Nurse: Jackson begged for sedative
Lee says Jackson told her he suffered from severe insomnia
July 1, 2009, 9:32 a.m.
STAFF REPORT
The question of what killed Michael Jackson last week remains a mystery pending toxicology results, but an assertion by a nutritionist who said she worked with Jackson has fueled speculation.
Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse, told CNN that Jackson suffered from severe insomnia and pleaded for the powerful sedative Diprivan.
"I told him this medication is not safe," Lee said. "He said, 'I just want to get some sleep. You don't understand. I just want to be able to be knocked out and go to sleep.'
"I told him - and it is so painful that I actually felt it in my whole spirit - 'If you take this, you might not wake up.'"
Lee said she had not seen Jackson take the drug.
When asked about Lee's account, Jackson family attorney Londell McMillan said, "I wonder why someone would make a comment about drugs when they haven't seen him take the drug or anyone who administered it."