How to Read Michael Jackson Autopsy Results

Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009. Initial reports mentioned cardiac arrest due to an overdose of the prescription painkiller, Demerol, administered by private doctor, as the likely cause of death.

However, police in LA made it clear that the Los Angeles County coroner’s office would determine the cause of death.

According to the coroner's office, Dr. Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran is performing the autopsy. This doctor, as it happens, was a star witness in the O.J. Simpson murder trial.

When it becomes public, you can read the Michael Jackson autopsy results for yourself or study a summary posted by the news.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 

   Read the cause of death stated on the autopsy. Also note any OSC's (Other Significant Causes) that may be listed.
   
   A medical autopsy is a thorough medical procedure performed on a corpse to find the exact cause of death. In the case of Michael Jackson's autopsy results, it will be shown whether or not he died from the painkiller drugs, a combination of causes, or an existing condition.

2. 
   Michael Jackson in life

   Look up any terms with which you are unfamiliar. In addition to Michael Jackson's cause of death, there will be a good deal of other information in the report, including a description of the appearance of the body, the respective health of bodily organs, and other observations from the coroner in charge of the autopsy.

3. Note whether the death was considered natural or unnatural. If Michael Jackson's autopsy results point to a heart attack stemming from an undiagnosed heart condition as the primary cause of death, it would be considered natural. An unnatural death would be one with suspicious circumstances, or due to homicide, suicide or accident.

4. 

   Find out more about Michael Jackson's autopsy reports by reading or viewing discussions and commentary by other medical professionals. These experienced doctors and personnel can shed light on obscure parts of the autopsy, as well as go into more detail about the cause of his death from a medical perspective.

Tips & Warnings

• Reading an autopsy takes some practice if the terms are unfamiliar.

Resources

• Michael Jackson's Greates Hits
• Thriller by Michael Jackson

[jamiekucharski]

on 7/8/2009 Thanks for sharing how to read MJ's autopsy report. It cleared a few things up in my mind about the meaning of certain medical terms.

[shenandoah]

on 6/30/2009 Good article on a grim subject.