Leaving the country to wander the globe for two years. Sightings of Jackson had become increasingly random and bizarre. ibid.
In Japan signing autographs for six thousand dollars a throw. ibid.
In London he appeared at the World Music Awards and was booed off stage before he could sing a note. ibid.
1987: inventing an award for Reagan to give to him. He was given so many awards he ran out of awards to be given. ibid.
The story emerging was much darker and more complex than I’d imagined. ibid.
If Michael Jackson was having a relationship with Jordi Chandler, why was nobody stopping him? ibid.
It was only after negotiations finally broke down that the police got involved. ibid.
Even stranger was the secret chamber behind the bedroom. ibid.
‘It was at the Mirage hotel and he was holding court with groups of boys.’ ibid.
Only one person spoke out – Jackson’s sister Latoya: ‘I have seen cheques to the parents of these children for a great amount, and I am not talking pennies.’ ibid.
I’ve always been fascinated by the pop star Michael Jackson. Over the last few years I’ve made several approaches to see if he’d be interested in collaborating on a documentary. I never heard back. But in the summer of 2002 I decided to make a start without him. Louis Theroux: Louis, Martin & Michael, BBC 2003
Martin Bashir, the ITV journalist, had been seen going to a meeting with Michael. ibid.
The next day Michael’s baby-dangling was big news. ibid.
To his millions of fans Michael Jackson is an icon. But despite the king of pop’s massive success his personal life was filled with controversy. After repeatedly forging relationships with young boys, Jackson’s motives were constantly questioned. And twice investigated by police. But the international superstar is worth millions and either uses his wealth to pay off accusers or hire the best investigators and lawyers money can buy to fight the case in court. Rich & Acquitted: Michael Jackson on Trial, Channel 5 Select 2018
Former prosecutor Robins Sax says that the unusual amount of time Jackson spent with Chandler was likely part of the grooming process. ibid.
In 1993 police raid Michael Jackson’s Neverland ranch after the pop superstar is accused of being sexually involved with a 13-year-old boy named Jordan Chandler. ibid.
The baby boy, nicknamed Blanket, is a mystery until the singer makes a horrifying mistake and dangles him over a hotel balcony in Berlin. ibid.
Jackson has spent a fortune … His fate rests in the hands of the jury. ibid.
And he also sexually abused me for seven years. Leaving Neverland: Michael Jackson & Me I & II, Wade Robson, Channel 4 2019
So Michael’s still in Australia and asked if he could come send a crew to our house to film Jimmy. ibid. Jimmy Safechuck’s mum
Michael and I were in his room. Michael set it up like, I’m going to show you something that everybody does and you’ll really enjoy it. ibid. Jimmy
He was with Michael 24/7. ibid. Jimmy’s mum
I never told anyone about any of the sexual stuff that went on. I felt special. I was this boy from the other side of the world and Michael chose me. ibid. Wade
He did buy us a house … It just sounds bad. ibid. Wade’s mum
After it wasn’t working, after it was too painful for me, we kind of went back to our regular sexual routine. ibid. Wade
Global icon, multi-award-winning superstar, ground-breaking artist, Michael Jackson’s sudden death in 2009 aged just 50 evoked world-wide mourning. And yet as so often in his life he also sparked tabloid headlines, sordid rumours and even a criminal investigation, testament to the downward spiral of a once great entertainer. Shocking allegations followed him for much of his life and continued to surround him even in death. MJ: Death & Destruction aka 13 Moments that Destroyed Michael Jackson, Channel 5 2019
Young Michael would almost immediately start paying the price … Michael loses his innocence … ‘There’s a huge immaturity in his nature.’ ibid. psychologist
The accident [burns to skull] would cause Jackson to become reliant on painkillers for the first time in his life. ibid.
Dramatic physical changes in the years ahead. ibid.
He seemed to be further and further removed from reality. ibid.
Jackson is accused … Jackson’s sleepovers at Neverland became for ever linked to scandal. ibid.
Lisa Marie and Michael: caught in a trap of suspicious minds. ibid. newspaper headline
Even fatherhood seemed reduced to a bizarre PR exercise. ibid.
By the early noughties Michael Jackson was experiencing serious financial problems … His lavish lifestyle continued. ibid.
In June 2009 Michael Jackson was in LA rehearsing for a major comeback. A record-breaking fifty concerts was planned for the O2 in London. The controversial star had been out of the limelight for years after being found not guilty of child molestation in 2005. On June 24th 2009 Jackson finished rehearsing and returned home to a rented mansion in LA. His personal doctor Conrad Murray arrived soon after midnight. 12 hours later Michael Jackson was dead. Killing Michael Jackson, captions, Quest Red 2019
The one person that was in the room with him at the time that everything happened was no longer at the hospital. ibid. detective Scott Smith LAPD
Propofol: What is this doing here? This is only used in surgery. This is used to put people under. ibid. detective
24 hours after Michael Jackson’s death police step up efforts to speak to his physician Dr Conrad Murray. ibid. caption
At that time he said: ‘I’d like to have some milk.’ ibid. Murray’s statement
Jackson’s millions of fans were also pushing for a conviction. ibid. caption
He had enough Propofol in him to drop a rhinoceros. ibid. detective
This was on purpose bad medicine. ibid.
Over five gallons’ worth of Propofol. ibid. detective recovers pharmacy receipts
More than 2 years after the death of Michael Jackson, Conrad Murray stood trial. ibid.
On August 17 1993 the Los Angeles police department opened an investigation against Michael Jackson based on the allegation that he sexually molested a 13 year old boy named Jordan Chandler. On January 25th 1994 Michael Jackson settled a civil lawsuit with the Chandlers for $15 million. Square One, 2019
The prosecutor said that there was no child porn. ibid. investigator
After Jordy changed his story … Evan Chandler [father] goes directly to Michael Jackson and his legal team and starts demanding $20 million. ibid.
People of dubious character were treated as credible sources. ibid.
Michael Jackson was the victim of an elaborate extortion scheme that launched the false allegation. ibid. legal worker
During police interviews the child broke down and confirmed that he had been coached. ibid. investigator
On November 18 an arrest warrant was issued for Michael Jackson based on Gavin Arvizo’s allegations. ibid.
Every allegation since is built on the 1993 allegation. ibid. woman
The truth about his ever-changing face remains a mystery … ‘I would estimate between twenty and thirty procedures’ … Throughout his life, Michael Jackson vehemently denied having extensive plastic surgery The Ten Faces of Michael Jackson, Channel 5 2020
His coroner’s report confirmed what had always been suspected. ibid.
The cute kid had now become an unhappy teenager. ibid.
The agonising burning of Michael’s scalp and face affected his hair and face for the rest of his life. ibid.
Michael never publicly disclosed whether he had body dysmorphia but as the ’80s drew to a close it was the colour of his skin that had become the real talking point. ibid.