Michael Jackson suffers massive heart attack, in critical condition; TMZ: Jackson dead
posted at 5:25 pm on June 25, 2009 by Allahpundit
He wasn’t breathing when the paramedics got there and he’s in “really bad shape” in the hospital according to a family member. Apart from feeling instinctive human sympathy for his suffering, I’m not sure how to react. He’s super famous — yet mostly famous at this point for being a walking freak show. He’s had a tough life psychologically — but might very well be a child molester. In a sense this is huge news, yet in another sense I’m not sure why anyone would much care these days. I’ve completely lost my news bearings!
Stand by for (hopefully happy) updates.
Update: A sentiment we can all hopefully agree upon: “Thriller” was a simply dynamite album.
Update: RIP.
Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon and paramedics were unable to revive him. We’re told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back.
Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.
Let the overdose speculation begin.
Update: Writes Jim Treacher of Jacko’s and Farrah Fawcett’s demise, “How many more icons of my youth can we lose in one day? Stay strong, Hasselhoff. Stay strong.”
Update: As of 6:10 ET, TMZ’s still the one and only news outlet I know that’s reporting Jackson died. Then again, they were also the first to report that he’d had a heart attack so their sources presumably are solid. Even so, the LA Times claims Jackson’s in a coma. If TMZ jumped the gun, it’ll be a journalistic blunder for the ages.
Update: OK magazine is also reporting he died. Interesting how the celebrity gossip sites are way ahead of the legit news organizations.
Update: Sad confirmation from the LA Times that he is indeed dead. What a scoop by TMZ.
Update: Still the best video ever, but then a Romero fan would say that. Click the image to watch.
Update: Needless to say, this is going to be one interesting autopsy.
Update: I wonder which multimillionaire talking-head cable news anchor will be the first to complain that they have to cover this story, as if it’s beneath them.
Blowback
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also dont forget Walter Cronkite, not doing well.
Greed on June 25, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Too late for that I’m afraid.
Guardian on June 25, 2009 at 6:09 PM
dcwvu:
Me too. I grew up on Jackson’s songs. Jackson is weird and crazy now but back in the 80s he was the man.
taney71 on June 25, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Jackson
FiveFour ??Firing up my eBay listings now!!
.
/ one ticket – window seat, please.
CaveatEmpty on June 25, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Thriller was a great album and it brought joy to people all over the globe, even in the remotest parts of the planet.
The joy his talent brought was overshadowed and negated by his perverseness. He was a deeply troubled soul.
Maybe his victims will finally find peace.
DeathB4Tyranny on June 25, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Celebrity Death Trifecta completed.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on June 25, 2009 at 6:10 PM
“I feel like part of my childhood is gone. I still remember being a litte boy terrified of the “Thriller” video.
dcwvu on June 25, 2009 at 6:08 PM”
You’re not the only one who lost part of their childhood because of Michael Jackson…
Star20 on June 25, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Watching Brett Bair and Greta on FOX, and they have not confirmed that he passed.
silenced majority on June 25, 2009 at 6:10 PM
That’s the first time I’ve ever heard him accused of that.
Disturb the Universe on June 25, 2009 at 6:10 PM
I was truly sorry to see Farrah go, as she was a classy lady and was a major ’70′s crush of mine.
As for Michael Jackson’s passing, I feel bad for the family.
-Dave
Dave R. on June 25, 2009 at 6:10 PM
All I know is I’ll remember him as that little boy singing ABC, I’ll Be There, and all those sweet songs…God have mercy on him and on me, a sinner.
deedledee on June 25, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Conspiracy Theory time: Is this just an elaborate hoax?
jimmy the notable on June 25, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Word. Reminds me of when Elvis died just before Groucho Marx. No one remembers Marx dying.
Thunderstorm129 on June 25, 2009 at 6:11 PM
If TMZ’s report is correct, why are the cable nets and other media reports not able to confirm it?
rw on June 25, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Still only TMZ is reporting this…kind of odd if it’s true. Where are the other outlets?
jennifernaz on June 25, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Well you know, celebrities/icons always die in three’s! At the risk of being labeled callous and morbid, anyone want to guess what celebrity/icon will be the third?
As for Jackson’s death, well I too have very mixed feelings about it. He was a very talented artist that put out a lot of great songs, but in the end (the last 10 years of his life) one cannot help but judge him by what he became and not what he was due to the controversy surrounding him in his last years.
Regardless if we think he was guilty of some of the things our courts and judges found him not guilty of Michael is now in front of the ultimate judge, that being God and has to answer to him. Still, I’d like to say RIP Michael…
Liberty or Death on June 25, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Uhm, Michael Jackson is the 3rd
Ed McMahon, 60’s 70’s 80’s 90’s icon
Farrah 70’s icon
MJ 80’s icon
DSchoen on June 25, 2009 at 6:12 PM
He will be spotted in 7/11′s w/ Elvis and Tupac.
Disturb the Universe on June 25, 2009 at 6:12 PM
I have mixed feelings.
Sad for his family and sad that someone with so much talent had to end his life as a mentally ill surgery addict and a probable pedophile.
Anytime a “star” from your child dies it does have some impact.
I just feel pretty old today, I guess.
BakerAllie on June 25, 2009 at 6:12 PM
The records didn’t molest anyone. You only had to listen to the music, not invite him to your house.
How many childhood stars from that era turned out OK? And none of them were as big as young as he was.
dedalus on June 25, 2009 at 6:12 PM
If TMZ’s report is correct, why are the cable nets and other media reports not able to confirm it?
rw on June 25, 2009 at 6:11 PM
I’m noticing that too.
church on June 25, 2009 at 6:12 PM
God rest all their souls. Now get ready for the comparisons of Michael Jackson & Elvis – and a wild news cycle from a surreal week.
redwhiteblue on June 25, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Yeah, but the fire isn’t pedophilia.
Darth Executor on June 25, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Trying to squeeze out a single tear.
Nope. Can’t do it.
HornetSting on June 25, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Don’t forget, Michael Jackson was Elvis’ son-in-law.
Wander on June 25, 2009 at 6:13 PM
If it’s a hoax, then AP just bought into it too:
LOS ANGELES, June 26 (AP) – (Kyodo)—Pop star Michael Jackson died Thursday, Reuters news agency reported. He was 50.
AUINSC on June 25, 2009 at 6:13 PM
*should be childhood..
BakerAllie on June 25, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Variety said he was in cardiac arrest, then they said he was dead, then they went back to just cardiac arrest.
Crusty on June 25, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Well I know what I will be avoiding this weekend.
RobCon on June 25, 2009 at 6:13 PM
karenhasfreedom on June 25, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Even if they’re in the hospital, and get CPR immediately, the majority who truly go into cardiac arrest do not survive long. If the underlying problem is bad enough to actually cause your heart to stop beating, it’s often bad enough to cause significant damage and/or be very hard to fix successfully.
Life ain’t ER.
cs89 on June 25, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Bah…fixed it.
AUINSC on June 25, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Seeing that he’s now dead, this is probably a more suitable picture of him.
Rod on June 25, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Oh man, you’re right I forgot about Ed! I just posted above that celebrity/icon deaths always come in three’s and this time was no exception, again you are right DS, MJ was the third in this round of “The Dead Pool.”
Liberty or Death on June 25, 2009 at 6:14 PM
And two lesser-known but still great musicians died…
Wednesday it was Tim Krekel, former lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffett
And earlier today, Sky Saxon, founder of the great 1960s garage band The Seeds (“Pushin’ Too Hard”)
Speaking of music, I wonder what happens to the music rights Jacko bought? He owned a lot of the Beatles stuff as I recall.
Del Dolemonte on June 25, 2009 at 6:14 PM
This makes me misty eyed, thinking about Lotoya’s Playboy spread…
Star20 on June 25, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Farrah’s been dying for some time now, and her illness was well-publicized. No one was surprised or shocked by her passing, just saddened. MJ’s death is a bit of a shocker, and clearly controversial as well. Note the disagreement here about whether or not he’s even worthy of any level of mourning.
aero on June 25, 2009 at 6:15 PM
I can’t leave the computer without some kind of confirmation.
Typhonsentra on June 25, 2009 at 6:15 PM
TMZ stands for “Thirty Mile Zone” only covers news in a 30 mile radius of Hollywood – staffed by hundreds of gossip hounds in their 20′s…..
izoneguy on June 25, 2009 at 6:15 PM
However it plays out Barfy will feel it’s just another ‘distraction’ getting in his way. Imagine how it must feel to spend so much time on the airwaves (The Daily Drone) to be preempted by indiscretions of small state governors and celebrity deaths.
Barry must be really chuffed.
Cody1991 on June 25, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Fox and traditional news goes to the hospital to get info. Hospitals have to follow protocol (i.e.; notifying family first, etc), and they cannot release patient info without permission.
TMZ… being the hacks they are… bribe hospital staff for info (i.e.; against the law).
Enoxo on June 25, 2009 at 6:15 PM
The records didn’t molest anyone. You only had to listen to the music, not invite him to your house.
How many childhood stars from that era turned out OK? And none of them were as big as young as he was.
dedalus on June 25, 2009 at 6:12 PM
I don’t care if his music was good or not, and for the record I liked him when I was a teenager and Thriller came out. That being said, making good music does not excuse pedophilia. By that logic anyone can engage in any hideous immoral behavior they want as long as people enjoy the sounds coming out of their mouth.
church on June 25, 2009 at 6:15 PM
I think this might be the thing that finally destroys Twitter.
Jim Treacher on June 25, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Ryan Seacrest is twittering that his source is saying it’s true.
jennifernaz on June 25, 2009 at 6:15 PM
I believe he sold off a lot of the Beatles catalog when he got himself in so much debt.
Disturb the Universe on June 25, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Not sure I’d want the news orgs covering Jackson that closely anyway.
Patrick on June 25, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Grown men do not have innocent sleepovers with little boys in their own beds. He targeted the most vulnerable children with greedy, grasping parents because he knew it would insulate him from future accusations. He doesn’t need a criminal conviction in order for someone to know that these are the classic tactics of a pedophile.
patriette on June 25, 2009 at 6:16 PM
News wires are getting confused now…ABC rescinding the death report.
AUINSC on June 25, 2009 at 6:16 PM
RIP Mr. Jackson. His life was cut way too short but his music lives on and used to keep me on the treadmill for an extra mile.
RIP Ms. Fawcett. She was definitely a pop culture icon and I desperately wanted the car she drove in Charlie’s Angels.
sherry on June 25, 2009 at 6:16 PM
What does Paris Hilton, the Walter Cronkite of show-biz schlock say? Or is he still pouting?
RobCon on June 25, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Can’t believe this walking plastic kiddie diddler had to go and die on the same day as one of the hottest women to walk the face of this earth.
I like him even less.
Geraldo now saying pills involved. Go figure.
Thunderstorm129 on June 25, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Make that Perez.
RobCon on June 25, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Regardless of whether they’re better off without him, it’s very, very difficult for kids to get over the death of a parent. I was expressing sympathy for their increased emotional struggle that will almost certainly result from losing their father.
aero on June 25, 2009 at 6:17 PM
cryogenics?
.
Right beside Ted Williams.
Americannodash on June 25, 2009 at 6:17 PM
CNN and the others can also keep milking the story. This might add another 100 people to Wolfie’s audience…
Del Dolemonte on June 25, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Wrong. David Carradine was the first, Ed McMahon 2nd and Fawcett is 3rd.
Michael Jackson begins the new trifecta.
yogi41 on June 25, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Oh man, that’s morbid…morbidly FUNNY!
Liberty or Death on June 25, 2009 at 6:17 PM
He was a pedophile. To much smoke there not be any fire.
church on June 25, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Media driven. According to the history channel we get visits from space aliens on a regular basis. Must be on an interstellar trade route or something.
Hey church, I wish you a trial by presscore as your fifteen minutes of fame. Moron.
papertiger on June 25, 2009 at 6:17 PM
They have him on life support which makes him breathe and all but they’ll take him off at some point. He didn’t have a pulse for at least 15 minutes. He has to be brain dead.
Guardian on June 25, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Ya Think Allah?
Gosh what a WEIRD week this has been.
upinak on June 25, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Geraldo sucks.
doug1981 on June 25, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Will be buried or recycled?
Sorry, Jacko. Had to use it.
RobCon on June 25, 2009 at 6:18 PM
No one else reporting he has died. Greta was just asking if this was another MJ drama moment that he is known for. Apparently, he is working on going on tour.
ramrants on June 25, 2009 at 6:18 PM
It does appear that Twitter has officially imploded upon this news. Kind of hilarious.
jennifernaz on June 25, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Grinding. to. a. halt.
Patrick on June 25, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Oh look, douche bag mustache hoto is on Fox blathering about the world’s most famous pedophile.
HornetSting on June 25, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Add Senator Bob Byrd to those close to the end
William Amos on June 25, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Ok.. conspiracy theory. Did TMZ cause Michael’s Death?
I keed I keed!
upinak on June 25, 2009 at 6:18 PM
my personal fave.
homesickamerican on June 25, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Nope, Caradine was the third of another trio. This trio started with Ed McMahon.
Enoxo on June 25, 2009 at 6:19 PM
The difference is David Carradine did it to himself.
R D on June 25, 2009 at 6:19 PM
LMFAO @ Gary Coleman!
upinak on June 25, 2009 at 6:19 PM
I understand he will be buried with his original nose.
Star20 on June 25, 2009 at 6:19 PM
I can only say that Michael Jackson’s life became a tragedy long before he died.
I remember him from when I was young, before he started mutilating his face. He wasn’t an unattractive guy by any definition before then; it always saddened me to see him slowly descend into the depths of whatever was eating him from the inside out. By the end, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d shown up in the latest “Batman” movie, starring as … himself.
Spurius Ligustinus on June 25, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Big huge no care about some (most likely) pedophile, mentally-ill singer and dancer. I care just enough to leave a comment about it.
Sorry, there’s too many more important things to care about right now. Following some freakshow celebrity’s health issues isn’t one of them.
foucaultsvac on June 25, 2009 at 6:20 PM
When I lived in San Antonio, Texas, back in the good old days, they had these two DJ’s Lyle and Hahn and they used to do ‘death watch’ when a famous person died.
Who will be the next……stay tuned to death watch!
HornetSting on June 25, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Ironic, when he could finally do some good. He might have tried to grab back some power from Obama that rightly belongs to the legislature.
JiangxiDad on June 25, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Damn it, you’re right, more right than DS was! Man I’m getting old, I can’t keep up with all these people dropping! David C was the first, then ED, then Fawcett!
So MJ is the first in this next round of THE Dead Pool…anyone want to venture a guess at the next two to drop in this round of The Dead Pool that MJ started?
Liberty or Death on June 25, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Watch, he will bounce back.. and then BAM.. die!
upinak on June 25, 2009 at 6:21 PM
I’m shocked,to say the least!!
canopfor on June 25, 2009 at 6:21 PM
He doesn’t need a criminal conviction in order for someone to know that these are the classic tactics of a pedophile.
patriette on June 25, 2009 at 6:16 PM
I’m curious, how many classic pedophiles do you know?
Hope your fifteen minutes comes by way of a Letterman monologe.
papertiger on June 25, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Mark Sanford is one GREATFUL guy at this news!
Wander on June 25, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Drudge has it as a headline. If not true it damages his credibility.
Jvette on June 25, 2009 at 6:22 PM
LA Times just updated the linked article to say Jackson died.
apollyonbob on June 25, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Quincy Jones was the man behind his production
defendfaithandfamily on June 25, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Now LA Times says it’s a coma.
Thunderstorm129 on June 25, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Hey church, I wish you a trial by presscore as your fifteen minutes of fame. Moron.
papertiger on June 25, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Thanks for the well wishes, but I’m in no danger, because 1. I don’t sleep with children
2. I don’t invite children to stay at my home
3. I don’t give children alcohol
4. I’m not a pedophile.
But once again, thanks for the concern. But I don’t need it. Get you head out of your backside and face reality. And by the way aliens are not visting you at night and Bigfoot does not exist.
church on June 25, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Geraldo is telling Shep how bizarre Michael was. Too rich for words.
pugwriter on June 25, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Can I have a dollar for every Michael Jackson song I will hear over the next week?
RobCon on June 25, 2009 at 6:22 PM
The difference is David Carradine did it to himself.
R D on June 25, 2009 at 6:19 PM
.
unintended?
Americannodash on June 25, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Doesn’t matter, in The Dead Pool dead is dead regardless if it was at their own hand or not…there is no Mostly Dead in the Dead Pool!
Liberty or Death on June 25, 2009 at 6:22 PM
They cultivate differing reputations.
jay12 on June 25, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Drudge,has it up,he passed!
canopfor on June 25, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Drudge put up a great picture of MJ. He was original.
CarolynM on June 25, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Farrah Fawcett–Charlie’s favorite Angel, was always a class act, even when she was a 1970′s pin-up girl, and battling cancer is no picnic–I’ve ssen my own mother fight cancer three times and eventually lose, so Farrah Fawcett became heroic even in defeat.
Michael Jackson was always trying to show how “sexy” he was, repeatedly grabbing his crotch on stage, inviting young boys to sleep with him at his Neverland Ranch, and squandered hundreds of millions in his family’s fortune (the former Jackson Five) on his narcissism, and dangled his baby son over a balcony railing (nearly dropping him) for a lark.
When he was booked on child-molestation charges, he was measured at 6’1″ and 120 pounds–not a very healthy physical specimen. Did he overdose or have AIDS? We may never know, but after the life he led, he probably needs all the prayers he can get when he meets his maker.
Steve Z on June 25, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Didn’t Congress pass a resolution once honoring Bob Hope because he had died…….but he was actually still alive?
portlandon on June 25, 2009 at 6:23 PM
LATimes says he is dead as well. Arrived in a coma aka: dead.
darclon on June 25, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Geraldo is telling Shep how bizarre Michael was. Too rich for words.
pugwriter on June 25, 2009 at 6:22 PM
.
Two spit swappers talking?
Americannodash on June 25, 2009 at 6:24 PM
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