`King of Pop` Michael Jackson remembered 5 years after sudden death

USPA News - Wednesday marked exactly five years since Michael Jackson -- the "King of Pop" -- was found dead at his mansion in Los Angeles, but the world`s most successful entertainer of all time is far from gone with last month`s release of a new album. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael`s loved ones today as we remember the kind, gentle and giving spirit who generously shared his amazing artistic gifts with the world along with a limitless empathy for those in need," said John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson.

The estate`s co-executors said the world is a "far better place" for having known Jackson. "Time has shown that with each passing year the world`s appreciation deepens not just for Michael`s talent but also for his lifelong passion to spread peace, unity, love and hope across every culture and society," they said. Branca and McClain added: "Michael`s friendship, kindness, humor and joyful warmth will always be missed." But Jackson`s legacy has continued beyond his death with last month`s release of a compilation album titled "XSCAPE". The new album features eight new recordings that were never released before, and the album`s Deluxe Edition includes a selection of the recordings in their original form. The album name was chosen to honor the pop star`s naming process, as he always chose a song from the album to name his projects and - beginning with "Thriller" - used only one word titles. The album`s list of producers includes Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins, Stargate and John McClain. Jackson, commonly called "the King of Pop" and recognized by Guinness World Records as the most successful entertainer of all time, died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50. He was found unconscious in bed at his rented mansion in Los Angeles and was later pronounced dead at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. The Los Angeles County Coroner ruled Jackson`s death a homicide, mainly caused by the powerful anaesthetic Propofol which was given to him by Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson`s personal physician. Prosecutors charged Murray with involuntary manslaughter in February 2010, alleging he unlawfully but without malice killed Jackson in the commission of an unlawful act. During the high-profile trial, which began on September 27, 2011, prosecutors argued that Murray was grossly negligent by administering a high dose of Propofol to help Jackson sleep as he prepared for 50 concerts that were scheduled to take place at The O2 Arena in London as part of his major comeback. Defense attorneys claimed Jackson himself administered the fatal dose, but Dr. Steven Shafer, who wrote the drug`s guidelines, told jurors that it was impossible for the pop star to have caused his own death by swallowing the drug. Murray was convicted in November 2011 and sentenced to four years in county prison, but he was released in October 2013 after serving just half of his sentence.