June 28, 2009 10:34

Police question Michael Jackson doctor following singer's death

Authorities carry out "extensive interview" with Conrad Murray

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Los Angeles police looking into the death of pop hero Michael Jackson say they have carried out an "extensive interview" with his doctor, Conrad Murray.

Murray was with Jackson when he died in the early afternoon, local time, on Thursday (June 25).

An autopsy carried out over the last 36 hours has shown no evidence of foul play. However, the Jackson family are unhappy with the findings and have called for a second, independent, post-mortem examination.

A spokeswoman for Dr Murray insisted he was not a suspect in the case. They say he was interviewed by police for three hours on Saturday.

Miranda Sevcik told BBC News the doctor had "helped identify the circumstances around the death of the pop icon and clarified some inconsistencies".

"Investigators said the doctor is in no way a suspect and remains a witness to this tragedy," she said. Murray "feels so deeply about his relationship with Michael Jackson that anything he can do to help this investigation come to a resolution, he is doing", she added.

It's emerged that Murray travelled in the ambulance with Michael Jackson after he suffered a heart attack.

The doctor also stayed for hours at the hospital. He had been part of Jackson's team since May when he was hired to help the late star prepare for the run of 50 sell-out shows in London's O2 Arena.

Yesterday, veteran politician and civil rights leader Rev Jesse Jackson, who has been counselling the family, said they had many questions of their own for Murray.

"When did the doctor come? What did he do? Did they inject him? If so, with what?" he said. "He owes it to the family and to the public to say, 'These were the last hours of Michael's life and here's what happened'."

He said the family were "clearly not satisfied" with the results of the autopsy so far, "that's why there's been the concern about an independent autopsy... which anybody would recommend in these circumstances".

The family have indictated that no funeral arrangements will be made until they get answers.

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

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