Michael Jackson's cause of death 'deferred'

Michael Jackson's electrifying performance made the 1993 Super Bowl halftime show one of the best and most memorable ever. (Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Some media sources are saying the initial autopsy exam shows Michael Jackson died of a heart attack. However, as previously reported, the Los Angeles Coroner's Office is not making an official announcement as to the cause of death.

Instead...

Michael Jackson's cause of death "has been deferred," which means a medical examiner has ordered additional studies--toxicology, neuropathology, pulmonary tests--that will take four to six weeks to complete, Craig Harvey, operations chief and spokesman of the Los Angeles Coroner's Office told reporters during a press conference.

"Once the studies are completed, we anticipate to be able to close the case and issue a final cause of death," he said.

"There's no indication of external trauma or foul play, and the LAPD has requested that a security hold be placed on the investigation [into his death], so there's only limited information we can share at this time," he added.

The autopsy was finished at 1 p.m. today, but the press conference was delayed for hours.

His body will be released to his family and the mortuary tonight.

So we'll have to wait.

I expect the media now will focus on obtaining information about the funeral arrangements and burial, which is likely to be watched worldwide.

The media also will follow the LAPD investigation into Michael's death closely, hoping something dramatic will turn up. One of the questions that needs to be answered is, why was there a doctor living with Michael? What was his role there?

Source: CNN, BNO