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Janet Jackson breaks her silence: Murray is responsible for Michael's death
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In an upcoming interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts, Janet Jackson breaks her silence concerning the June 25th death of her brother, Michael Jackson. She has decided to come forward with her own allegations that Dr. Conrad Murray is directly responsible for Jackson’s death, as he was the person who administered an allegedly lethal dose of the anesthetic Propofol to the singer at his home. Ms. Jackson goes on to say that she feels Murray should no longer be allowed to practice medicine.
Murray is facing manslaughter charges in Michael Jackson’s death. While he admits to administering the Propofol, he denies he did so in quantities large enough to result in Jackson’s death.
Propofol is a rapidly-acting intravenous anesthetic which is milky-white in color (thereby earning its nickname “Milk of Amnesia”), and is typically used for the induction of anesthesia. It is the drug given just before other general anesthetics are administered, and due to its rapid hypnotic effects, causes the immediate sensation of sleep before surgery begins. It is also used in emergency situations in which a patient requires the induction of sedation prior to some procedures. Propofol is typically administered as a one-time intravenous “push”; however, as was the reported case for Michael Jackson, continuous infusions of the drug can also be administered. Nonetheless, Propofol renders some significant effects on the respiratory, cardiovascular and central nervous systems, making at-home administration of the drug very dangerous.
Propofol lowers the blood pressure, depresses respirations, and reduces perfusion of blood to the brain. The reported oxygen tanks at Jackson’s home speak to the known dangers of administering Propofol without the support of medical intervention. Usually, Propofol is given under the guidance of an anesthesiologist, with careful monitoring of the heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate. Emergency resuscitative equipment would also be required to be immediately available, due to the rapid reduction of blood flow, blood pressure, and respiratory effort. If published reports are accurate, this very potent anesthetic was routinely administered to Jackson outside a hospital setting, both on tour and at home.
On August 28th, the Los Angeles County coroner ruled that the cause of Michael Jackson's death was acute propofol intoxication, along with the combined effects of other sedatives Murray has also admitted to administering prior to giving Jackson the Propofol. Murray also admits that the only monitoring equipment he had available to him was a device measuring Jackson's oxygen saturation.
If Jackson had been receiving Propofol on a regular basis, how did this incident result in his death? These are answers being sought by prosecutors in this case. If Murray administered a dose which was “routine” for Jackson, it is possible that factors such as weight loss, changes in metabolism brought about by recent increases in physical activity, or other changes to the metabolic system could have rendered the drug more potent in Jackson’s system. It is also possible that Murray administered a larger dose to Jackson, or did not ascertain that he was in respiratory distress soon enough. Whatever occurred that day, medical experts agree that Propofol is a drug which should have never been administered at home, without the proper modes of monitoring his vital signs, or the proper means of resuscitation. These guidelines were not followed by Murray, and this is likely the reason that the manner of Michael Jackson's death was ruled as a homicide.
Janet Jackson discusses her reaction to her brother’s death in this ABC interview, as well as the aftermath and her ongoing grieving process. She also delves into her own childhood memories, including her experience of being groomed by her father to become an entertainer in her own right.
The interview with Janet Jackson airs on Wednesday night at 10 pm/9 pm Central on ABC. To watch a sneak peek of the interview, go to abcnews.com.
For More Info: ABC News: Janet Jackson blames Dr. Conrad Murray for Michael Jackson's death; Michael Jackson death; Michael Jackson autopsy, propofol intoxication, Dr. Conrad Murray
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