Michael Jackson's final bodyguard reveals what 'really' killed him
Michael Jackson's former bodyguard Bill Whitfield claims another factor contributed to the late icon's death.
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Michael Jackson's final bodyguard has revealed that he believes stress was a significant factor in the pop icon's untimely death.
The King of Pop was only 50 when he died on June 25, 2009, and today would have been his 66th birthday.
His last bodyguard, who was with him until his sudden demise, has now suggested that Michael was “frail” and under immense stress in the weeks leading up to his death.
Bodyguard Bill Whitfield has alleged the child sexual abuse accusations levelled against the music legend caused him to become a shadow of his former self and placed enormous stress on him as he was planning another tour just weeks before his unexpected death.
Michael's death in 2009 resulted from a deadly mix of sedatives and propofol, an anaesthetic, and it was classified as a homicide.
Celebrity bodyguard Bill first took on the role of Jackson's bodyguard in December 2006.
He secured the job shortly after Michael had been acquitted of the shocking child abuse allegations.
Speaking candidly about what Michael was truly like before his death, Bill admitted when he first began working for the legendary singer, he wasn't sure whether or not to believe the allegations made against him.
The security expert, who initially harboured doubts about Michael's character, soon realised his preconceptions were unfounded and noted the star's pervasive sadness.
“He was sad a lot,” Bill told The Sun, adding: “Things were different, he had just come off facing a couple of trials.
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Bill expressed his regret that Michael died before having the chance to fully defend himself, as he feels the allegations have left an indelible mark on his legacy.
He observed that the claims deeply “hurt” Michael and “changed him” irreversibly.
Michael found himself at the centre of a media storm in 1993 when he faced accusations of child sexual abuse. Although a civil settlement was reached, a decade later, in 2005, more serious charges led to a high-profile trial.
Despite extensive FBI investigations, no evidence was found to support the accusations, and Michael was ultimately acquitted of all charges.
Bill told the outlet that the stress significantly impacted Michael's health: “I could see he was a little more frail than normal, he was doing a lot of rehearsing. I could tell it was weighing on him.”
