Homicide not ruled out in MJ probe

I / Los Angeles July 11, 2009, 11:51 IST

'King of Pop' Michael Jackson's family prepared today to hold a memorial service in his hometown of Gary, Indiana, as investigators looking into the cause of the megastar's death did not rule out homicide.     

Coroners called for any records held by Jackson's many doctors to be presented, "including radiology and psychiatric records," the Los Angeles Times reported, as part of an ongoing investigation into the star's death at age 50 on June 25.     

Los Angeles police chief Bill Bratton said his department was looking into Jackson's history of prescription drug use, as well as the doctors that he had seen over the years.     

"Are we dealing with homicide? Are we dealing with an accidental overdose? What are we dealing with? So as we are standing here speaking, I can tell you, I don't have that information," Bratton told CNN.     

Meanwhile the late pop superstar's 79-year-old father, Joe Jackson, shared with ABC News that he was suspicious of the circumstances surrounding his son's death.     

Investigators have apparently zeroed in on a powerful sedative — Diprivan — discovered at Jackson's rented mansion after his death.

The drug is commonly used to induce unconsciousness in hospital patients ahead of major surgery and experts say it should only be administered by a trained anesthesiologist.