Michael Jackson Dies Unexpectedly

LONDON- JULY 15 : Michael Jackson performs on stage during his "BAD" concert tour held at Wembley Stadium ,London on the 15th of July 1988.While performing in London, England Michael breaks a world record (as shown in the Guinness Book Of World Records) with 504,000 people attending 7 sold out shows at Wembley Stadium, more than any other artist.

The King of POP -- Michael Jackson, the child singing prodigy who became the single most famous entertainer in the world, died today at the age of 50 after suffering cardiac arrest at his Bel Air home. Jackson had been in Los Angeles rehearsing for a 50-date comeback tour set to start within weeks at London’s O2 arena. He went into cardiac arrest at about 12:30 p.m. PST at the home he was renting in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles. He was not breathing when paramedics arrived, according to reports. The singer was transported to UCLA Medical Center with paramedics administering CPR throughout the approximately 7-minute ride. “Entertainment Tonight” has what perhaps the last photo is taken of Jackson, as he was being placed in an ambulance.

A source inside the hospital told TMZ.com there was “absolute chaos” after Jackson arrived, as people who were with the singer were screaming, “You’ve got to save him! You’ve got to save him!” He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 2:26 p.m. PST, announced Lt. Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office. He leaves behind his mother Katherine, father Joe, brothers Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Jermaine and Randy; and sisters Rebbie, LaToya and Janet. Jackson is also survived by three children - Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II. In a statement to reporters at UCLA Medical Center, here’s what Jermaine Jackson had to say about the death of his brother:
“His personal physician, who was with him at the time, attempted to resuscitate my brother, as did paramedics who transported him to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Upon arriving at the hospital at approximately 1:14 p.m., a team of highly skilled doctors, including emergency physicians and cardiologists, attempted to resuscitate him for a period of more than one hour but were unsuccessful. Our family requests that the media respect our privacy during this tragic period of time.”
Crowds of hundreds had already been gathering at the hospital and were playing his music and keeping vigil while cable news channels and media outlets were reporting conflicting accounts of his medical status. TMZ.com was the first to report of his death based on sources. Their posting went up at 5:20 p.m. EST, several minutes earlier than his reported time of death. By the time news of Jackson’s passing was being confirmed by the Los Angeles Times and CBS News, radio stations had ditched their normal playlists to play Jackson’s songs, celebrities had taken to Twitter to express their thoughts, BET’s “106 & Park” audience was in tears and MTV was airing the entire 13 min 41 sec “Thriller” video in his memory.

An Associated Press reporter who happened to be in New York’s Times Square’s said there was a noticeable “loud moan” reaction when the Jumbotron announced that Jackson was confirmed dead. TMZ reported that Elton John was in the midst of his annual “White Tie and Tiara Ball” when he was informed of Jackson’s death. He reportedly dedicated his song “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” to Michael, as guests Liz Hurley, Hugh Grant, Lily Allen, and Kelly Osbourne looked on.

Rev. Al Sharpton stepped outside of the Apollo Theater in Harlem to talk about Jackson’s legacy. Above him, the venue’s world iconic marquee was changed to mark Jackson’s death. Behind him, a crowd of several hundred had gathered. “Incredible Hulk” star Lou Ferrigno, recently Michael’s trainer for his upcoming tour, and his wife, Carla, were both distraught upon hearing the sad news. Carla, crying, told TMZ: “He was so great and we all loved him. Lou can’t even form words right now—he’s in total shock ... he thought he was going to be training Michael tomorrow. He was planning on flying back to Los Angeles to do it. He’s very shocked right now. Michael was so cute and sweet—he didn’t deserve this.”

Jackson’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame had been covered up most of the day Thursday by red carpet in preparation for the premiere of Sasha Baron Cohen’s new movie “Bruno,” so fans began leaving flowers at the star belonging to British talk show host Michael Jackson. Debbie Rowe, the mother of two of Jackson’s three kids, was said to be “inconsolable” according to TMZ. The Web site noted that she gave up all parental rights to the two children—Paris and Michael Jr. Therefore she is not legally in line to take custody.