Did Demerol Kill Michael Jackson?

Michael Jackson died today (June 25, 2009), and early reports are blaming his death on Demerol, a painkiller; the pop singer allegedly had a history of Demerol abuse.

Reports that Demerol Killed Michael Jackson

When reports of Michael Jackson's death began circulating this afternoon, fans naturally asked, "What caused his death?" The answer according to several news outlets is Demerol.

The Sun cited an Emergency Room "source" at UCLA hospital for the claim that Michael Jackson "collapsed after an injection of potent Demerol." [Source: Nick Parker, The Sun].

The Kansas City Star reported that Jackson had been using a number of prescription drugs, including Demerol, to combat anxiety resulting from preparations for his upcoming UK concerts; the article implies that these drugs caused his death. [Source: Kansas City Star].

What is Demerol?

According to Drugabusehelp.com, Demerol is a prescription drug that produces effects similar to morphine. The site warns that "the major hazard of Demerol is respiratory depression," and adds that other risks include "respiratory arrest, shock, and cardiac arrest." [Source: Drugabusehelp.com].

These side effects are consistent with what we know so far (as of June 25, 2009) about Michael Jackson's death.

Prior Reports of Demerol Abuse by Michael Jackson

This is not, however, the first time people have suggested that Michael Jackson was using, or even abusing, Demerol.

In a 2005 biography called "Michael Jackson, the Man Behind the Mask," authors Bob Jones and Stacy Brown wrote that shortly after the events of September 11, 2001, one of Michael Jackson's staff members reported that "Michael was hooked on Demerol..." The book also alleges that as early as 1993, Jackson "admitted being hooked on painkillers." [Source: Bob Jones and Stacy Brown, pages 114-15]

Another biography claims that contraband seized by police from Jackson's Neverland included "syringes, the drug Demerol, and prescriptions for various drugs that were in different people's names..." [Source: Diane Dimond, pages 320-21]

In 1993 promoters of Jackson's "Dangerous" tour sued him for canceling a tour, alleging, among other things, that the star was addicted to Demerol and morphine. [Source: "Promoters Sue Jackson," Milwaukee Sentinel]

Conclusions

As of this writing, the news reports of Michael Jackson's death are vague enough that it is difficult to know exactly what happened. Based on the evidence thus far, though, it seems possible that Michael Jackson was addicted to Demerol, and that the addiction ultimately ended his life.

Sources

NICK PARKER Chief Foreign. "Michael Jackson's last moments | The Sun |Showbiz|Bizarre." The Sun | The Best for News, Sport, Showbiz, Celebrities & TV | The Sun| The Sun. 26 June 2009 .

Dimond, Diane. Be Careful Who You Love: Inside the Michael Jackson Case. New York: Atria, 2007.

"Drug Abuse Help: Demerol Information." Drug Abuse Help - Honest Drug Abuse Information. 26 June 2009 .

"Promoters Sue Jackson." Milwaukee Sentinel 28 Dec. 1993, sec. C: 1.

"Report: Overdose of prescription drugs may have killed Michael Jackson - Kansas City Star." http://www.kansascity.com. 26 June 2009 .

Michael Jackson, The Man Behind The Mask: An Insider's Story of the King of Pop. New York: Select Books Inc 2005-06-15, 2005.