Jermaine Jackson 'Stop Speculating About Michael's Death'

Friday 3rd July 2009 - 03:35:17

Jermaine Jackson has urged the media to stop speculating about the cause of Michael Jackson's sudden death, insisting allegations he was a prescription drug abuser are "very damaging" to his grieving family.

The Thriller superstar, 50, was pronounced dead last week (25Jun09) after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The circumstances surrounding his passing remain a mystery, amid claims he struggled with a prolonged addiction to prescription drugs.

Shortly after Jackson's tragic death, Los Angeles police detectives conducted a search of the star's rented Holmby Hills, California mansion andconfiscated a variety of pills and medications which were among his possessions.

Reports suggest one drug found was Propofol, a dangerous medication used for surgical anaesthesia.

The drug, which can only be administered with an intravenous drip (IV),can cause cardiac arrest if it is taken in combination with narcotic painkillers, but it is so potent it can stop the heart on its own.

But Jermaine, 54, is adamant his younger brother was not a drug addict, insisting he would never have passed the physical examination needed to go ahead with plans for his 50-date London residency, which was due to begin this month (Jul09).

And he wants the rumours and erroneous reports to cease until the facts are revealed in the autopsy results.

He says, "For people to come forward and say things that they don't have the facts to is very damaging to the family, to me, to us, because we don't know. After having the physical and proved to be completely healthy..".

However, Jermaine admits he understands how the stress of showbusiness could drive a person to seek solace in various substances - but he would be devastated if the drug rumours are proven correct.

He adds "I would be hurt (if the autopsy results show drug use) because Michael has always been a person who was against anything like that, but I'm not saying it's right because it's not right, but in this business,the pressure, the things that you go through, you never know. I really don't know (if he was taking drugs), but I do know that Michael was alwaysconcerned about everybody, and to have that burden on your shoulders, and to have that pressure... I don't know".