Monday, 6 July 2009

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Michael Jackson's doctor to skip memorial

Dr Conrad Murray to remember his friend privately

The singer died on 25 June 2009

Michael Jackson's private physician is in seclusion, not speaking even with family and friends, and won't attend the singer's memorial next week, the doctor's rep tells PEOPLE.

"He will be mourning in private because he feels his presence would remind people of Michael Jackson's death, and the doctor would prefer that people remember his friend as he was in life," says Miranda Sevcik, a spokeswoman for Dr. Conrad Murray.

Police have questioned Murray about his treatment of Jackson. The doctor, hired by the promoter of Jackson's planned London concert series this summer, was with the entertainer when he was stricken June 25 at his Los Angeles home.

Jackson was later pronounced dead at the hospital at age 50. Plans are being set for a memorial Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Murray has declined to comment publicly on his care of Jackson, pending the outcome of toxicology tests, though his rep confirms that the doctor believes he is still owed $300,000 from the concert promoter for work since May 1. The rep would not give the whereabouts of Murray, who has practiced in Texas, Nevada and California.

The physician is "completely off the radar until the toxicology results are revealed," says Sevcik. "He's not even talking to friends and family, and I haven't even spoken to him personally, either."

Anne Lang and Mike Fleeman