MJ's funeral remains a mystery as tour rehearsal pics surface

Photo credit: Urbanite

Jackson rehearsing for London tour, two days before his death (Photo by Kevin Mazur/AEG via Getty Images)

By Marlene Naanes

mnaanes@am-ny.com

The King of Pop is dead, but he won’t be buried until his family gets the results of a private autopsy, Michael Jackson’s father said yesterday.

Joe Jackson also knocked down reports that his son will be buried at the fabled Neverland ranch, which some had suggested could become the West Coast’s answer to Graceland.

“When we get the plan, you’ll hear about it,” Jackson told reporters at a news conference outside his San Fernando Valley home.While the funeral is on hold, New Yorkers today will get an early chance to honor Jackson. An Apollo Theater memorial starts at 2 p.m. with videos; a eulogy by the Rev. Al Sharpton will follow after 5 p.m. Fans also will be allowed to place mementos at the foot of the stage.

Back in Los Angeles, the focus very much remains on what killed the pop star. TMZ reported Jackson likely died from a drug overdose, quoting sources who also said more than one drug may be involved.

Final results from the county coroner’s autopsy could still be weeks away. The coroner continues to investigate, and staffers in search of Jackson’s medications removed two large bags from his rented Bel Air mansion yesterday.

The coroner also slapped down a British tabloid’s claim that it had exclusive access to an autopsy report, which said Jackson’s stomach was full of pills and he only weighed 112 pounds, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The fate of his children and estate also kept the courts busy.

The superstar’s mother, Katherine Jackson, won temporary guardianship of his three children. A judge will hear her request to keep them permanently on July 6.

The same judge refused a request to name her as administrator of the children’s estates amid reports that she wants to take control of her son’s estate. TMZ reported that Michael Jackson’s personal attorney has the singer’s will, and said he will file it in court in 30 days.

Also yesterday:

A family attorney said the Jackson’s have not heard from Debbie Rowe, the mother of the pop star’s two eldest children.

The concert promoter released photos from a rehearsal for the tour held two days before Jackson’s death.

A video shot by Jackson two weeks ago features a cemetery similar to the one in the “Thriller” video.

With AP

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