Expert tells jury Michael Jackson was totally sleep-deprived by time of death

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – An expert told a jury that Michael Jackson exhibited symptoms of someone who was totally sleep-deprived when he died.

Dr. Charles Czeisler told the panel that the singer’s weight loss, and difficulty remembering dance moves and the lyrics to his own songs were all consistent with someone who hadn’t gotten any real sleep in a long time.

The Harvard professor is testifying as a sleep expert in a lawsuit filed by the singer’s mother against concert promoter AEG Live LLC.

The sleep deprivation was likely caused by Jackson’s use of the anesthetic propofol, which Czeisler says would put the singer in a drug-induced coma and not meet his body’s need for actual sleep.

Katherine Jackson claims AEG missed warning signs about her son’s health.

AEG denies any wrongdoing.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.