LOS ANGELES _ The Los Angeles County coroner has found that the death of Michael Jackson was a homicide, according to The Associated Press.


The finding could mean criminal charges for Jackson’s doctor, who told investigators that he administered a mix of powerful drugs to treat the pop star’s insomnia hours before his death, the AP reported.

The homicide ruling was based on forensic tests that found the anesthetic propofol combined with at least two sedatives to kill Jackson, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the findings have not been publicly released.

While the finding does not necessarily mean a crime was committed, it means more likely that criminal charges will be filed against Dr. Conrad Murray, the Las Vegas cardiologist who was caring for Jackson when he died June 25 in a rented Los Angeles mansion.

Through his lawyer, Murray has said he administered nothing that “should have” killed Jackson.

Murray told investigators that at the time of the King of Pop’s death, he had been trying to wean Jackson off propofol. The doctor said he’d been treating Jackson for insomnia for about six weeks with 50 milligrams of the drug every night via an intravenous drip, a search warrant affidavit said.

Murray said he feared Jackson was becoming addicted to the anesthetic, which is supposed to be used only in hospitals and other advanced medical settings.