Police treating 'Jackson's death as homicide'

The Los Angeles Police Department is treating Michael Jackson's death as a homicide and is focusing on doctor Conrad Murray, entertainment website TMZ.com reported yesterday.

The pop icon's family has spoken of "unanswered questions" concerning Dr Murray's role in the final hours of Mr Jackson's life. Dr Murray's lawyers insist he has been cleared of wrongdoing.

TMZ, citing "multiple" law enforcement sources, said "the evidence points to the anesthesia Propofol as the primary cause of Mr Jackson's death".Law enforcement sources told TMZ there was already "plenty of powerful evidence" pointing to Dr Murray, 51, as the person who administered the drug, whose brand name is Diprivan, to the "King of Pop".

The evidence, TMZ said, includes items found in Mr Jackson's rented mansion, including Propofol, an IV stand and an oxygen tank.

The drug is used to induce unconsciousness in hospital patients ahead of major surgery and experts say it should only be administered by a trained anesthesiologist.

The LAPD has already had "multiple conversations with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, even though the case has not yet been formally presented to the district attorney, the celebrity website said.