Michael Jackson totally sleep-deprived when he died, expert tells jury

22 June 2013 - 13:22 By Sapa-AP
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Michael Jackson. File photo
Michael Jackson. File photo

An expert told a jury that Michael Jackson exhibited symptoms of someone who was totally sleep-deprived when he died.

Dr. Charles Czeisler told the panel that the singer’s weight loss, and difficulty remembering dance moves and the lyrics to his own songs were all consistent with someone who hadn’t gotten any real sleep in a long time.

The Harvard professor is testifying as a sleep expert in a lawsuit filed by the singer’s mother against concert promoter AEG Live LLC.

The sleep deprivation was likely caused by Jackson’s use of the anesthetic propofol, which Czeisler says would put the singer in a drug-induced coma and not meet his body’s need for actual sleep.

Katherine Jackson claims AEG missed warning signs about her son’s health.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now