Pin-cushion Jacko: Post mortem reveals 13 puncture marks on his body

By David Gardner for MailOnline
Updated: 04:14 EDT, 10 February 2010

This shocking illustration shows the appalling toll that drug dependency took on Michael Jackson's body.

Puncture wounds on his neck, arms and legs  -  damning proof of the singer's addiction  -  were graphically detailed in the coroner's report into his death.

In a final blow to the pop icon's battered image, the autopsy also revealed that Jackson's 'sparse' hair was 'connected to a wig'.

There were 13 puncture marks on Jackson's body, and 38 marks in total.

The 51-page report was unveiled after Jackson's personal physician Dr Conrad Murray appeared in court in Los Angeles charged with involuntary manslaughter.

The report, which concludes that the care the singer received in the final hours of his life violated accepted medical standards, will be a centrepiece in the high-profile prosecution case against the cardiologist.

Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal physician appeared in court on Monday in Los Angeles charged with involuntary manslaughter

The Los Angeles coroner's office had previously said the 50-year-old star died from a lethal dose of the powerful anaesthetic propofol, which Jackson referred to as 'milk'.

But the full report went further, describing the amount of propofol Jackson was given as enough to knock a patient unconscious for 'major surgery'.

Coroner's officers described the hospital-like scene around Jackson's bed last June after he stopped breathing.

There was a green oxygen tank, prescription medications, medical supplies, a box of catheters, disposable needles and alcohol pads as well as a closed bottle of urine.

But, according to the report, the oxygen tank was empty, equipment was disconnected and there were no monitors or a controlled infusion pump for intravenous administration of drugs.

In addition to propofol, Jackson's blood contained anxiety sedatives lidocaine, diazepam, nordiazepam, lorazepam and midazolam, as well as ephedrine, which is used for narcolepsy and depression.

Murray told investigators that Jackson was a chronic insomniac who had depended on propofol for years to get to sleep.

But an anaesthesiologist consulted by the coroner said she knew of 'no reports of its use for insomnia relief'.

Dr Selma Calmes said: 'The only reports of its use in homes are cases of fatal abuse  -  suicide, murder and accident.'

She added that because of the risks of heart attacks or respiratory problems, the drug should be administered only by anaesthesiologists.

'Full patient monitoring is required any time propofol is given,' she said.

Murray admitted to police that he left Jackson alone and under the influence of the drug for a two-minute visit to the toilet the morning the singer collapsed.

Murray pleaded not guilty to causing Jackson's death when he appeared at Los Angeles Airport Court on Monday.

The 56-year-old was released on £50,000 bail and ordered to return to court on April 5.

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The full coroner's report was released after Dr Murray was charged. Left, page five of the report lists the cocktail of prescription drugs that were discovered in the singer's system. Right, the medical examiner description of Jackson's body - there were intravascular catheters in the neck and near his femurs

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Left, the report sets out the scene of Jackson's death in chillingly detached detail. Right, the coroner makes his mark and concludes that the cause of Michael Jackson's death was homicide

Eleven vials of propofol were found at Jackson's house and none of the bottles had prescription directions or names of either the patient or the doctor.

The report listed other drugs discovered as anti-anxiety medications diazepam and lorazepam and temazepam, for insomnia  -  all prescribed by Dr Murray.

Clonazepam, for panic disorders, anti-depressant trazodone, muscle-relaxer tizanidine, liquid midazolam and 14 capsules of ephedrine, as well as caffeine aspirin, another muscle-relaxant zanaflex, prednisone, for skin disorders, and antibiotic azithromycon were also found at the star's £15million rented mansion.

Jackson's father, Joe, said Murray should have been charged with murder and claimed his son's death was part of a conspiracy involving those close to the singer.

We are family: Jermaine Jackson and his father, Joe, leave the courthouse after the hearing. Jackson Sr told reporters that Dr Murray should be facing murder charges over the death of his son