Michael Jackson’s final bodyguard, Bill Whitfield, has shared his belief that stress played a significant role in the pop icon’s tragic death. Jackson, who passed away on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, was in the midst of preparing for a major comeback tour when he died.
Now, on what would have been Jackson’s 66th birthday, Whitfield has provided insight into the frail and stressed condition of the music legend during the weeks leading up to his death.Now, on what would have been Jackson’s 66th birthday, Whitfield has provided insight into the frail and stressed condition of the music legend during the weeks leading up to his death.
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Whitfield, who began his role as Jackson’s bodyguard in December 2006, revealed that the King of Pop was deeply affected by the child sexual abuse allegations that had haunted him for years.
These accusations first emerged in 1993 and resurfaced in 2005, leading to a highly publicized trial that ended in Jackson’s acquittal. However, the emotional toll from these events left Jackson reclusive and profoundly changed.
“He was sad a lot,” Whitfield recalled to The Sun. “Things were different. He had just come off facing a couple of trials.”
Initially uncertain about the truth of the allegations, Whitfield grew to believe in Jackson’s innocence after observing his interactions with his children and others close to him.
Despite being cleared of the charges, Jackson struggled to recover from the damage to his reputation and the intense public scrutiny.
In 2009, Jackson announced his “This Is It” tour, which was intended to mark his triumphant return to the stage. However, as rehearsals progressed, Whitfield noticed a decline in Jackson’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,” Whitfield said.
Jackson’s death was ultimately caused by a lethal combination of sedatives and propofol, an anesthetic administered by his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray.
The death was ruled a homicide, and Murray was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter. While the medical cause of death was clear, Whitfield believes that the immense stress Jackson was under contributed significantly to his untimely demise.
“He was definitely stressed out, and stress is a killer,” he remarked.
Whitfield expressed deep sorrow that Jackson was not able to fully clear his name and restore his legacy before his death.
He believes that the allegations and the ensuing trials left a lasting impact on Jackson, both emotionally and publicly.
“The accusations were incredibly hurtful for Michael,
and they changed him,” Whitfield noted.
As the world remembers Michael Jackson on his 66th birthday, Whitfield’s reflections highlight the immense pressures Jackson faced during his life.
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