Jackson's Brain Still in Coroner's Hands
Family mum on burial plans a day after mega memorial
By XANA O'NEILL
Updated 2:04 PM CST, Wed, Jul 8, 2009
Michael Jackson's brain, or at least part of it, was still being held by investigators on the day of his star-studded memorial service and will only be returned to the King of Pop's family for burial once a battery of neuropathology tests has been completed.
"As soon as we are done with the brain, we will return it," Los Angeles Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said on Tuesday. "There is a whole series of tests that will be done."
The revelation came on the same day that Jackson's body was placed inside the gold-plated casked featured center stage during his memorial service that drew thousands to the Staples Center in Los Angeles, including stars Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, and Justin Timberlake, among many others.
Standing in front of her father's gilded coffin, a tearful Paris, 11, said a heartfelt good bye to her dad as the world watched the moving memorial broadcast.
"Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father I could imagine," little Paris said. "I just want to say I love him so much."
Exactly when Jackson's brain will be returned and where his body will end up is not clear as his final resting place remains shrouded in mystery.
Shortly after the young girl's emotional speech, the coffin was whisked out of the arena -- but no one would say where it was headed, FOX News reported.
The Jackson family gathered for lunch in Beverly Hills after the memorial in Los Angeles but neither Jackson's casket nor the hearse that carried it from a private memorial to the Staples Center had been spotted, the New York Daily News reported.
It was initially believed Jackson would be buried in the Forest Lawn cemetery in Hollywood Hills where his family hosted a private memorial Tuesday morning. But Jackson's death certificate -- which does not list the cause of death -- names the cemetery for temporary use only, signaling that his family may have plans to move him elsewhere.
Rumors circulated that the family planned to send a decoy hearse to Forest Lawn Memorial Park but the ruse never came to fruition.
Some have speculated that Jackson would be buried at his famed Neverland Ranch. Special permission would be required to do so since California law prohibits burial outside of a cemetery. Michael's brother Jermaine said last week he hoped Neverland would be Jackson's "final resting place."
The assistant chief coroner said he had no information on the family's burial plans.
"The last I heard, they are not burying the body yet," Winter told the Associated Press.
It is not uncommon for the coroner to hold on to a brain or samples from it. Winter said families sometimes delay burying a loved one until after the brain has been returned, but he had received no word from the Jackson family about their intentions.
Police and coroner's officials continue to probe what killed the 50-year-old singer on June 25.
Also in question is who will take custody of Jackson's three kids. The singer made clear in a 2002 will he wants his kids to remain in the care of his mom, Katherine.
Debbie Rowe, the biological mother of Paris and 12-year-old Prince Michael indicated she may seek custody. On Wednesday, Rowe's former employer and longtime Jackson dermatologist Dr. Arnie Klein did little to dispel rumors that he is the biological father of the kids, telling "Good Morning America" that, "To the best of my knowledge, I'm not the father."
In other Jackson news:
The makers of the film "Bruno" cut a scene featuring Jackson's sister La Toya because of fears it was in poor taste following the singer's death, according to Agence France Presse. In the scene, comedian Sacha Baron Cohen jokes about Michael while he and La Toya eat sushi off the naked bodies of workmen at his apartment and he then tries to steal Michael's number from her phone.
Jackson's family is reportedly planning a second memorial for Aug. 29, which would have been the singer's 51st birthday. No further details were available.
First Published: Jul 8, 2009 5:56 AM CST
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