The powerful sedative Diprivan was found in Michael Jackson's home, a law enforcement official said, as the city planned for a massive crowd at the singer's memorial service. Diprivan is an anesthetic widely used in operating rooms to induce unconsciousness. Also known as Propofol, it's given intravenously and is very unusual to have in a private home.The law enforcement official spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak about the matter. A Los Angeles Police spokesman, Lt. John Romero, declined to discuss the case. “It's an ongoing investigation,” he said Friday. The cause of Jackson's death has not been determined. Autopsy results are not expected for several weeks. At the downtown Staples Center, where Jackson's memorial will be held Tuesday morning, Assistant Police Chief Earl Paysinger said anywhere from 250,000 to 700,000 people could try to reach the arena, even though only 17,500 tickets will be available. City Councilwoman Jan Perry urged people to stay home and watch the memorial on TV. There will not be a funeral procession through the city. In the weeks before his death, Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse who was working with the singer, said Jackson pleaded for Diprivan amid the stress of preparing for a massive series of comeback concerts. Lee said she repeatedly rejected his demands because the drug was unsafe. “I did everything I could to warn him against it,” she said. Jackson was known to have suffered from severe insomnia. “He had very bad nightmares, he found it very difficult to sleep,” Goldstone said. Authorities are investigating allegations that the 50-year-old Jackson had been consuming painkillers, sedatives and antidepressants. Any criminal charges would depend on whether Jackson had been overly prescribed medications, given drugs inappropriate for his needs, or if doctors knowingly prescribed Jackson medications under an assumed name. Edward Chernoff, an attorney for Jackson's doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, said Friday through a spokeswoman that he had agreed with investigators not to comment until information is released through official channels. Chernoff would not discuss what drugs the doctor administered to Jackson, but said they would have been prescribed in response to a specific complaint.
