Jackson Death Investigation Continues

Los Angeles (myFOXla.com) - The investigation into the death of pop star Michael Jackson focused Saturday on how the pop singer got prescription drugs -- and from whom.

Investigators are looking into the activities of at least five doctors who prescribed drugs to Jackson, the Los Angeles Times reported.

No information has been released from two autopsies conducted on the King of Pop, but speculation continues to focus on the possibility of a drug overdose, and specifically on the anesthetic propofol, which investigators reportedly found at the Holmby Hills mansion where Jackson went into full cardiac arrest June 25.

Propofol, marketed under the brand name Diprivan, is a strong anesthetic used in surgical and clinical settings. Because of its milky consistency and powerful effects, the medical community has nicknamed the drug "milk of anesthesia" or "milk of amnesia," according to The Times.

Last weekend, police detectives questioned Jackson's in-house doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, who was at the home when Jackson stopped breathing.

Murray's attorney, Ed Chernoff, said earlier that the doctor had nothing to do with the pop star's death and will fully cooperate with investigators.

"He is not a suspect but a witness," he said.

LAPD Officer Rosario Herrera confirmed that investigators questioned Murray and said he was cooperating.

However, medical experts pointed out that Murray is an anesthesiologist who could have had access to propofol, which is not meant for home use, and that it was highly unusual for a personal doctor to be an anesthesiologist rather than a general practitioner or some other specialty.

Randy Phillips, chief executive of AEG Live, which was producing Jackson's series of concerts in London, earlier told a Houston television station that Jackson had demanded that Dr. Murray be added to Jackson's payroll.

Demerol and OxyContin, also known "hillbilly heroin," are among the other painkillers that Jackson was allegedly using.

As with many celebrities, it is believed Jackson got painkillers through multiple doctors and by using multiple names.

The celebrity gossip Web site TMZ.com reported that Jackson "made the rounds" at Los Angeles doctors' offices, often getting anesthesia for minor outpatient procedures that do not normally require painkillers.

The Web site cited anonymous sources who said Jackson's body had multiple injection marks, and that he used a slew of aliases, including Omar Arnold and Jack London, along with the name of a bodyguard and the office manager of one of his doctors, to obtain prescription medications.

Both the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the state Attorney General's Office have joined the investigation into Jackson's death.

State investigators are using a computer database to mine for information on prescription drugs to be passed on to investigators with the LAPD's Robbery- Homicide Division.

The database contains the name of doctors who have prescribed controlled substances, the names on prescriptions, the quantity and date.

If it turns out that Jackson died from a painkiller, and investigators can trace the drug to a specific doctor, it's possible the physician could face manslaughter charges, TMZ noted.

Investigators took drugs and other medical evidence from the Holmby Hills estate where Jackson was stricken and are looking into whether the painkillers were properly prescribed and whether they contributed to his death, The Times reported.

Some of the prescriptions were made out to Jackson aliases, and some pill bottles no prescription labels, sources told The Times.

One source told the newspaper that "numerous bottles" of Diprivan were found at the home, some full and others empty, and none had prescription labels.

It is unknown whether prescription drugs contributed to Jackson's death, as the Los Angeles County coroner's office is awaiting the results of toxicology tests.

The DEA is expected to look into whether doctors who prescribed painkillers to Jackson actually saw the entertainer before giving him drugs, as required by law, according to The Times.