Police Question Michael Jackson's Doctor

Police in Los Angeles have questioned Michael Jackson's doctor, as a second postmortem was believed to be taking place in an attempt to answer many of the questions surrounding the pop star's death.

Conrad Murray, the singer's personal cardiologist, "is in no way a suspect" and "answered every and all questions asked by LAPD in an attempt to help piece together the mysteries surrounding the death of Michael Jackson", a spokeswoman for his attorney said today.

The Rev Jesse Jackson, a close friend of the Jackson family, said they had deep concerns over allegations linked to Jackson's prescription drug use and the role of Murray in the last hours of the singer's life.

Murray was there when Jackson, 50, collapsed, but, contrary to standard practice, did not sign the death certificate.

A former nanny who looked after Jackson's children said today the star had his stomach pumped "many times" after taking prescription drugs.

Grace Rwaramba, 42, told the Sunday Times: "I had to pump his stomach many times. He always mixed so much of it.

"There was one period that it was so bad that I didn't let the children see him ... He always ate too little and mixed too much."

The spokeswoman for Ed Chernoff, Murray's attorney, added: "During the meeting Dr Murray helped identify the circumstances around the death of the pop icon and clarified some inconsistencies.

"Dr Murray has been in Los Angeles since the death of Mr Jackson. He rode in the ambulance to the hospital and stayed at the hospital for hours comforting and consoling the Jackson family. Investigators say the doctor is in no way a suspect and remains a witness to this tragedy.

"Dr Murray will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities and asks that all keep the Jackson family in their prayers."

The spokeswoman said Jackson hired Murray to accompany him on his sell-out comeback shows in London and that the doctor would remain in Los Angeles as long as his assistance was needed with the investigation.

Jesse Jackson said the family had a series of questions they wanted answered: "When did the doctor come? What did he do? Did he inject him? If so, with what? Was he on the scene twice? Did he use the Demerol? It's a very powerful drug. Was he injected once? Was he injected twice?"

Brian Elias, lieutenant at Los Angeles county department of coroner, said: "My understanding is that they [the family] have requested a second autopsy. But we have no way of confirming that. The body is in a mortuary and if they want to proceed with a separate autopsy, it is up to them."

Last night Jackson's manager, Frank DiLeo, described breaking the news of their father's death to Jackson's three children, Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael, seven, known as "Blanket". "Michael's mother Katherine was with them. They were waiting there together for news. I think she feared the worst, but the children had no idea their whole world had ended."

DiLeo added: "Whatever anyone thought of Michael, he was loved by those children, truly loved. They were – and are – in pieces."

The children's grandmother is looking after them in the home in the Los Angeles suburb of Encino that Jackson bought for her. Last night, DiLeo told how the "outpouring of emotion is something I shall live with for the rest of my life". He said: "It was the single most painful moment of my life. I cannot tell you how difficult it was. Those children just fell to pieces. The emotions poured forth."

Last night, the Rev Al Sharpton, a friend of the singer's, said the Jackson family were considering a series of simultaneous global celebrations to make sure Michael is remembered for his music. He has been asked to meet the family today and said they were "frustrated" at the attention being paid to Jackson's personal problems.

Jackson's family also want to know more about the role of AEG Live, the concert promoter due to stage his 50-date concert series at London's 02 Arena. They want to investigate the role of his advisers and representatives and believe they were put in place by the promoter.

According to AEG Live, Jackson summoned the cardiologist to Los Angeles to help him prepare for his gruelling concert schedule. Jackson had been losing weight and missing rehearsals, but the team with him the night before he died insisted he was back on top form.

Randy Phillips, chief executive of AEG Live, said the company was due to advance a significant amount of money to Murray and the doctor was to accompany Jackson to Britain.

Murray has not been seen in public since the death, and police have impounded a car found at Jackson's home that belonged to Murray's sister. But they do not suspect foul play.

Since he died, Jackson's alleged use of prescription drugs has emerged as the main focus of inquiry of those who are seeking to understand why he suffered a cardiac arrest.

News reports have described a massive regimen of powerful painkillers, including daily injections of Demerol and OxyContin, both of which are opiates. Jackson was injected with Demerol an hour before he collapsed.

He was believed to have several personal doctors, and Murray is thought to have been living at Jackson's home. Asked if the Jackson family were concerned about Murray's role, Jesse Jackson said: "They have good reason to be ... he left the scene."

In a three-hour autopsy on Friday, the Los Angeles county coroner's office said determination of the cause of the star's death would be deferred because the medical examiner had ordered additional toxicology, neuropathology and pulmonary tests. The results will not be available for four to six weeks.

The death of Jackson has dominated global news media. What will happen to his estate and his children has yet to be sorted out and is likely to dominate headlines for weeks. Particular attention is focused on Jackson's funeral, which could rival the public outpourings of emotion that marked the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.