Mainstream media outlets have confirmed that pop superstar Michael Jackson, age 50, went into cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon. Reports are now coming out from TMZ and Gawker that the singer was not revived (TMZ also has photos of what they say is Jackson being wheeled into the hospital). E! Online is reporting that the singer collapsed in his home around noon, and was unresponsive. His father, Joe Jackson has reported that, “He had a heart attack… He is not OK.” Reports are conflicting as to whether or not he made it to the hospital alive. While mainstream outlets have not declared Jackson deceased, CNN‘s now-retracted statement that “The music icon from Gary, Indiana, was known as the ‘King of Pop.'” [emphasis added] is not encouraging.
UPDATE: Entertainment Tonight is reporting that it has a photo of Jackson’s stretcher emerging from the ambulance.
UPDATE: Radar has confirmed that siblings Tito and La Toya have just arrived at the hospital and are being updated.
UPDATE: According to the LA Times
Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The Times.
UPDATE: According to the Washington Post, Assistant Chief Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office has confirmed the report.
Jackson is survived by Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.