, promoting his new record company, and acting as if Michael were a product.
Consider that that the new executors are about to completely cut off all of these leaches... that the drain of his finances will finally end. Consider that in death he will never have to dance to support his extended family. And consider that he had to die to preserve the memory of his amazing talent before it was tarnished by horrific images of how he could no longer perform.
I don't pretend to know why he died, but I think between what I said and Gerald Posner's supposition, I think something along the lines of "accidental suicide" will be the finding. Posner suggests that Michael needed a very good and serious problem that would land him in the hospital in order to avoid the shows (and avoiding the shows was, in my mind, his imperative). I don't know what doctor gave him what substance, but whatever it was, it killed him instead of sending him to the hospital - so you can imagine that some doctor out there is in a world of trouble. Assuming that they can even trace the medication...
This is all so sad - while I think Michael may have been open to suicide (e.g., that Peter Pan can't age), it's also possible that all he really wanted was to get out of a concert contract (because he couldn't really perform anymore) - despite the fact that the concerts were the only way to save himself from bankruptcy.
What's odd is that in death, he's solved the problems that kept him awake at night - his estate will make more moeny and will be more free to protect his children.
And yet, despite all of this, who knows "the real Michael" - is there any real Michael?
At the end of the day, I will continue to contend that he only agreed to the London shows out of financail desperation, and because he knew he would never perform them, it was only a matter of how to avoid doing them in such a way as to not be sued etc... I gather he needed a serious ailment of the kind that would have sent him to the hospital - and so drugs were involved. But this time, the drugs killed him, and whether he intended it or not, it was obviously a chance he was willing to take - he would have rather died than perform in London at the age of 50 and have made a joke of himself... something he was simply never willing to do to the legacy he created.
I'm not sure if others agree with me - but I did predict months ago that he would never have performed a single show. I remember when London betting houses were betting 12-1 on whether he would perform a single show, then it dropped to 8-1. I was sure he would never perform, but never put my money where my mouth was, so I never collected a dime - I'm glad, because I would never have wished to collect on the basis of a man's death.
Rest in peace Michael - I suspect that you did more good than was ever understood - and that you suffered more than any of us could have ever imagined.
I only wish someone could write an accurate biography for you - but I suspect that all the controversy that's been created, all the divergent opinions, all the speculation and hype have made that impossible. In the same way you changed your face and hid behind a mask, your very life has disappeared as if by a magic trick. You died a week ago today, but in fact, all that's really known of you disappeared a long time ago. Of course this is what makes you very interesting, but also very confusing. And in that confusion, I don't think an accurate biography could ever be possible.
So, in the end, we will all take away what we personally remember of you - and perhaps nothing more. RIP.
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