The Death of Michael Jackson

Pop icon Michael Jackson has died after being rushed to a hospital in Los Angeles in cardiac arrest. Paramedics found the star in his home and adminstered CPR on the way to the hospital, but he was later pronounced dead. Jackson was 50.

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TMZ first reported the news of Jackson's death, which Fox News later confirmed.

A 911 call came in at 12:21 p.m. at Jackson's Holmby Hills home in L.A. His mother is rushing to the hospital to be with him.

Earlier Thursday, Joe Jackson, Michael's father, told TMZ that his son was "not doing well."

The Los Angeles County Coroner's office took custody of Jackson body Thursday evening and will be conducting an autopsy, Fox News reported.

Jackson, dubbed the King of Pop, was one of the most successful artists in the world, with a string of number 1 hits and multiplatium-selling albums such as Thriller and Bad. Thriller alone has sold more than 65 million copies worldwide since its release in 1982.

"I lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him," said legendary music executive Quincy Jones, who produced Jackson's seminal album Thriller.

"I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words," said Jones, in a statement. "To this day, the music we created together on Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all... talent, grace, professionalism and dedication."
 

The video for his hit single "Thriller," directed by John Landis, was widely considered to have changed the nascent music video industry when it debuted in 1983. It was a 13-minute takeoff of classic horror films fused with Jackson's signature dance style. years later, Landis sued Jackson, claiming the star owed him royalties from the video.

In 2005, Jackson was tried in California on sexual abuse charges. He was accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy who had stayed in his home. After the 5-month trial, a jury acquitted him of all counts.

Michael is survived by three children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II.

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