The potent anesthetic Diprivan has been discovered at Michael Jackson's rented home, an investigator said Friday, as Los Angeles city officials prepared for a massive tribute to the late performer.
The drug, also known as Propofol, is a powerful anesthetic which is administered intravenously. It is rarely found outside of hospital operating rooms.
The investigator spoke anonymously, and Los Angeles Police refused to comment on the report. They are looking into allegations that Jackson, 50, was taking a cocktail of prescription painkillers, anti-depressants and sedatives before his death.
Any potential criminal implications in the death hinge on whether or not doctors were over-prescribing drugs to the singer, or had written prescriptions with the knowledge that the singer was using an alias.
However, official reports from police have been muted so far and there has been no confirmation that drugs led to the performer's death last week.
On Friday, the lawyer representing Jackson's private doctor issued a vague statement about the investigation.
Lawyer Edward Chernoff, who is representing Dr. Conrad Murray, said he would not directly comment on accusations of medical misconduct until investigators release their findings publicly, a spokesman for the lawyer said.
Murray, who was inside Jackson's rented Los Angeles mansion when the singer became unconscious on June 25, spoke to police last weekend.
Officials have described the doctor as a witness and not a suspect in the death, amid a flurry of rumours that Jackson had been prescribed powerful drugs like OxyContin and Demerol.
In an earlier interview with The Associated Press, Chernoff said his client did not prescribe such drugs to the singer.
Instead, the lawyer said his client had only prescribed drugs in response to a direct medical complaint. However, the lawyer declined to specify which drugs he was referring to.
Jackson died as he was preparing for an ambitious, 50-date run of shows at London's O2 arena later this year.
In another recent development, a former nurse said that Jackson was nervous about his upcoming shows that he couldn't sleep.
Registered Nurse Cherilyn Lee, who had been caring for the singer, said that Jackson was so worried about the concerts that he repeatedly asked for Diprivan so he could sleep.
Lee said she wouldn't give Jackson the drug because they weren't safe, and warned him against taking Diprivan.
Public memorial planned for Tuesday
Meanwhile, Los Angeles city officials were scrambling to finalize a massive memorial service to the singer, slated to occur Tuesday at the downtown Staples Centre arena.
Assistant Police Chief Earl Paysinger predicted that as many as 700,000 people may try to get to the arena to pay their final respects to Jackson.
There will be 11,000 seats for the Staples Centre and an additional 6,500 for the nearby Nokia Theatre, where organizers plan to show a live simulcast.
Those wishing to attend have been asked to register at Staplescenter.com, and after 6 p.m. on Saturday, 8,750 names will be randomly selected. Those selected will receive a pair of tickets.
City Councillor Jan Perry asked that fans stay home and watch the tribute on television. There will not be a funeral procession through the city.
- CTV.ca will offer a live stream of Tuesday's memorial service from the Staples Centre.
With files from The Associated Press
