June 26, 2009 2:24

Doctors attempted to resuscitate Michael Jackson for over an hour

Medical center releases statement on pop star's death

Photo Gallery: Michael Jackson

A team of doctors tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Michael Jackson for more than an hour before he was declared dead earlier today (June 25).

According to a statement just released by Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, where the pop star was taken after suffering what is believed to be a cardiac arrest at his home, Jackson died at 2:26pm (PST) following repeated failed attempts to revive him.

An autopsy is due to take place later today (June 26).

The center issued the following statement to NME.COM: "The legendary King Of Pop, Michael Jackson, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at 2:26 pm. It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known.

"His personal physician, who was with him at the time, attempted to resuscitate Jackson, as did paramedics who transported him to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Upon arriving at the hospital at approximately 1:14 pm, a team of doctors, including emergency physicians and cardiologists, attempted to resuscitate him for a period of more than one hour but were unsuccessful.

"Jackson's family requests that the media respect their privacy during this tragic period of time."

Read NME.COM's Michael Jackson obituary online now.

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