Fans remember King of Pop with 10,000 red roses
LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson fans left thousands of roses at his tomb on Monday, marking the third anniversary of the King of Pop's accidental death. Jackson died at age 50 on June 25, 2009 from an overdose of propofol, a powerful anesthetic he obtained with the help of his doctor and used as a sleeping aid. Jackson was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, a northern suburb of Los Angeles.
The Great Mausoleum – a replica of the Campo Santo in Genoa, Italy – where Jackson was laid to rest beside several other stars, is strictly forbidden to the public. But fans have developed a habit of laying flowers and small notes in front of the stained glass window of a wall, close to his tomb.
Jackson's fans banned together to collect US$30,000 and deliver 10,000 red roses – the singer's favorite flower – to his tomb, according to celebrity news site TMZ.com.
The roses were laid among sunflowers – left on a weekly basis by one loyal fan, as well teddy bears and other offerings.
Michael Jackson's daughter Paris, now 14, wrote a Tweet Monday: "RIP Michael Jackson. Dad you will forever be in my heart. I love you" Randy Jackson, one of the star's brothers, Tweeted: "RIP Michael Jackson King Of Pop!!!" Justin Bieber also offered his condolences on Twitter.
"You will never be forgotten," Bieber wrote. "Michael Jackson is the epitome of a legend – a true icon that can only, at best, be emulated," Tweeted singer and TV show host Paula Abdul.
Jackson's last doctor, Conrad Murray, was sentenced to four years in prison at a Los Angeles court in November for involuntary manslaughter in the singer's death.
The lawyer in charge of Murray's appeal, Valerie Wass, confirmed Monday that her client regrets not having testified during his trial.
"He absolutely wishes he testified," Wass told The Los Angeles Times. During the trial, witnesses painted an unflattering picture of Murray as incompetent, careless and greedy. AFP