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Determining the cause of Michael Jackson's death could take several weeks, a coroner has said, as fans continued to pay tribute to the singer.

An autopsy had been conducted but further tests were required that could take up to six weeks, the coroner said.

But he said foul play and trauma had been ruled out in the death of Jackson, who died on Thursday at the age of 50.

Entertainers and world leaders have all been paying tribute to the deceased star.

Singers Madonna and Justin Timberlake praised his talent, while a spokesman for Barack Obama said that the US president saw Jackson as a "music icon".

'Additional testing'

Los Angeles County coroner's spokesman Craig Harvey said police had put a security hold on Jackson's case, limiting the amount of information that can be released.


LA County coroner's office statement following the autopsy
He said a three-hour autopsy had been held but the cause of death had been deferred.

"It means that the medical examiner ordered additional testing such as toxicology and other studies," Mr Harvey said.

The tests would take between four to six weeks, at which point he anticipated being able to close the case, he said.

Jackson, who had a history of health problems, collapsed at his Los Angeles home around midday on Thursday.

A recording of the telephone call made to emergency services has been released, in which the caller said Jackson was unconscious and had stopped breathing.

His personal doctor - who witnessed his collapse - was trying to revive him, the caller said.
source: bbc.com