Michael Jackson's doctors scrutinized; drugs prescribed by at least five

LOS ANGELES — Investigators are focusing on at least five doctors who prescribed drugs to Michael Jackson as they try to unravel the circumstances surrounding the pop star's death, law-enforcement sources said.

Authorities removed drugs and other medical evidence from the Los Angeles mansion where Jackson was stricken and are trying to determine whether the medications were prescribed properly and whether they played any role in his death.

Some prescriptions were made out in the name of Jackson pseudonyms, and in some cases, the drugs had no prescription labels, the sources said.

The five doctors were not identified.

One of the most tantalizing clues so far is the discovery of what one source described as "numerous bottles" of the powerful sedative Diprivan at the home. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said some bottles were full and others were empty. None bore prescription labels, and investigators are trying to determine how Jackson, 50, got the drugs.

Diprivan is supposed to be administered by a person trained to provide anesthesia, such as an anesthesiologist or a certified registered nurse anesthetist, typically in a hospital. Experts expressed alarm that it would be used at a private home.

"It's a very dangerous drug if self-administered or administered by someone not trained in airway management and cardiac life support," said Ethan Bryson, an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. "You need to have someone who knows what they are doing when they administer it."

It remains unknown whether prescription drugs played any role in Jackson's death June 25. The L.A. County Coroner's Office is awaiting the results of toxicology test before listing a cause of death.

Los Angeles officials, meanwhile, prepared for massive crowds downtown during Tuesday's public memorial for Jackson at Staples Center, even though only 17,500 tickets were offered to the public.

Assistant Police Chief Earl Paysinger said from 250,000 to 700,000 people may try to reach the arena.

As of Saturday evening, more than 524,330 people had registered online in hopes of getting tickets, according to the family.

Material from The Associated Press is included in this report.