LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson’s death was a homicide caused primarily by the powerful anesthetic propofol and another sedative, the coroner announced Friday in a highly anticipated ruling increasing the likelihood of criminal charges against the pop star’s doctor.
The Los Angeles County coroner’s office determined the cause of death was “acute propofol intoxication.”
Lorazepam, another sedative sold under the brand name Ativan, contributed to the death.
Additional drugs detected in Jackson’s system were the sedatives midazolam and diazepam, the painkiller lidocaine and the stimulant ephedrine.
The coroner did not release Jackson’s full autopsy report, citing a security hold requested by Los Angeles authorities investigating the case.
The 50-year-old Jackson died June 25 at his rented Los Angeles mansion. Dr. Conrad Murray, the Las Vegas cardiologist who was the pop star’s personal physician, told police he gave Jackson propofol that morning after a series of sedatives failed to help Jackson sleep.
Murray has not been charged with any crime but is the target of what police term a manslaughter investigation. Multiple search warrants served at his home and businesses in Las Vegas and Houston sought evidence detailing how he procured the propofol that killed Jackson. Jackson’s interactions with at least six other doctors also are being scrutinized.
Murray’s attorney, Edward Chernoff, said he was disappointed the full autopsy report wasn’t released. He repeated his assertion that nothing Murray gave Jackson “should have” killed him.
The coroner’s determination of homicide makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed but does not guarantee it. In the past seven years, just a handful of doctors have been convicted of manslaughter, mostly involving their patients’ use of painkillers.
To win a conviction, prosecutors would have to show that Murray acted recklessly and with negligence.
Medical experts said the drugs found in Jackson’s system magnify each other’s effects.
“Instead of one plus one equals two, one plus one equals three,” said Lee Cantrell, director of the San Francisco division of the California Poison Control System.
