American President Barack Obama and Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney have paid tribute to pop superstar Michael Jackson, who died Thursday after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles.
“It’s so sad and shocking,” McCartney said in a statement. “I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael. He was a massively talented boy man with a gentle soul. His music will be remembered forever and my memories of our time together will be happy ones.
“I send my deepest sympathy to his mother and the whole family and to his countless fans all around the world.”
At a news conference Friday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked how the president reacted to Jackson’s passing.
“Look, he said to me that obviously Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer, a music icon,” Gibbs told reporters. “I think everybody remembers hearing his songs, watching him moonwalk on television during Motown’s 25th anniversary.”
“But the president also said, you know, look, he had aspects of his life [that] were sad and tragic,” Gibbs continued.
He added that the president’s “condolences went out to the Jackson family and to fans that mourn his loss.”
Jackson’s autopsy was completed Friday. The L.A. County Coroner said there was no trauma to the star’s body and “no indication of foul play”.
The coroner said that Michael had been taking “some prescription medications.”
The coroner said the cause of death was deferred because additional testing — including toxicology and other tests — is needed. It will take 4-6 weeks to complete.
The Sun newspaper reported Friday that Jackson collapsed and stopped breathing after an injection of a powerful painkiller named Demerol, which is similar to morphine, and it is feared he took an overdose.
Jackson had three children — Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II.
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