Posted Jun 29th 2009 6:32PM by TMZ Staff
AEG has promised a full refund for tickets to Michael Jackson's 50 London concert dates -- if you bought your tickets through an "authorized dealer."
In a statement that was set to be released in a couple of hours -- that somehow leaked -- AEG promises "the refunds will be processed by each of the authorised ticket agencies (e.g. Ticketmaster, Viagogo, See or Ticketline)."
And the statement says fans "will have the option to be sent the actual tickets" for the show. Translation -- one hell of an expensive keepsake.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Posted Jun 29th 2009 6:20PM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson bought some pretty expensive art two weeks before he died.
On June 11, Jackson purchased a picture of the Wicked Witch of the West, a painting called "The Donut Queen," and a painting called "Play Ball." The artist for all three works was Nelson De La Nuez. Jackson plunked down $13,000 for the three items, which were delivered to his home on June 15.
We're told Jackson was "obsessed" with the Wicked Witch painting.
Here's the weirdest part. Someone from AEG handled the money side of the transaction. We have the bank wire -- AEG dealt directly with the art seller.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Photo Galleries
Posted Jun 29th 2009 2:49PM by TMZ Staff
Just two days before he died, Michael Jackson practiced his moves during a rehearsal at Staples Center in L.A. for the London concerts.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Photo Galleries
Posted Jun 29th 2009 2:26PM by TMZ Staff
Sources tell TMZ it increasingly looks like Michael Jackson died from a drug overdose.
We've already reported that Jackson got a Demerol injection the morning he died. We're told more than one drug may be involved.
The LAPD is still conducting an active investigation.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Posted Jun 29th 2009 2:04PM by TMZ Staff
Initial papers have been filed with the court to probate Michael Jackson's estate. But it seems Jackson's mom and dad don't know Jackson had a will.
The petition was filed by Michael's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson. But here's the thing. The papers say Jackson died "intestate" -- that means, without a will.
But we've learned Jackson's long-time lawyer, John Branca, who just came back on board 3 weeks ago, has a will Jackson signed that he intends to file within 30 days.
The petition asks that Katherine be named as administrator of the will ... meaning she wants to call the shots.
The papers say Debbie Rowe will be served with notice of a hearing.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Posted Jun 29th 2009 1:13PM by TMZ Staff
We've learned Michael Jackson's lawyer has a copy of the singer's will and he intends to file it with the court.
We're told the Jackson family doesn't have a copy of the will in attorney John Branca's possession. It's unclear how many wills Jackson made but Branca believes it's the most current.
Branca has a long history with Jackson. In 1985, Branca brokered the deal for Jackson to purchase The Beatles' publishing catalogue.
Branca and Jackson stopped working together in 2006 but the singer hired him back just three weeks ago.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Posted Jun 29th 2009 1:07PM by TMZ Staff
Katherine Jackson, Michael Jackson's mother, has been granted temporary guardianship of Michael's three kids.
A hearing is set for next Monday on the matter.
Story developing ...
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Posted Jun 29th 2009 11:48AM by TMZ Staff
A guardianship petition has been filed for Michael Jackson's children by Katherine Jackson, the grandma.
She is asking the court to appoint her as the guardian for all three kids.
The petition states the kids have "no relationship with their biological mother."
According to the petition, the kids are in the care of Katherine and they have "a long established relationship."
The petition says the value of Michael Jackson's assets are unknown at this time.
Debbie Rowe is named as mother of two children in the petition.
As for why Katherine thinks it would be "best" to appoint her guardian, "Minor children are currently residing with paternal grandmother. They have a long-established relationship with paternal grandmother and are comfortable in her care."
The petition says it's "not known at this time" whether the mother (Rowe) agrees that Katherine should be the legal guardian.
As for Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II -- MJ's third child -- the box where it says "mother" is checked "none." The DOB is listed as January 21, 2002.
A hearing is now set for August 3 to hear the petition.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Posted Jun 29th 2009 11:46AM by TMZ Staff
The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner just announced the results of Billy Mays' autopsy -- and said there was no connection between Billy's death and Saturday's rough aircraft landing.
Billy had admitted to suffering a blow to the head when the front tires of US Airways Flight 1421 blew upon landing -- but the doc said he found "no signs of internal or external head trauma."
Dr. Chrostowski said Billy most likely died from complications due to heart disease. He said the autopsy showed "hypertensive and arteriosclerotic disease of the heart" -- which is known to cause sudden death.
The doc said Billy -- who was scheduled to have his third hip replacement surgery today -- had prescriptions for tramadol and hydrocodone, but said Mays had no history of drug abuse and "the counts of remaining medication are correct."
The doc will announce the official cause of death once all test results are in.
Filed under: Billy Mays
Posted Jun 29th 2009 11:14AM by TMZ Staff
We've learned the story making the rounds detailing the terrible condition of Michael Jackson's body is a fake.
A report in The Sun gave harrowing details of the body, but we've learned the "autopsy report" was fabricated and completely false.
UPDATE: The Los Angeles County coroner just released the following statement:
"The report that is being published did not come from this office. I don't know where the information came from, or who that information came from. It is not accurate. Some of it is totally false."
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Posted Jun 29th 2009 11:10AM by TMZ Staff
We've learned actress Diane Keaton was injured on the set of her new film in New York this morning and had to be removed by stretcher.
But have no fear, a rep for Paramount Studios told ET Diane was "taken to a hospital for precautionary tests and has been cleared to return to work tomorrow."
Filed under: Paparazzi Video, Movies, Nurse!
Posted Jun 29th 2009 11:09AM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has obtained the 911 call made from the home of Billy Mays, where he was found dead yesterday morning.
During the emotional call, Billy's wife is asked to move his body from the bed to the floor so she can perform CPR -- just like in the Michael Jackson 911 call -- but then an unknown male takes the phone to tell the dispatcher, "It's too late."
We're told by Tampa police officials the mystery male heard in the call was a family friend who was visiting from out of town.
Click here... it's not over yet
Filed under: Billy Mays
Posted Jun 29th 2009 11:01AM by TMZ Staff
When Britney Spears Twittered about her lady parts having "razor sharp teeth" back in January -- it was obvious (to most) she'd fallen victim to a Twitter-hack ... so her alleged death this weekend wasn't exactly a doozy.
Spears' people confirmed that her Twitpic account had been hacked again Saturday, when someone Twittered on her page: "Britney has passed today. It is a sad day for everyone. More news to come."
Brit's peeps have confirmed that she's just fine, y'all!
Filed under: Britney Spears
Posted Jun 29th 2009 11:00AM by TMZ Staff
Bernie Madoff was just sentenced to 150 years in prison.
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice
Posted Jun 29th 2009 9:27AM by TMZ Staff
Now we know why Dr. Conrad Murray administered CPR on Michael Jackson's bed, even though it's routinely performed on a hard surface -- it was a "firm bed."
Murray's lawyer, Edward Chernoff, was on "GMA" this morning defending his client's actions after finding Michael unconscious in his bedroom.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
