Dr. Conrad Murray — Michael Jackson's doctor — interrupted CPR on the dying pop star and delayed calling 911 in order to hide incriminating drug vials, according to new documents acquired by the Associated Press.
Investigators learned this shocking new detail from Jackson's logistics director, Alberto Alverez, who was summoned to the singer's L.A. home June 25, 2009 the day he died at age 50. L.A. coroners ruled Jackson's death a homicide caused by an overdose of propofol (a hospital-grade anesthetic) and two other powerful sedatives.
Arriving in Jackson's bedroom that morning, Alvarez saw the star lying in bed with an IV in his leg, showing no signs of life; Murray was performing CPR with one hand on Jackson.
According to Alvarez's statement, Murray explained that Jackson "had a bad reaction." The 57-year-old cardiologist then asked Alvarez to stow away several vials with rubber tops and an IV bag filled with milky white fluid (Alvarez couldn't identify the medications) into plastic and canvas bags. The doctor waited until the the bags were full before calling 911, Alvarez claimed.
Another bizarre detail from Alvarez's statement: after Jackson was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center that afternoon, Murray allegedly said he needed to fetch cream from Jackson's mansion "so the world wouldn't find out about it."
Alvarez also described how two of Jackson's kids, Prince and Paris, entered the room and cried as they saw their father's near-death state; a nanny reportedly ushered them away.
Murray was charged last month with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death; he pled not guilty. His trial is expected later this year.
Murray's attorney Ed Chernoff disputed Alvarez's claims that he tried to hide any drugs from investigators, telling the Associated Press that statement was "inconsistent with his previous statement. We will deal with that at the trial."
Alvarez's attorney did not reply to the AP's request for comment.