La Toya Jackson's murder claims

Jul 12, 2009, 12:00 GMT

Singer Janet Jackson (L), Michael Jackson\'s daughter Paris Jackson (C) and La Toya Jackson (R) La Toya Jackson - who was devastated when the pop legend died of a suspected cardiac arrest last month - says Michael surrounded himself with the wrong type of people and they all played a huge part in his tragic death. EPA/MARK J. TERRILL / AP

Michael Jackson's sister claims the singer was murdered.

La Toya Jackson - who was devastated when the pop legend died of a suspected cardiac arrest last month - says Michael surrounded himself with the wrong type of people and they all played a huge part in his tragic death.

She said: "I believe Michael was murdered. I felt that from the start. Not just one person was involved, rather it was a conspiracy of people. He was surrounded by a bad circle. Michael was a very meek, quiet, loving person. People took advantage of that. People fought to be close to him, people who weren't always on his side."

La Toya - who was very close to her brother and was asked to sign his death certificate - accused his "shadowy entourage" of cutting her brother off from his family and friends and forcing him to sign up for a gruelling 50-date residency at London's O2 arena.

She believes they were only after his money and didn't care if he was fit enough to perform at the comeback shows, which were due to start tomorrow (13.07.09).

She told Britain's News of the World newspaper: "Less than a month ago, I said I thought Michael was going to die before the London shows because he was surrounded by people who didn't have his best interests at heart.

"Michael was worth more than a billion dollars. When anyone is worth that much money, there are always greedy people around them. I said to my family a month ago, 'He's never going to make it to London.' He was worth more dead than alive."

La Toya is not the only member of the Jackson family to believe the 50-year-old star was murdered.

Their father Joe Jackson has claimed Michael was killed by "foul play" while officers investigating the death have refused to rule out homicide.

La Toya says she will never rest until she finds out exactly who and what killed Michael.

She said: "I am going to get down to the bottom of this. I am not going to stop until I find out who is responsible."

Following his death, police officers investigating the death reportedly found over 20 types of drugs in Michael's house including methadone and several highly strong painkillers.

La Toya revealed the family will be speaking to Michael's physician Dr. Conrad Murray, who was with Michael when he died and has since been questioned by police about what happened.

She revealed: "I'm doing what I can to find out how he died. If he died of a drug overdose, then I want to find who supplied him the drugs and who first introduced him to them. We've still not had a chance to speak to Dr. Murray about Michael's final days. I need to know what he may have seen or heard."