La Toya Jackson: Band of Hangers-On Killed Michael

Michael Jackson was killed by a band of greedy hangers-on, his sister La Toya alleges in interviews with British Sunday newspapers.

The King of Pop's sister spoke about her younger brother's death and the aftermath with The Mail on Sunday and the News of the World weeklies.

"I believe Michael was murdered, I felt that from the start,'' the 53-year-old said.

"Not just one person was involved, rather it was a conspiracy of people. He was surrounded by a bad circle. Michael was a very meek, quiet, loving person. People took advantage of that."

"Less than a month ago, I said I thought Michael was going to die before the London shows because he was surrounded by people who didn't have his best interests at heart."

La Toya said she had ordered a private autopsy.

Jackson died on June 25 at the age of 50.

"Michael was worth more than a billion dollars. When anyone is worth that much money, there are always greedy people around them. I said to my family a month ago, 'He's never going to make it to London.' He was worth more dead than alive.''

Murder under Californian law can include killings that are not premeditated.

La Toya accused a "shadowy'' group of cutting her sibling off from his family and friends and forcing him to sign up for 50 comeback concerts at London's O2 Arena, shows billed "This Is It'.'

They saw him as a "cash cow'' and "got him hooked on drugs... I think it shocked his system so much it killed him,'' she claimed.

"I am not going to stop until I find out who is responsible. Why did they keep the family away? It's not about money. I want justice for Michael. I won't rest until I find out what - and who - killed my brother.'