Wednesday, 1 July 2009 Michael Jackson (file photo)A lawyer for the family of late pop star Michael Jackson says a willfrom 2002 has been discovered, a day after his family said he wasbelieved to have died without one.
The lawyer, Londell McMillan, said a search is on for other documents that could affect the singer's estate.
Meanwhile,the fate of Jackson's body and plans for a public funeral remainunclear. Some reports say the family is planning a public viewing ofthe body Friday at Jackson's Neverland Ranch in California
Monday,Jackson's mother was granted limited control over some of the singer'sproperty, as well as temporary guardianship of his three children, whorange in age from 7 to 12.
Sorting out the estate likely will bea major ordeal, because the singer left behind about $500 million indebt. However, his assets are believed to be worth much more than that.
Inaddition to his own valuable recording catalogue, Jackson owned rightsto music by other artists, including the Beatles, from a joint musicpublishing venture with Sony Corporation.
Funeral arrangementhave not yet been made for Jackson, who died suddenly last Thursday atthe age of 50. His family is awaiting autopsy results that could helpdetermine the cause of his death. The coroner's office in LosAngeles said there were no indications of external trauma or foulplay. But the office said it will take weeks for test results to comeback. Jackson's family ordered a private, second autopsy.
On Monday, officials from the coroner's office visited the pop icon's mansion and removed two large bags of medical evidence.
Thereis speculation that painkillers may have killed the singer, buttoxicology tests are not expected to be completed for several weeks. Alawyer for Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, deniesmedia reports that he prescribed painkillers to the singer.
Jacksondied as he was preparing to launch a series of 50 sold-out comebackconcerts next month. Concert promoter AEG Live has promised to refundticket-holders.
In New York, the Apollo Theater held a publicmemorial for Jackson on Tuesday. The singer won the theater's amateurcontest in 1967, performing with his brothers as The Jackson 5.
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Wednesday, 1 July 2009
VOA News
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