Jackson 'may have died of overdose'

Michael Jackson may have died of a painkiller overdose, it has been claimed.

According to The Sun, Jackson aides told staff at the UCLA Medical Centre that the star had collapsed after an injection of pethidine, also known by its brand name Demerol.

A source said: "Shortly after taking the Demerol he started to experience slow shallow breathing. His breathing gradually got slower and slower until it stopped.

"His staff started mouth-to-mouth and an ambulance was called which got there in eight minutes but found he was in full respiratory arrest, no breathing and no pulse. They started full CPR and rushed him to hospital."

They added: "When he arrived they started resuscitation, giving him heart shocks and inserted a breathing tube and other supportive measures to try and save his life.

"He never regained consciousness. The family was told that he had passed."

> Obituary: Michael Jackson