Michael Jackson's autopsy uncovered heartbreaking details about the legend's health and appearance prior to his death. The King of Pop was just 50 when he was pronounced dead on June 25, 2009, with the official cause being cardiac arrest. He died from a lethal mix of sedatives administered by his personal physician, Conrad Murray, with acute propofol intoxication listed as a contributing factor.
Cause of Death and Legal Aftermath
Jackson overdosed on propofol and benzodiazepines, and the death was ruled a homicide. Paramedics arrived three minutes after an ambulance was called but found him not breathing and could not resuscitate him. He was declared dead at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre. Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter in February 2010, found guilty, and sentenced to four years in prison. He was released on parole in October 2013.
Physical Condition at Death
Jackson weighed a frail 8st 10lbs (about 123 pounds) at the time of his death. His stomach contained only partially dissolved pills, as he survived on just one meal a day. His body was covered in needle marks from painkiller injections, and signs of plastic surgery indicated years of health struggles. Mysterious bruises and cuts on his knees and shins suggested a recent fall. Near his deathbed, police discovered a sealed bottle of urine, catheters, needles, and an oxygen tank.
Scalp and Wig
Jackson's scalp was essentially bare beneath his wig, tied only to sparse threads. Police described his natural hair as "sparse and connected to a wig," revealing he was coping with frontal balding, hence the glued-on hairpiece. The star sported only patches of "peach fuzz" along with noticeable scars. A source told The Sun at the time: "He was skin and bone, his hair had fallen out, and he had been eating nothing but pills when he died." Jackson's wig troubles dated back to 1984 when his hair caught fire during a Pepsi commercial shoot, causing second and third degree burns.
Tattoos and Skin Condition
Jackson had several tattoos to alter his appearance. He suffered from vitiligo, a skin pigmentation condition that caused white patches across his chest, face, arms, and belly. His lips were tattooed pink, his eyebrows were tattooed black, and the front part of his scalp was darkened to match his hairline.
Other Medical Findings
The autopsy revealed an enlarged prostate and that Jackson was wearing a condom catheter due to incontinence. He had a neck catheter and a balloon pump in his artery to treat a heart condition. His ribs were cracked from CPR attempts. The report noted his testes were "in the scrotum and are unremarkable and without trauma."
