Luxe Life Blog

Michael Jackson’s computer and cell used for drug talks

Posted August 26, 2009 • 11:07 a.m.

Michael Jackson appears in London to announce his final concerts in the British capital in March 2009.

Photo: The Associated Press

Michael Jackson’s cell phone, with a very secret 312 area code number, and his private computer with email log were seized by Los Angeles Police Department detectives during the investigations into his death that have now been labeled a homicide.

Uncovered were a flow of communication between Michael and a British doctor that he had met with at the luxurious Lanesborough Hotel in London when he attended the English launch press conference for the This Is It shows at the 02 Arena.

My former Fleet Street colleagues have confirmed that the King of Pop and Dr. Susan Etok were together at the hotel for a secretive 90-minute meeting and tried to plan sources for his continuing medical drugs supply while he was performing in London. Apparently, the 32-year-old doctor had previously known Michael from her visits to the United States and met with him when he was staying in a suite at The Mirage here on the Strip.

Dr. Etok says that Michael was so desperate to get a constant supply of the painkillers Diprivan and Demerol that he offered more than $500,000 for the time he would be in London.

“We spoke on his cell regularly. He’d call me up, sometimes in tears. He said he didn’t care how much money it takes. He was desperate and pleaded for me to do it. He said there were medications he took back in the States that he needed. Michael told me the Diprivan was just a routine, but I knew it was an anesthetic. I wasn’t convinced he was an addict, even though I saw his pills for Lofepramine and Zopicione for insomnia.”

Dr. Etok says she was urged by one of Michael’s closest bodyguard handlers to help him, but she wound up in an exchange of emails turning down Michael’s drug demands -- and urged him to get help for his sickness. The emails now show that she replied to him with “I’m sorry. I can’t help you with what you asked me to do for you. I just don’t feel it is right, and I don’t want to get myself or anyone else into trouble. If you are sick in any way or you need help, get it sorted out with your doctor in America. I’m there for you if you need to talk, but I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what is going on.”

She says that Michael called her five days later on her birthday telling her not to worry, that he would get someone else to help him out. She added: “I tried so hard to get him to seek help for his addiction. I’m just sorry I couldn’t do more to save him.” The doctor didn’t hear from Michael again after his last call, and she said she has kept a record of the emails and cell phone conversations if they’re wanted for the continuing LAPD investigation.

Meantime, rehearsals are continuing all week long as Strip entertainers prepare for the Saturday concert at The Pearl in the Palms that will celebrate the music of Michael Jackson. Today for two hours this afternoon is the final dress rehearsal with Mirage headliner Terry Fator and the cast members of Jersey Boys at the Palazzo and Phantom -- the Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian.

Other performers at the fundraiser for music programs in our Clark County schools include the casts of The Lion King, Peepshow, Ultimate Manilow: The Hits, Cirque Du Soleil’s Zumanity, Britain’s Got Talent group Signature and Peepshow star Holly Madison.

Tickets are on sale for $29, $54, $79, $104 up to $129, with a VIP package available for $504 that includes VIP seating, admission to the exclusive after-party with the performers, a gift bag and an autographed limited-edition poster.

As we get closer to Saturday, which would have been Michael’s 51st birthday, Vegas DeLuxe will continue to have daily updates on everything surrounding the late King of Pop. We’ll also look at what to expect when I emcee the Celebrity Star presentation on Saturday evening before the screening of Moonwalker at the Brenden Theatres in the Palms with his father Joe Jackson and his manager Frank DiLeo on hand.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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