Federal Agents Search Home Of Dr. Murray

Federal Agents Search Home Of Dr. Murray - UPDATED

Federal authorities searched the Las Vegas home and medical offices of Conrad Murray, Michael's personal doctor on Tuesday. They are seeking documents as part of a manslaughter investigation into the death.

Several Drug Enforcement Administration agents entered Dr. Murray's large home in a privately gated community while still others searched his medical offices, Global Cardiovascular Associates, in Las Vegas. Michael Flanagan, assitant special agent in charge of the DEA in Las Vegas said "We are looking for documents" related to Michael's death. He also said that agents in Los Angeles also served search warrants at Murray's house and office.

According to Flanagan, the warrants were sealed. He was not able to say exactly what documents the agents were seeking. Authorities had no arrest warrant for Murray, who was in the home when the investigators arrived. Puoy Premsriut, a lawyer who has represented Murray in Las Vegas, did not respond to a message left at her office seeking a comment. Flanagan said that the staff members at Murray's medical office cooperated with agents.

Las Vegas police were also assisting with the search according to Capt. Brett Zimmerman of the vice and narcotics bureau.

Murray, who was with Michael when he passed, is based in Las Vegas and is liscenced in California, Nevada and Texas. His Houston office and a storage unit was searched last week by DEA agents. Court records reflect that the agents were seeking evidence that Murray committed manslaughter. Police say that Murray is cooperating with their work and have not yet labeled him suspect.

The toxicology reports have not come through, yet, however investigators are operating under the theory that the anesthetic propofol caused Michael Jackson's heart to stop, according to a report given to the Associated Press by a law enforcement official on Monday. Michael was believed to have been using propofol for about two years. Investigators are attempting to determine how many other doctors might have been involved in administering the drug, according to the official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation.

The anonymous official said that Michael received propofol regularly. A physician would administer it when Michael went to sleep and then stop the IV drip when he wanted to wake up. On the day Michael died, Murray gave him the drug through the IV sometime after midnight, according to the official.

Edward Chernoff, Murray's lawyer, has said that Murray "didn't prescribe or administer anything that should have killed Michael Jackson." When questioned about the law enforcement official's statements he said: "We will not be commenting on rumors, innuendo or unnamed sources."

In a more detailed online statement, Chernoff added that "things tend to shake out when all the facts are made known, and I'm sure that will happen here, as well."

Murray, 51, was employed as Michael's personal physician in May and was scheduled to accompany him to London for a series of concerts that were to begin in July. He was staying with Michael in the LA mansion, according to Chernoff, and "happened to find" Michael unconscious in the bedroom the morning of June 25. Murray attempted to administer CPR by using chest compressions with one hand while supporting Michael's back with the other.

The anonymous official also described Michael's bedroom in the rented Beverly Hills mansion as containing oxygen tanks and IV drip. An IV line and three oxygen tanks were in the bedroom and 15 more tanks in a security guard's shack. Police found propofol and other drugs in the home.

Using propofol to sleep exceeds the drug's intended purpose. The drug can depress breathing and lower heart rates and blood pressure. Because of the risks, propofol is supposed to be administered only in medical settings by trained personnel.

Source: MJFC / FOX News / AP / Sheril Snider