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Michael Jackson: 24 (after the) Facts


1. The news of Michael's death spread from its original source at TMZ.com so fast that worldwide web insfrastructure nearly caved. So many people hit Google with the keywords "Michael Jackson" that they initially assumed the site was under attack.

2. Jacko was addicted to the painkiller propofol, and his death was believed to be caused by a cocktail of propofol and various anti-anxiety meds – his arms were apparently covered in needle marks.

3. Propofol is nicknamed "milk of amnesia", for its milky appearance (and its ability to make you forget your pain, apparently.)

4. Jacko used various pseudonyms, including Omar Arnold and Jack London, as well as various different doctors, to get his hands on more and more meds as his addiction spiralled out of control.

5. Jackson was also apparently taking skin-lightening steroids and stimulants. When the Janet and other members of his family tried to stage an intervention, security guards refused to admit them to Jackson’s home.

6. Dr Murray claimed he spent 10 minutes attempting to revive MJ by administering CPR on the bed, before realising he needed to call for help.

7. Murray also claimed he didn’t call 911 on his cell phone, because he wasn’t sure of the street address. Suspicion about Dr Murray’s actions led to his arrest in February 2010 on charges of Involuntary Manslaughter. He was released on $775,000 bail.

8. A porcelain doll in the likeness of a little blonde boy and a stack of children’s DVDs were found by Michael’s bed.

9. At the time of his death, Michael was in final rehearsals for This is It , a comeback concert tour scheduled to be performed for an audience of over a million fans.

10. He ended up reaching billions instead with a movie made about the tour released soon after his death, titled “This is It”. True enough.

11. All over the world, fans mourned Jackson and promoters cashed in on their grief – only Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Lady Di got similar global sendoffs.

12. Lady Gaga may be out to shock by putting dead people on her stage in a new show, but Madonna was way ahead of her in the exploitation stakes. Madge hired a look-alike impersonator to dance, and projected images of Michael Jackson behind the action on her 2009 Sticky ‘n Sweet tour.

13. Fans, and some celebs (such as Lily Allen) took to wearing one white glove in remembrance of Michael, and mass moonwalks commemorated Michael's magical moves. Michael’s brothers all wore them to the funeral.

14.There were also the jokes, mostly wordplay along the lines of "Doctors say it was in his Billie Genes", and "Blame it on the Boogie".

15. Michael is survived by three kids, all bizarrely named some variation of “Michael”. Michael Joseph Jackson Jr (b. 1997), Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson (b. 1998), and Prince Michael Jackson II, popularly known as "Blanket".

16. Blanket was the same baby Michael once dangled out of a hotel room window.

17. There have been claims that Michael is not the biological father of any of the children.

18. Michael’s father Joe, who Michael accused of systematic abuse of his children, used the media spotlight of his son’s death to promote his own music. He also blamed Katherine for her own son's death.

19. FBI files released after Michael’s death detail an investigation of a man who made death threats against both Jackson and, bizarrely, then-president George W. Bush.

20. Michael’s last meal was seared ahi tuna with an organic salad and a glass of carrot and orange juice, prepared at home by his personal chef. He ate it with his children.

21. When Michael Jackson died, he was deeply in debt to his record company Sony Music. But he’s paid them back, now. They've already made billions off royalties, from the film about his comeback and by selling other memorabilia to mourning fans.

22.Who gets Michael’s share of the loot? The Jackson family trust, and unspecified charitable organisations.

23. Some people claim CNN accidentally shot footage of MJ's ghost haunting Neverland – you can watch the video on YouTube. There’s also much scarier version here.

24. Sticking with the crazies, Ehow.com now includes the following topics: "How to connect with Michael Jackson after death", "How to get over the death of Michael Jackson" and "How to prove that Michael Jackson’s death is a hoax (Part 1)". Read more: here.

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