On Michael Jackson's 17th death anniversary, heartbreaking details about his final days have surfaced from his autopsy reports.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleJune 25, 2026, marked exactly 17 years since the world lost its iconic King of Pop. Michael Jackson was just 50 and weeks away from his highly anticipated comeback tour when he was found dead at his Los Angeles home. While the cause of death was declared cardiac arrest, the Los Angeles County Coroner later ruled his death as homicide caused by acute propofol intoxication, with other sedatives found in his system.
As the world pays tribute to Michael Jackson on his death anniversary, the King of Pop’s last days are in the spotlight again as facts from his autopsy and medical history continue to present a tragic picture of his worsening health behind the scenes.
Jackson’s post-mortem investigation found several puncture wounds on his arms, hips, thighs, and shoulders, believed to be due to repeated medical injections. The examination also identified scars behind his ears, across his nostrils, and at the base of his neck, indicating several surgical procedures over the years. Investigators also found evidence of cosmetic tattooing. His eyebrows had been tattooed black, while his lips were tattooed pink. The front of his scalp had also been tattooed to help blend with his hairline.
Underneath the wig he regularly wore, Jackson was reportedly almost completely bald, with only fine patches of hair remaining. His use of wigs dated back to the severe scalp burns he suffered during the filming of a Pepsi commercial in 1984, an accident that many close to him believe marked the beginning of his long struggle with prescription pain medication.
The autopsy also documented bruises on Jackson's knees and shins, cuts on his back, and injuries believed to have resulted from a recent fall. Medical personnel additionally observed chest bruising and fractured ribs caused by prolonged CPR efforts as emergency responders attempted to save his life. At the time of his death, Jackson reportedly weighed around 122 pounds. The autopsy also indicated that his stomach contained half-digested medicines and very little food, further raising suspicions about his overall physical health in the final months of his life.
Some of the more shocking details of the autopsy centred around Jackson's feet, which were a crucial element of his famed dance performances but supposedly suffered from years of neglect. In his memoir, This Is It, Dr. Conrad Murray claimed the singer's feet were covered in painful calluses and affected by an advanced fungal infection.
Murray wrote that Jackson often kept his feet covered because he was embarrassed by their appearance and initially resisted allowing doctors to examine them. According to Murray, treatment eventually improved Jackson's mobility and reduced his pain, though he suggested the condition reflected broader concerns about the singer's overall well-being.
The autopsy also settled years of public speculation surrounding Jackson's changing appearance. Medical examiners confirmed that he had vitiligo, a skin condition that causes patches of skin to lose pigmentation. The report said it found areas of lighter and darker skin on his body, supporting Jackson's long-held contention that his changing complexion was a result of the autoimmune condition, and not skin bleaching.
Jackson had been rehearsing for his much-hyped This Is It comeback concerts in London in the weeks leading up to his death while battling chronic insomnia. According to court testimony, he repeatedly requested propofol from Dr. Murray after other medications failed to help him sleep.
On the morning of June 25, 2009, Murray administered the anesthetic at Jackson's home. Minutes later, the singer stopped breathing. Emergency responders were called after a delay, but despite extensive resuscitation efforts, Jackson was pronounced dead at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Murray was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter for administering the anesthetic outside a proper medical setting.
17 years later, Michael Jackson's music continues to inspire millions around the world and top the Billboard charts. Yet, his autopsy findings remain a poignant reminder of the years of health battle the King of Pop suffered in painful silence, while ensuring he made the world smile.
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