Michael Jackson's arms may have been covered with needle marks, his face and neck scarred and his eyebrows and lips tattooed on — but he was healthy at the time of his death, according to an autopsy report obtained by the Associated Press.
The Los Angeles County coroner's report shows Jackson — who died of an overdose at age 50 in June — weighed 136 pounds, which is in the acceptable range for a 5-foot-9 man. His heart had no sign of plaque buildup, and his kidneys and most other major organs were normal.
Jackson, who was due to kickoff a London comeback concert in the days after his death, did have some health issues. The singer had developed arthritis in his lower spine and some fingers, and had mild plaque buildup in his leg arteries.
His most serious health issue was in his lungs, which were chronically inflamed and had reduced capacity, which may have left him sort of breath.
According to the autopsy, though (which has not yet been publicly released in light of the criminal investigation into Jackson's death), the lung condition was not serious enough to be a contributing case of death.
"His overall health was fine," said Dr. Zeev Kain, chairman of the anesthesiology department at the University of California, Irvine, who reviewed a copy of the autopsy report for the AP. "The results are within normal limits."
Jackson's cause of death was ruled acute propofol intoxication. Dr. Conrad Murray administered the powerful anesthetic and several other sedatives in the hours leading up to the singer's death in an attempt to help him sleep.
