Michael Jackson's bodyguard reveals reason for singer's death alongside medical causes

Michael Jackson's former bodyguard, Bill Whitfield, has revealed his belief that stress was a significant factor contributing to the pop icon's death on June 25, 2009. Jackson, who was 50 years old at the time, was preparing for a major comeback tour when he passed away. Whitfield, who began working as Jackson's bodyguard in December 2006, shared his insights into the star's frail condition and the immense pressures he faced during his final days.

Whitfield's reflections, shared with The Sun, come as the world marks what would have been Jackson's 66th birthday. He highlighted the impact of the child sexual abuse allegations that had plagued Jackson for years. "He was sad a lot," Whitfield recalled, noting that the allegations, first surfacing in 1993 and reemerging in 2005, left Jackson reclusive and profoundly changed. Despite his acquittal in the 2005 trial, Jackson struggled to overcome the emotional toll and public scrutiny.

As Jackson prepared for the "This Is It" tour in 2009, Whitfield observed a decline in the singer's health, stating, "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."

While the official cause of Jackson's death was determined to be a lethal combination of sedatives and propofol administered by his physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, Whitfield believes that the immense stress Jackson was under also played a critical role. "He was definitely stressed out, and stress is a killer," Whitfield remarked.

Jackson's death was ruled a homicide, and Murray was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter. However, Whitfield expressed sorrow that Jackson was unable to fully clear his name and restore his legacy before his untimely death, emphasizing that the allegations left a lasting impact on the singer.