Jackson Doc Gave Fatal Drug Dose: Source

But officials haven't yet determined if singer drowned

(NEWSER) - A coroner's assistant confirms that Whitney Houston was in fact found dead in a hotel room bathtub, People reports. Houston's autopsy also found water in the singer's lungs, TMZ reports, but the medical examiner has not yet determined whether she died by drowning or was dead before she went under. But reports out this morning say that LA County coroner officials told Houston's family that the cause of her death was not drowning, due to the insufficient amount of water found in her lungs. They attributed her death to an apparent combination of Xanax, booze, and other prescription drugs—or so family sources tell TMZ . Toxicology results will take another four to six weeks. More»

Houston's daughter confronts police outside hotel room

(NEWSER) - Specifics are still sketchy in yesterday's sudden death of Whitney Houston . But here's what's beginning to trickle in:

• Houston was found by a member of her entourage on the floor of her Beverly Hills hotel room around 3:30pm, reports the LA Times . Paramedics were called at 3:43pm, and tried CPR for 20 minutes, but were unable to revive her, and she was pronounced dead at 3:55pm.
• No illegal drugs have been found in the room, but TMZ reports that Houston was taking Xanax, and it is possible that she drowned in her bathtub . Combined with alcohol, Xanax can cause extreme sleepiness; the gossip site speculates that Houston fell asleep in the tub.

French fans seek compensation for 'emotional damage'

(NEWSER) - Michael Jackson fans in France are suing the late pop singer's doctor over emotional distress, AFP reports. "It's similar to losing a childhood friend in a traffic accident," says lawyer Emmanuel Ludot, who is representing about 100 grieving fans against doctor Conrad Murray. "Because this death affects you, you have the possibility to file a suit and seek compensation." More»

Michael's daughter remembers dad on 'Ellen' interview

(NEWSER) - In a poignant interview airing today on Ellen, Paris Jackson says that dad Michael once told her, “If I die tomorrow, always remember what I told you.” And, she says, “I took his advice and I remembered everything he told me.” She also related how he influenced her to pursue an acting career, E! reports. “My dad was in the movie Moonwalker and I knew he could sing really well, but I didn't know he could act. I saw that and I said, ‘Wow, I want to be just like him,’” she says. More»

Michael Jackson's doctor gets 4 years

(NEWSER) - Dr. Conrad Murray was hit with the maximum sentence of four years' imprisonment today for his role in the death of Michael Jackson. Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter , will serve his time in county jail rather than prison because he is a non-violent felon, TMZ reports. It is also likely he will serve just half of his sentence. The judge ordered Murray to pay restitution to Jackson's family, but the amount will be decided at a later date; he was also ordered to pay $870 in fines and fees. More»