Los Angeles: The Los Angeles County Coroner Friday ruled the June 25 death of Michael Jackson a homicide and said that the pop star died of "acute intoxication" by the anaesthetic propofol.
"The manner of death has been ruled homicide," the coroner said in a statement. "Cause of death was established as acute propofol intoxication. Other conditions contributing to death: benzodiazepine.
The drugs propofol and Lorazepam were found to be the primary drugs responsible for Mr. Jackson's death. Other drugs detected were midazolam, diazepam, lidocaine, and ephedrine."
The homicide finding refers to death caused by another person, but does not necessarily mean criminal charges. However Jackson's physician Dr Conrad Murray, who administered the drugs to help Jackson battle insomnia, has already been identified in police documents as the target of a manslaughter investigation.
IANS
First Published: Saturday, August 29, 2009, 10:41