Michael Jackson: Neverland funeral ruled out

Michael Jackson: Neverland funeral ruled out

Michael Jackson's family ruled out holding a poignant funeral at the star's Neverland estate on Wednesday as the details of the tragic pop icon's will were made public for the first time.

Sources have thrown light on this news of Michael Jackson. According to them , an army of journalists and thousands of fans had flocked to Jackson's sprawling Neverland Ranch estate on Tuesday. It happened after the  reports that the King of Pop's body would be placed on display for a public viewing before a private service on Sunday, got published.

However the Jackson family dispelled frenzied speculation that the funeral could see Neverland evolve into a permanent resting place for the singer similar to Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis.

In a statement released by the family's public relations firm it is stated, "Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland”.

It is said, "Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly."

Local media reported that a public memorial for Jackson might now be held at the Staples Center or the bigger Los Angeles Coliseum, venue for the 1984 Olympic Games. Reports suggested that a ceremony could be held on Tuesday.

However representatives for the Jackson family declined to comment.

The confusion over Jackson's funeral arrangements came as the picture surrounding the star's estate appeared to clear with the emergence of a 2002 will filed at Los Angeles Superior Court.

In another surprising twist to the aftermath of Jackson's death, it was revealed that soul legend Diana Ross had been named as a back-up guardian to the singer's children in the event of his mother Katherine's death.

The five-page document also revealed that the assets of the singer were to be left in the Michael Jackson Family Trust . However the terms of the trust were not disclosed.

All the documents filed in addition to the will valued Jackson's estate at over five hundred million dollars though it was not clear how that figure had been reached. Jackson was believed to be heavily in debt at the time of his death.

While Katherine Jackson was named as carer for her son's children, sixty five year old Ross was named as guardian if the singer's mother died before him.

Three associates for Jackson namely attorney John Branca, music executive John McClain and accountant Barry Siegel were named co-executors of the will.

There was no mention anywhere of Jackson's father Joe in the will while the document also confirmed that  no provisions had been made for ex-wife Debbie Rowe.

On Monday a court granted Katherine Jackson temporary guardianship of the singer's children, Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, 7, and appointed her as temporary administrator of her son's estate.

A judge rejected a move by Branca and McClain to have Katherine Jackson removed as administrator of the estate. A hearing has been set for 6th July.

Jackson passed away from an apparent cardiac arrest on Thursday aged 50. A cause of death has not been determined pending the results of toxicology tests.

However there was renewed speculation linking the singer to powerful prescription drugs on Wednesday amidst reports that the sedative Propofol that isoften used as an anesthetic in hospitals, was found at his home.

"There is no conceivable way this drug can be properly prescribed for home use." A source told this to a famous blog site which described the drug as an "extremely dangerous and potent" substance only available to medical personnel.

Earlier, a former nurse who cared for Jackson told a popular news channel of United States that the star pleaded with her to provide him with Diprivan,  the brand name for Propofol,  in the last months of his life.

Police detectives are reportedly seeking to identify and interview "multiple doctors" who treated Michael Jackson in the years before his death.

Later Wednesday, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) declined to confirm reports that it had joined the probe as investigators sought help in pinning down the source of prescription medications.