Michael Jackson died at age 50

Michael Jackson died Thursday afternoon (June 25) at the age of 50 after suffering cardiac arrest.

Reports say the legendary pop singer collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest at his home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Holmby Hills. A doctor present at the time of the incident performed CPR on the singer but could not revive him. He was not breathing and had no pulse when paramedics arrived after a 911 call around 12:26 p.m. PT. They administered CPR and took Jackson via ambulance to UCLA Medical Center but were unable to revive him.

At the hospital, a team of doctors, including emergency physicians and cardiologists, attempted to resuscitate him for more than an hour, but were unsuccessful. According to Jermaine Jackson, the singer's brother, Michael was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m.

During a brief press conference on Thursday evening, a visibly shaken Jermaine stepped in front of cameras and said, "This is hard."

After describing details about the incident's timeline, Jermaine closed by saying, "Our family requests that the media please respect our privacy during this tough time. And may Allah be with you, Michael, always."
The exact circumstances surrounding Jackson's death continue to remain unclear. Jackson's brother Marlon told CNN that Michael was not feeling well Wednesday night and a doctor was called to the house. Jackson family attorney Brian Oxman speculated to CNN that the singer's death might be related to the abuse of prescription medication.
Los Angeles Police Department robbery/homicide detectives have begun an investigation into the death, though there is no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. Detectives will interview relatives, friends and Jackson's doctors. The L.A. County coroner's office will conduct an autopsy Friday.

At the time of his death, Jackson was gearing up for a comeback, rehearsing for a series of 50 sold-out shows in London's O2 arena that would jump-start a world tour, a new album and possibly a movie. In what is believed to be his final public appearance, Jackson showed up at a press conference in London wearing one of his signature quasi-military outfits and announced the initial plan for the concerts. Describing the shows as a "final curtain call," Jackson told the assembled crowd of fans and media, "This is it. This is it! I just want to say these will be my final shows, performances in London. ... When I say this is it, it really means this is it."

Jackson eventually postponed by several days the July start of the O2 shows, raising questions about his health. But after his death, a source close to Jackson told MTV News, "Michael has been in rehearsals. He's been in good spirits. He's been rehearsing eight hours a day for the London concerts."

Born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, Jackson was the seventh of nine children. He married Lisa Marie Presley — Elvis' only child — in 1994, but they divorced in 1996. The same year, Jackson married Debbie Rowe and had two children before splitting in 1999.
The singer is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.

Source: MTV