Michael Jacksons Doctor: What Happened to Him after Years in Jail for Killing the King of Pop

June 2024 ยท 6 minute read

Michael Jackson | Dr. Conrad Murray | Source: Getty Images

Michael Jackson, born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, was a legendary American singer, songwriter, and dancer. He gained fame as part of the "Jackson 5" and achieved unprecedented success as a solo artist. His albums "Off the Wall," "Thriller," and "Bad" showcased his diverse musical talents and unforgettable dance skills.

Jackson's music transcended genres, captivating audiences worldwide with his distinctive voice and electrifying performances. He also made a lasting impact on the music video medium, revolutionizing it with iconic productions like "Thriller" and "Billie Jean."

Michael Jackson is pictured performing in concert, circa 1986. | Source: Getty Images

Besides his musical achievements, what kept the King of Pop in the headlines were the many controversies surrounding his personal life, including his health. One such scenario revolved around Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal physician with whom he established a working relationship in 2006.

He briefly addressed the public through a teary-eyed YouTube video, expressing his faith in the truth prevailing.

What set the stage for their association was Dr. Murray's reported debt situation. The two men initially crossed paths when Jackson, a frequent visitor to Las Vegas, reached out to Murray for medical assistance regarding one of his children's unidentified health issues.

Reports indicated that their acquaintance quickly developed into a friendship. As Jackson made plans for his upcoming 2009 concert tour, he hired Dr. Murray as his personal physician, with an astonishing monthly salary of $150,000.

While friendship might not have been the sole motivation behind Jackson bringing Murray on board, the singer's own reliance on prescription medication reportedly played a significant role. Following Jackson's untimely death, authorities discovered more than 20 different prescriptions in his rented Holmby Hills home, including Methadone, Fentanyl, Percocet, Dilaudid, and Vicodin.

Jackson had been struggling with insomnia and reportedly developed a strong desire for propofol, an anesthetic that he called his "milk" or "liquid sleep." Despite Murray's concerns about Jackson's potential addiction to propofol, he was said to have administered nightly intravenous drips of the drug over six weeks.

After an exhaustive rehearsal session on June 25, 2009, Jackson returned home tired and sought rest. Following their usual routine, Dr. Murray was said to have connected Jackson to an intravenous drip, which included propofol and other medications. He briefly left Jackson's side, and upon his return, he found the singer with a weak pulse and not breathing.

Dr. Murray immediately began CPR and administered additional medication, including Flumazenil, to counteract the sedatives already in Jackson's system. However, instead of promptly calling paramedics, it took approximately 82 minutes before Murray or anyone else at the residence contacted emergency services, as reported by sources.

During Murray's trial, his police interview was played, shedding light on 50-year-old Jackson's final hours. According to Murray, Jackson repeatedly pleaded for "milk," emphasizing his desperate need to sleep. Dr. Murray recalled Jackson's last words:

"At that time, he said, 'Can I have some milk?' He said please, please, give him some milk... He said, 'Just make me sleep, doesn't matter what time I get up... I can't function if I can't sleep.'"

Despite Dr. Murray's reported attempts to revive him, the "Remember the Time" singer was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, with Murray at his side. The Grenadian-American doctor was later charged with involuntary manslaughter for his involvement in Jackson's death.

Dr. Conrad Murray waits to leave the courtroom for the day during the final stage of his defense in his involuntary manslaughter trial in the death of singer Michael Jackson at the Los Angeles Superior Court on November 1, 2011, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

What Happened to Conrad Murray after Michael Jackson's Death?

After Jackson's death, Murray's working relationship with the singer was scrutinized by enraged fans and police. In August 2009, his Houston medical office was raided by law enforcement, seizing his computer and medical documents. Preliminary findings from the coroner's office revealed that the megastar's death resulted from lethal levels of propofol, intensifying the anticipation of manslaughter charges against Murray.

Throughout the trial, Murray remained relatively tight-lipped about his association with Jackson and the circumstances surrounding the musician's demise. He briefly addressed the public through a teary-eyed video, expressing his faith in the truth prevailing. However, on November 7, 2011, after a six-week trial and two days of deliberation, a Los Angeles jury found Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

On November 29, 2011, Murray received a maximum sentence of four years in prison. During the sentencing, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor condemned Murray as a "disgrace to the medical profession" and accused him of a "continual pattern of deceit." Murray served approximately two years of his sentence in a Los Angeles County jail before his release in October 2013. Despite his conviction, he continued to appeal his case.

Michael Jackson fans call for justice outside the Los Angeles Superior Court before Doctor Conrad Murray's second court appearance on an involuntary manslaughter charge relating to the death of Michael Jackson in downtown Los Angeles on April 5, 2010. | Source: Getty Images

In addition to his legal woes, Murray faced personal revelations during the trial. Sade Anding, a woman he had been pursuing romantically, expressed anger when she discovered in 2011 that Murray had lied about his personal life. Per Anding, Murray had falsely claimed to have only two children when in fact, he had seven.

Furthermore, he had misrepresented his marital status, stating he was divorced when he was not. These revelations added to the complexities surrounding Murray's character and credibility.

Following his release from prison, Murray lived a reclusive life in a one-bedroom apartment near Fort Lauderdale, keeping a low profile and preferring privacy over the limelight.

Dr. Conrad Murray (2R), his attorney Ed Chernoff (R), and defense team members stand before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Keith L. Schwartz in the County of Los Angeles Airport Branch Courthouse on February 8, 2010, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Inside Dr. Murray's Life Today

Dr. Murray has repeatedly denied his involvement in the singer's death over the years, even after his conviction for involuntary manslaughter and serving two years in jail. He maintained his innocence and blamed other doctors who treated Jackson.

In subsequent interviews, Murray continued to assert that he was not responsible for Jackson's demise and claimed that the singer concealed details about the other drugs he was using. He accused Dr. Arnold Klein of administering high doses of Demerol to Jackson, suggesting that Klein was a more significant factor in the singer's health issues. Murray also denied that Jackson died from propofol.

In 2017, Murray was spotted enjoying life at Carnival in Trinidad, dancing with his girlfriend, Nicole Alvarez. In recent years, he has reportedly returned to the medical field. Murray practices medicine in the Caribbean and has expressed a desire to reinstate his medical license in the United States. He has plans to build a medical center for patients with cardiovascular disease and other ailments.

In June 2023, Dr. Murray opened his own medical institute, the DCM Medical Institute, in El Socorro, San Juan. He spoke about his persistence in facing challenges and commitment to further education and patient care.

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