Propofol overdose likely cause of Michael Jackson's sudden death

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A potent and lethal dose of propofol was the likely factor that induced the death of pop king Michael Jackson, his personal doctor Conrad Murray told the authorities, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

U.S. pop star Michael Jackson performs "We are the World" during the  World Music Awards at Earl's Court in London November 15, 2006.   (Xinhua/Reuters file photo)

In a search warrant affidavit declassified in Houston, Murray told the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) that he had kept giving Jackson 50 milligrams of propofol every night for about six weeks in an effort to treat his insomnia.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office did find large amount of the anesthetics in Jackson's body after his June 25 death, but the conclusion was withheld because the investigation was ongoing.

Fearing an addiction was taking root in Jackson, Murray began to wean him off the drug by reducing the daily dosage by half and mixing it with two other sedatives, lorazepam and midazolam. From June 23 on, he administered only two medications excluding the propofol.

Two days later, Murray tried to help Jackson go into sleep, also without using propofol. From 2 a.m. (0900GMT), he injected lorazepam intravenously twice. He then gave the pop star midazolamsince Jackson was still awake, the report said.

He used various drugs before 10:40 a.m. (1740GMT) when he injected 25 milligrams of propofol after Jackson insisted in getting the drug.

Murray has already admitted to obtaining and administering propofol on Jackson the morning he died in an interview with LAPD detectives before the court document was made known. Making telephone calls to his Houston office and family members, Murray left Jackson alone under the influence of the drug, only found that Jackson stopped breathing when he was back. He performed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and one of Jackson's aide called 911, but to no avail. Jackson was pronounced dead later after he was rushed to the Medical Center of University of California, Los Angeles.

An investigation is still underway, aiming to make clear the role propofol played in Jackson's death and whether there is any wrongdoings on the part of Murray.