Jackson family 'want new autopsy'

Relatives of Michael Jackson will seek a second autopsy on the star because they still have unanswered questions about his death, family friends say.

Veteran politician Rev Jesse Jackson, who has been counselling the family, said they were upset the official cause of death might not be known for weeks.

He said the family wanted answers from the star's personal doctor, Conrad Murray, who was with him when he died.

Coroners ruled out foul play after an initial autopsy on the 50-year-old.

But they gave no cause of death, saying the results of toxicology tests could take weeks to come back.

Jackson's family have also spoken of their grief at his death.

In a statement issued by his father Joseph Jackson, the star's relatives called it "one of the darkest moments of our lives".

"It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times," the statement said.

The family also thanked fans for their messages of support.

The Reverend Al Sharpton, a family friend, said that Jackson's relatives were considering the idea of simultaneous global celebrations to commemorate his life.

This was because they wanted people to focus on the entertainer's music rather than his problems, Rev Sharpton said.

'Questions of substance'

A spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department said investigators had briefly spoken to Jackson's personal doctor, but they wanted to speak to him again.

A lawyer for Dr Murray said the physician had agreed to answer questions from detectives.

"Contrary to what has been out there, Dr Murray has been co-operating with authorities from the outset and will continue to do so," Bill Stradley told Reuters news agency.

Jesse Jackson said the family had a flurry of questions of their own for the doctor.

"When did the doctor come? What did he do? Did they inject him, if so with what," he said.

The rights leader claimed Dr Murray had gone missing in the hours immediately following the singer's death, which raised "questions of substance that will not go away until they are answered".

"He owes it to the family and to the public to say: 'These were the last hours of Michael's life and here's what happened.'"

Jackson, who had a history of health problems, collapsed at his Los Angeles home at about midday on Thursday.

A recording of the telephone call made to emergency services from his home was released on Friday.

The caller is heard to say Jackson is unconscious and has stopped breathing, and that a doctor is trying to revive him.

The singer was pronounced dead at the UCLA medical centre two hours after the call was made.