Michael Jackson Homicide Probe: TMZ Says 'Yes,' LAPD Says 'No'

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A TMZ report that the Michael Jackson death investigation had become a homicide probe has been categorically denied by the LAPD according to Access Hollywood and MSNBC.  At 2am PST TMZ reported that "multiple law enforcement" sources had confirmed that LAPD was treating Michael Jackson's death as a homicide and that his doctor, a Dr. Conrad Murray was the main focus of the investigation.

LAPD was quick to deny the TMZ reports when questioned by Access Hollywood reporters.  MSNBC identified LAPD Officer Tenesh Dobine as a source and printed an in-depth interview in which charges that Michael Jackson's June 25, 2009 death had become a homicide probe were repeatedly denied. 

In statements to Access Hollywood LAPD said that Jackson investigation was "ongoing" but that at this time it was not a murder case.  These statements were further backed up by LAPD Media Relations Officer Sara Faden who reiterated to NBC news that the investigation was "ongoing."

On June 25, 2009 TMZ was the first to report that Michael Jackson had died.  While all other news outlets were awaiting confirmation TMZ published a story definitively stating that the King of Pop had died of cardiac arrest.  That report later turned out to be true with CNN being the last major news network to report that Michael Jackson had died.

Canadian Press reports that the LAPD is neither confirming nor denying the TMZ claims and that it will only state the investigation into how Michael Jackson died is "ongoing."

Update July 16, 2009:

Twitter based news reporting service Breaking News On (BNO News @BreakingNews) reports that like TMZ they have confirmed that the investigation into Michael Jackson's death has become a criminal investigation.  However, BNO did not say that the criminal investigation was a homicide probe.