Coroner 'rules Jackson death as homicide'

The Los Angeles Coroner's Office has reportedly ruled that it is treating the death of Michael Jackson as a homicide, according to a law enforcement official.

The ruling was announced today after the Los Angeles Times uncovered court documents that allegedly claim that Jackson died from a lethal level of the anaesthetic propofol.

The cause of death was unveiled in a search warrant affidavit that was unsealed in Houston earlier.

The documents apparently suggest that Jackson's personal doctor Conrad Murray told officers that he had administered the drug in an attempt to cure the singer's insomnia, although had attempted to wean him off it after fearing that he was forming an addiction.

An unnamed source from the Coroner's Office is reported to have confirmed the findings to The AP but spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official account has not been released.

The LAPD has yet to comment, while the official coroner's report remains sealed as the investigation into Jackson's death continues.