People News

Michael Jackson's missing nose

Jul 25, 2009, 12:00 GMT

A handout image provided by the County of Los Angeles, Department of Health Services shows an informational copy of Michael Jackson\'s death certificate, 23 July 2009. Police and federal agents on 22 July raided the Houston offices of Michael Jackson‘s personal doctor Conrad Murray, in a search for medical records they believed would constitute evidence of manslaughter, the doctor‘s lawyer said. EPA/COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES

Michael Jackson's nose was missing as he lay in state.

An eyewitness claims he saw the 'Beat It' singer's body on an autopsy table of a Los Angeles morgue with part of his face completely disappeared.

The witness said: "The prosthesis he normally attached to his damaged nose was missing, revealing bits of cartilage surrounding a small dark hole."

Jackson - who died a month ago today of a suspected cardiac arrest - was believed to have had a number of surgical operations change the shape of his nose, which eventually eroded it away. He was also thought to be obsessed with plastic surgery and altering his appearance.

The witness added: "Jackson's face - which he had so painfully reworked and concealed from the public for decades now - lay out in the open undisguised under the harsh lights."

One of the 'King Of Pop's former housekeepers has previously told how the singer kept a number of false noses, which he applied using plasters and glue.

Adrian McManus said: "In his closet he had a jar of fake noses and stage glue, which he told me he used for disguises. But some were similar to his real nose, just without the hole."

Reasons for Jackson's fascination with surgery are unclear, though he has hinted it was because he was bullied as a child. Other sources said he was desperate not to look like his father, Joe Jackson, whom he had accused of hitting him as a youngster and aking fun of his appearance.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles police have named the pop legend's personal doctor, Conrad Murray as a manslaughter suspect in a probe into the star's death.

Although toxicology reports have not confirmed the exact cause of Jackson's death, it is believed he had dangerous levels of intravenously administered anaesthetic drug Propofol in his body at the time of his passing.

Dr Murray was with the singer when he died and also made an attempt to revive him.

A warrant issued by police allowed officers to search Murray's assets for: "Property or items constituting evidence of the offence of manslaughter that tend to show Dr Conrad Murray committed the said criminal offence."

Murray denies involvement in the singer's death.