La Toya Jackson writes of brother's death in book

[June 17, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- La Toya Jackson writes in her new book "Starting Over" that the first question that ran through her mind after she learned of her brother's death was, "Who killed Michael?"

The book is scheduled to go on sale next week, two years after the pop star's death of a sedative overdose. Dr. Conrad Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, and trial is set for September.

La Toya Jackson says her brother often predicted he would be killed over his estate and music publishing catalog.

She also says she learned a lot about Michael's well-being in the days before his death. His daughter Paris told her that "Daddy was always cold" and that "he would always cry."

La Toya Jackson writes that she confronted Dr. Conrad Murray in the hospital shortly after her brother was pronounced dead to find out what happened and that he gave her only "evasion and excuses."

She also writes that she searched Jackson's bedroom and found it "torn to pieces," with furniture overturned and items scattered about. They included notes she believes were written by Michael indicating that he needed his father Joseph's help to get "these people out of my life" and that he "only agreed to 10 shows."

When he died on June 25, 2009, Jackson was a few weeks away from kicking off a string of 50 shows at The O2 Arena in London. Originally only 10 concerts were announced, but tickets sold out in less than an hour and 40 more shows were added.

La Toya Jackson writes that she heard from other people in Michael's life who were suspicious of his final days, including friends and fans.

She won't be the last of her family to share their story. Brother Jermaine Jackson has a book coming out in September.

[Associated Press; By ALICIA RANCILIO]

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