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Everyone remembers where they were when something important or life-changing breaks in the news, it is almost as if time stands still just long enough to leave its indelible impression. Yesterday, millions of people the world over were left shocked and utterly speechless upon learning about the untimely death of legendary pop music icon, Michael Jackson. There are some in Jackson?s close personal circle who have come out in the press saying that while it was shocking, they were not truly surprised.

Michael Jackson first broke into the music industry at the tender age of five and achieved a career that spanned a lifetime, reaching heights that one can only dream about. His songs are memorable, his dance moves were incredible, his stage presence intoxicating and vibrant. He was a consummate professional and his appeal was universal and widespread, reaching all four corners of the globe. Throughout his long and prosperous career he had an impressive total of 13 songs that climb the charts to number one, released 12 albums, 6 films and 13 music videos.

The music was cut short on June 25th, 2009 at 2:26 p.m., when Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center in California. The apparent cause of death was first attributed to cardiac arrest, but media reports are speculating now as to the underlying reason Jackson died. Some are saying it was due to the stress of performing a series of sold-out concerts set to begin in July, others are sighting something more sinister was behind the demise of the musical genius. With parallels being made to the tragic details surrounding the sad deaths of Anna Nicole Smith and Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson may have met his end due to misuse of prescription drugs.

How bad was Jackson?s addiction to prescription drugs? Some would say the descent into prescription drug abuse first began in the early1990?s, as a result of Jackson?s image beating in light of child molestation charges. It is speculated during this time that he began taking prescription painkillers, Valium, Ativan and Xanax to cope with the stressful allegations that were made against him. During the fall of 1993, some allege Jackson was in full-blown drug addiction. At some point during this time frame, Jackson?s good friend Dame Elizabeth Taylor was instrumental in getting him into drug rehabilitation.

With the mounting investigation and accompanying personal humiliation, Jackson further descended into a dangerous pattern of behavior. He is said to have ceased eating and suffered a significant weight loss, further suffering dangerous health related complications. Due to the debilitating stress, his financial advisors and legal counsel urged him to settle the matter out of court, believing he could not physically withstand the rigors and shame of a lengthy trial played out in the public eye.

News of continued drug use was brought to light again in 2007, during which time a deposition Jackson gave in regards to business agreements signed with former manager Dieter Wiesner. He denied any knowledge of signing his name to contracts, and when asked in a court deposition about being under the influence of prescription drugs, Jackson replied weakly,? I could have been.? Other questions about his personal drug use elicited responses of ?I don?t know,? or ?I?m not sure.? For Michael Jackson to publicly on record, admit to being ?impaired? to the point of memory loss is a startling testimony to how possibly serious his drug use had grown over the years.

In 2006, the entire Jackson family is said to have harbored a great concern and fear about Michael?s growing dependence on prescription medications. According to various media sources, the Jackson?s staged an intervention in Las Vegas which is said to have gone terribly wrong and backfired on the family. Michael Jackson was said to have been angry and denied having a drug problem at the time.

More recently, those close to Jackson sited the singer being ?listless? and experiencing a decline in health due to the physical exertion required to train for his upcoming world tour. In recent months the singer had been looking gaunt and fragile, which he tried to hide by wearing heavy make-up and surgical masks when out in public.

Currently, the body of Michael Jackson has been moved to the Los Angeles, California coroner?s office for autopsy and toxicology testing. The death of one of the world?s greatest entertainers is shrouded in secrecy and controversy, to which one can only ponder and question. Was his death the results of physical exhaustion and stress coupled with prescription drug misuse or was it just a simple sudden, tragic passing? The world waits on baited breath for further information.