Local fans mourn loss of legend

Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted child star who rose to become the "King of Pop" and the biggest celebrity in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday. He was 50.

Los Angeles County coroner's spokesman Craig Harvey says determining the cause of Michael Jackson's death will require further tests that will take six to eight weeks.

Harvey says there were no signs of foul play or trauma to the body. He also says Jackson was taking some unspecified prescription medications.

The spokesman says Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter is with Jackson's family.

Throughout Hampton Roads his loss was felt and WAVY.com spoke with those mourning.

"From the Jackson 5, which is my favorite, to his solo career, it's a sad day," said Jackson fan Tiffany Waddell.

In Virginia Beach, country fans flocked to the Kenny Chesney concert. But everyone here heard the news today, the day the music died.

"Right before I left the house," said Sharlynn White about the moment she found out. "It's awful, I couldn't believe it."

Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center after being stricken at his rented home in Holmby Hills. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him at his home for nearly three-quarters of an hour, then rushed him to the hospital, where doctors continued to work on him.

"It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known," his brother Jermaine said. Police said they were investigating, standard procedure in high-profile cases.

According to reports Jackson was in a deep coma when he arrived at the hospital. Dr. Keith Newby is a Norfolk cardiologist and he says cardiac arrest occurs when the heart beats dangerously fast, creating a rhythm the body can't sustain. "You're talking heart rates of 200-360 beats a minute," said Dr. Newby.

"The heart's beating so fast it cannot sustain a blood pressure by pumping enough to push blood flow out of the heart, so then the heart just stops," he continued.

Dr. Newby says cardiac arrest can be caused by a heart attack, breathing problems, or drug overdose, and there are signs. "They may experience chest pain [or] shortness of breath," explained Dr. Newby.

Time is critical. Dr. Newby says a patient only has seven minutes after cardiac arrest sets in before permanent brain damage occurs. Even before then, Jackson may not have been able to communicate.

"Once the cardiac arrest hits you lose consciousness so at that point in time you can't communicate with anyone to tell them what you're feeling," said Dr. Newby.

Meanwhile Jackson's work was entertainment for the masses, with extravagant shows and expensive videos that set a new benchmark for musical success. Thriller sold more than a hundred million copies worldwide.

"There's no record that had gone on to do what Thriller did in terms of its impact it had on the states and all across the world, and it's just phenomenal," said Bill Reid from the NorVa Theatre.

Jackson's work transcended generations, even some of his younger fans had trouble picking a favorite from a career that included thirteen Grammy's and thirteen number one singles in his solo career. And after a lifetime making music, and at fifty years old. Michael Jackson wasn't done yet when he passed away. He was getting ready for another tour.

At the time of his death, Jackson was rehearsing hard for what was to be his greatest comeback: He was scheduled for an unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena, with the first set for July 13.

As word of his death spread, MTV switched its programming to play videos from Jackson's heyday. Radio stations began playing marathons of his hits. Hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital. In New York's Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone.

"No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow," Michael Harris, 36, of New York City, read from a text message a friend had sent him. "It's like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died."

The public first knew him as a boy in the late 1960s, when he was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5, the singing group he formed with his four older brothers out of Gary, Ind. Among their No. 1 hits were "I Want You Back," "ABC" and "I'll Be There."

He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his backward-gliding moonwalk, his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched singing, punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses were trademarks, as was his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance.

"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words," said Quincy Jones, who produced "Thriller." "He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy