Michael's father Joe Jackson laughing outside family home | Mail OnlineMichael's father Joe Jackson laughing outside family home
An extraordinary image of Michael Jackson's father laughing emerged today.
The picture shows Joe Jackson sharing a joke with Reverend Jesse Jackson, a close friend of the Jacksons, outside the family home in Los Angeles.
The image will do little to dampen growing criticism of the Jackson family and their alleged failure to help the singer as his health deteriorated.
However, the family today demanded an independent post mortem to find out exactly why he died.
Sharing a laugh: Rev. Jesse Jackson, left, and Joe Jackson share a light moment outside the family home in Los Angeles
Reverend Jesse Jackson said they desperately want answers about his final moments and the doctor who was by his side at the time of his collapse.
The civil rights campaigner, who has been acting as a spokesman for the singer's parents, said they were 'without a doubt' going to arrange a second examination.
It came as the family spoke for the first time about Jackson's sudden death on Thursday, describing it as 'tragic' and one of the 'darkest moment of their lives'.
Rev. Jackson revealed their confusion and frustration about exactly why the star collapsed and died at his home from a massive heart attack.
He said: 'Right now there is no peace. We don't know what happened and we need to know. Michael was not sick. He was not frail.'
'When did the doctor come? What did he do? Did he inject him? If so, with what?,' he told ABC News in the U.S.
Thumbs up: Michael Jackson's father Joe, right, pictured with Rev Jesse Jackson, left, waves to the media outside the family home in Los Angeles.
'Was he on the scene twice? Before and then reaction to? Did he use Demerol? It's a very powerful drug. Was he injected once? Was he injected twice?'
He added: 'They're hurt because they lost a son. But the wound is now being kept open by the mystery and unanswered questions of the cause of death.'
Dr Conrad Robery Murray, who was with the star when he died, last night spoke to police for three hours and his laywers insist he is not a suspect.
An autopsy has already been carried out by the Los Angeles Coroner's Office and found evidence Jackson was on prescription drugs.
Officials said there was no sign of trauma or foul play but that complicated toxicology tests that could take up to six weeks were needed to establish cause of death.
Another examination, at the family's behest, was already under way yesterday, according to TMZ - the website who first broke the news of Jackson's death.
But Brian Elias, lieutenant at the County Department of Coroner in LA, said the body was still in the mortuary.
'My understanding is that they have requested a second autopsy. But we have no way of confirming that. The body is in a mortuary and if they want to proceed with a separate autopsy, it is up to them,' he said.
More tests: Michael Jackson's family want a second autopsy
The singer's body was released back to the family on Friday night and was taken to an indisclosed location.
His family have all convened on his parents, Joe and Katherine's home in Encino, California, as they consider their next move.
In a statement yesterday, they spoke of their grief for the first time.
'Our beloved son, brother and father of three children has gone so unexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon,' they said.
'It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point, where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times.
'We miss Michael endlessly, our pain cannot be described in words. But Michael would not want us to give up now. So we want to thank all of his faithful supporters and loyal fans worldwide, you - who Michael loved so much.
'Please do not despair, because Michael will continue to live on in each and every one of you. Continue to spread his message, because that is what he would want you to do. Carry on, so his legacy will live forever.'
It added that Jackson's father Joe wanted to personally say: 'My grandchildren are deeply moved by all the love and support you have shown for them and their father.'
Removal vans have been going in and out of Jackson's rented home in nearby Beverly Hills, where his sisters Janet and La Toya were spotted yesterday.