Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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June 29, 2009

Stars Honor Jackson During BET Awards Show
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=250E14C:A6F02AD83191E160DA117FB3D870F2CDC030207A0BD70133&
 
Attendees say they remain shocked over singer's unexpected death 
Janet Jackson thanks the audience for their support during the 9th
Annual BET Awards in Los Angeles, 28 Jun 2009Pop stars and musicians
honored American pop icon Michael Jackson at
the annual Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards show in Los
Angeles. Attendees at the event said they remain shocked by the singer's
unexpected death. In
a statement read by a family representative during the late show
Sunday, Jackson's parents said they have sole custody of the pop star's
three children. Jackson's family ordered a private, second
autopsy to figure out what caused his sudden death last Thursday at his
Los Angeles home. No results have been released. The Los Angeles
County coroner's office conducted an autopsy Friday and said there were
no indications of external trauma or foul play, but said it may take
weeks to examine all the tests and determine the cause of death. A
lawyer for Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, says his client found the
singer unconscious and immediately began efforts to revive him. He
denied reports that Dr. Murray gave Jackson painkillers, which media
reports say might have been behind his death. Jackson
died two months before his 51st birthday as he was preparing to launch
a series of comeback concerts in London next month. U.S. President
Barack Obama sent a message Sunday to Jackson's grieving family,
offering his condolences. Top
White House advisor David Axelrod said Sunday on NBC's Meet The Press
the president saw Jackson as a spectacular performer, but one who led a
sad life. 

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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