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The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Inside ‘world's zombie capital' Skid Row where thousands of crack addicts torch each other's tents and OD on sanitiser
'I THINK he OD-ed, they are trying to bring him back right now,' a passerby nonchalantly shrugs as a team of paramedics battle to save a man lying motionless on the street in downtown Los Angeles. After several frantic minutes emergency workers manage to revive the middle-aged victim, while homeless folk continue to walk past barely acknowledging the harrowing scene. Advertisement 11 Rows of makeshift tents line the rat-infested streets of Skid Row, one of LA's most notorious neighbourhoods Credit: JDMC 11 A man passed out on the scorching hot sidewalk at 11.30am Credit: JDMC 11 The homeless on Skid Row have to rely on fire hydrants for their water Credit: JDMC With their patient now lightly breathing, a Los Angeles Fire Department supervisor announces into his radio: 'I don't know what he has taken.' Shockingly, these distressing incidents have become part of everyday life for the thousands who reside in the City of Angels' infamous Skid Row - dubbed the "zombie zone of the apocalypse" and "the closest thing to hell on earth" - and things are getting worse. Advertisement The neighbourhood for those of 'no fixed abode' is within walking distance of the city's thriving banking district and the Crypto Arena - home to the LA Lakers basketball team, for whom The ground will also play host to music superstars Sabrina Carpenter and Lil Wayne later this year, as well as the interactive Disney Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour . Over on Skid Row, an area of roughly 0.4 square miles, made up of 50 blocks, there is barely a street corner where people are not passed out cold, seemingly tripping or battling deep-seated issues. In a radius of just a few hundred metres, The Sun witnessed dozens of down-and-outs who appeared ravaged by the effects of drug addiction, alcoholism and mental illness. One disturbed woman in the grip of a terrifying breakdown, wearing only one shoe, violently scratching her skin - a common side effect of - and howling "get away from me" forces drivers to detour away from her. Advertisement Closeby a young hispanic man goes ignored as he smacks his chest violently, yelling 'water, water, water', while a 20-something man who'd been swigging from a vodka bottle lies sprawled on the filthy sidewalk, which often hits scorching summer temperatures of 115 degrees fahrenheit. Many tented spots had visible signs of heavy street drug use , with b rown-burned tin foil sheets and balls strewn on pavements - likely used to smoked heroin and crack cocaine. One recovering addict claims a hit of cocaine costs just 74p ($1), Homeless use furniture dumped by rich escaping coronavirus-hit NYC to build huge camp in plush district angering locals Huddled behind an abandoned rental truck, a couple in their twenties crouch beside an upturned bucket clutching three brown-charred pipes and several lighters. Their friend begged us: 'Please don't take no photos, man.' Advertisement Another breathless man lies collapsed against a gate with a bottle of hand sanitiser at his feet. Since the Covid pandemic there has been a huge rise in sanitiser consumption by addicts chasing an alcoholic high, with potentially fatal results. Meanwhile, scantily clad men and women offer sexual services, in a bid to attract potential sex tourists. One 20-something guy, dressed in hot pants and a short top, provocatively thrusts his groin and twerks beside a drain pipe. 'It's like a toilet bowl' 11 Long term street survivor Zo Webb says 'only the strong survive' in Skid Row Credit: JDMC LA County's 2022 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count stated 4,400 people are experiencing homelessness in the Skid Row neighbourhood - but locals claim that figure is at least 25 per cent higher. Advertisement Officials labelled it 'the epicentre of homelessness in the nation', adding: 'Skid Row also experiences the highest overdose mortality rate in LA County.' It's estimated that 60,000 people live without a permanent roof over their head in greater LA. Long term street survivor Zo Webb, 55, tells us 'only the strong survive" in that environment. 'You wouldn't want your animals to live in this situation. It is dangerous out here. You got a lot of killers and molesters. It is like a toilet bowl ," he says. You wouldn't want your animals to live in this situation. It is dangerous out here. You got a lot of killers and molesters. It is like a toilet bowl Webb, who has battled addiction, PTSD and mental illness since his teenage years, adds that he is on the streets 'by choice' because his family cannot deal with his problems . Advertisement Compton-born Webb, 55, proudly declares he had been off cocaine for four days, but admits dealers target him aware of his instability. 'You know it's here," he says, noting that the price can be 'anywhere from a dollar'. Rocking back and forward he continues: 'That isn't going to have an effect on me.' Webb has vowed to stay clean and 'communicate with my family', expressing his thanks to charities and LA City resources for assistance during the day. But overnight those safe havens close, leaving many vulnerable to dealers and armed violent gangs. Advertisement 'It is what it is. I am not going into that. There are a lot of addicts here from all around the world ," he adds. 'I have seen kids take drugs.' In 2020 official California state figures stated more than 5,000 Californians died from opioid overdoses, and 3,946 died due to fentanyl overdose. Katherine White, Director of Operations and Patient Care for medical non profit , which provides free health clinics, tells The Sun: 'Drugs are cheap. Five bucks a day is a pretty solid habit. 'And if you're hungry, you can get high on fentanyl cheaper than you can eat. 'Between what you can beg, borrow, steal, sell yourself and sell whatever you can come across, the compulsion to continue using is so overwhelming - that is going to take precedence over everything else.' Advertisement Violent attacks 11 Dozens of down and outs appear ravaged by the effects of drugs, addictions, alcoholism and mental illness Credit: JDMC 11 There is barely a street corner where people are not out cold seemingly tripping or dealing with deep seated issues Credit: JDMC 11 Tracy Gollo, 53, shared a shocking insight into her terrifying existence, surviving daily violent attacks and thefts - including being punched in the face that very morning Credit: JDMC Ex-hairstylist Tracy Gollo, 53, lives a terrifying existence, enduring daily violent attacks and thefts. 'This morning I got punched in the face," she tells us. "They stole all my wigs." Advertisement 'I have been jumped on nine times in the last two weeks. I have gone through four tents. Stuff gets stolen daily.' Teary-eyed, she recalls how after getting a new tent, 'they burned that tent up the first night with me and my dogs in it… they poured lighter fluid all over it.' Tracy is targeted by criminals, gangs or drug addicts 'whenever somebody needs money". Showing us bruises on her arms and legs, she says: 'My teeth are like this because my ex-wife abused me... in her defence she was overly medicated and was schizophrenic.' If you're hungry, you can get high on fentanyl cheaper than you can eat Katherine White New York born Tracy admits her beloved dogs are her "babies" who "give me hope' amid desperate moments. Advertisement Tracy, who has battled a brain tumour, mental health issues, diabetes and high blood pressure, is upset at not being put up in a city housing facility, having been interacting with officials for two years. 'Things are not getting better. They are not housing people. They (the city) only house people when they need to show off," she says. Tracy navigates life barefoot, dodging piles of putrid-smelling trash including dog and human excrement and used toilet paper. She moans: "You can't get anyone to clean up anything.' 'People disappear all the time' 11 It's estimated 60,000 live without a permanent roof over their head in greater LA Credit: JDMC Advertisement 11 Official figures state 4,400 people are experiencing homelessness in the Skid Row neighbourhood - but the number is believed to be much higher Credit: JDMC A friendly private security guard, who works with one of the charity missions caring for the homeless, said the city's efforts to regularly house the homeless, clean streets and remove tents are "short term". He said: "Honestly, many of those Skid Row streets are getting worse, because it feels more people are addicts because of the cheap drug prices and many low income folk are facing financial ruin and ending up homeless, because of high rents and the increased cost of living. "For every person that gets housed, it feels like two more turn up in tents." The family man, who wishes to remain anonymous, insists city officials have little concept of the real dangers on the street. Advertisement He added: 'People disappear all the time. Any female is seen by gangs as someone to use for sex trafficking or prostitution. 'When they go home, after 10 at night people living here have no idea whether they are going to survive the night," he says. "There is so much criminality that it's impossible for law enforcement to monitor.' When she and her WoundWalk team visit, Ms White says they try to offer medical aid, treatments and advice to hundreds on the street, but she admits females remain extremely vulnerable. "I don't think I've talked to hardly any women out here that haven't been assaulted," she says. Advertisement 'They don't bother trying to complain because who's going to do anything? Who's actually going to stand up and who's going to investigate? "The sex trafficking is also part of this. So if you're participating in this, then if you're raped, does it even count? Yes, of course it counts. 'But that's the attitude that they get treated with. Having the choice over your body is an important part of life.' I don't think I've talked to hardly any women out here that haven't been assaulted Katherine White A former Las Vegas security guard, who identifies as TL, lives out of a giant blue suitcase packed with neatly folded clothes. He tells us: 'I am not a drug addict. I've had five bedroom houses, sports cars and been to nice places. There is nobody I can call to help me get back on my feet. Advertisement 'I can stay in a shelter where I may get a staph infection or be robbed; or I can move around in the streets where nobody knows where I am. 'But people get killed out here all the time. People get hit in the head here with hammer and all kinds of s***, so you have to keep moving.' The 50-year-old, who grew up in South Central LA, says sexually transmitted diseases are rife. 'I don't have unprotected sex with weirdos," he says. 'There are dangers everywhere.' TL claims that a couple of months ago he was protecting world famous superstars including Mariah Carey, Advertisement 'Imagine, I had the best seat in the house and then I had to go to sleep behind a garbage can," he says. 11 Katherine White, from medical non profit says 'If you're hungry, you can get high on fentanyl cheaper than you can eat' Credit: JDMC 11 Local florist Hadder Gala, whose family have worked there for a decade, admitted: 'People do not like coming here because they are scared' Credit: JDMC Incredibly many businesses attempt to survive amid this human devastation, but it's hard. Many hire security guards, or unite to deal 'on the street' with problematic vagrants - such as inside America's largest wholesale flower market, known as The Flower District. Advertisement Local florist Hadder Gala, whose family have worked there for a decade, admits: 'People do not like coming here because they are scared.' He adds that troubling incidents occur 'every day' and homeless numbers are 'growing". Hadder expresses his upset at seeing so many mentally unwell people, adding: 'I don't like how people are going through that. "For all this to get better… the government has to help these people." Ms White also raises questions about the battle to assist the homeless. Advertisement 'I don't want to ever call this normal," she says. 'When you consider the amount of billions of dollars that have been set aside for service, we should be flooded with social workers and counselling.' LA County has attempted for the last decade to reduce the crises with a raft of initiatives and collaboration with city, state and governmental agencies and arms. Private businesses are also involved. Officials point to successes such as the 19-story high-rise Weingart Center apartment building which will house almost 300 homeless in Skid Row. The recently opened Skid Row Care Campus, offering a raft of services including showers, counselling, employment assistance and food, has been deemed a success. Advertisement In June 2023, Housing for Health and partners were awarded a £44m ($60m) state grant to provide housing and services to an estimated 2,500 individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness on Skid Row. The funding served as a catalyst for the Skid Row Action Plan, a £205m ($280m) initiative developed in collaboration with community members, business owners and service providers. Traumatic history Libby Boyce, senior manager at the Homeless Initiative for the County of Los Angeles and former-deputy director of Housing for the city, is optimistic about the future. She admits Skid Row's residents have 'traumatic histories' but insists the area is "a vibrant and special community' with 'arts all over the place". "Even though it looks to the naked eye, the way it looks, it's a beautiful place. Working there taught me that," she says. Advertisement 'When you sit down and talk to people, if you have any empathy in your heart, you go, 'Wow, I can't believe that they're still alive.' 'So at the end of the day, that's what I think the misunderstanding is.' Boyce, speaking at the 16th Thirst Gala at the SLS Hotel in LA, believes the Skid Row Campus has made a difference already. 'We have a real problem in LA with the lack of affordable housing, and we also have a huge rental burden," she says. "You can't get an apartment for under $2,000 [£1,471] in Los Angeles. So it's really about economics. Advertisement 'People who have very traumatic histories who maybe don't handle stress the same way. Somebody who doesn't have a traumatic history, and then they land up un-housed and it just spirals from there.' She adds: 'We've housed so many people. Unfortunately, the new administration is cutting our housing, which is a bummer, but we'll just keep on housing people as much as we can and hope that we can keep people from falling into homelessness." Boyce urged for more investment in police officers on the streets to assist vulnerable groups.
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Inside ‘world's zombie capital' Skid Row where thousands of crack addicts torch each other's tents and OD on sanitiser
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 'I THINK he OD-ed, they are trying to bring him back right now,' a passerby nonchalantly shrugs as a team of paramedics battle to save a man lying motionless on the street in downtown Los Angeles. After several frantic minutes emergency workers manage to revive the middle-aged victim, while homeless folk continue to walk past barely acknowledging the harrowing scene. 11 Rows of makeshift tents line the rat-infested streets of Skid Row, one of LA's most notorious neighbourhoods Credit: JDMC 11 A man passed out on the scorching hot sidewalk at 11.30am Credit: JDMC 11 The homeless on Skid Row have to rely on fire hydrants for their water Credit: JDMC With their patient now lightly breathing, a Los Angeles Fire Department supervisor announces into his radio: 'I don't know what he has taken.' Shockingly, these distressing incidents have become part of everyday life for the thousands who reside in the City of Angels' infamous Skid Row - dubbed the "zombie zone of the apocalypse" and "the closest thing to hell on earth" - and things are getting worse. The neighbourhood for those of 'no fixed abode' is within walking distance of the city's thriving banking district and the Crypto Arena - home to the LA Lakers basketball team, for whom LeBron James, 40, recently signed a £38.6million ($52.6m) one-year contract. The ground will also play host to music superstars Sabrina Carpenter and Lil Wayne later this year, as well as the interactive Disney Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour. Over on Skid Row, an area of roughly 0.4 square miles, made up of 50 blocks, there is barely a street corner where people are not passed out cold, seemingly tripping or battling deep-seated issues. In a radius of just a few hundred metres, The Sun witnessed dozens of down-and-outs who appeared ravaged by the effects of drug addiction, alcoholism and mental illness. One disturbed woman in the grip of a terrifying breakdown, wearing only one shoe, violently scratching her skin - a common side effect of fentanyl use - and howling "get away from me" forces drivers to detour away from her. Closeby a young hispanic man goes ignored as he smacks his chest violently, yelling 'water, water, water', while a 20-something man who'd been swigging from a vodka bottle lies sprawled on the filthy sidewalk, which often hits scorching summer temperatures of 115 degrees fahrenheit. Many tented spots had visible signs of heavy street drug use, with brown-burned tin foil sheets and balls strewn on pavements - likely used to smoked heroin and crack cocaine. One recovering addict claims a hit of cocaine costs just 74p ($1), with meth at around £1.50 ($2) and fentanyl coming in as little as £3.70 ($5). Homeless use furniture dumped by rich escaping coronavirus-hit NYC to build huge camp in plush district angering locals Huddled behind an abandoned rental truck, a couple in their twenties crouch beside an upturned bucket clutching three brown-charred pipes and several lighters. Their friend begged us: 'Please don't take no photos, man.' Another breathless man lies collapsed against a gate with a bottle of hand sanitiser at his feet. Since the Covid pandemic there has been a huge rise in sanitiser consumption by addicts chasing an alcoholic high, with potentially fatal results. Meanwhile, scantily clad men and women offer sexual services, in a bid to attract potential sex tourists. One 20-something guy, dressed in hot pants and a short top, provocatively thrusts his groin and twerks beside a drain pipe. 'It's like a toilet bowl' 11 Long term street survivor Zo Webb says 'only the strong survive' in Skid Row Credit: JDMC LA County's 2022 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count stated 4,400 people are experiencing homelessness in the Skid Row neighbourhood - but locals claim that figure is at least 25 per cent higher. Officials labelled it 'the epicentre of homelessness in the nation', adding: 'Skid Row also experiences the highest overdose mortality rate in LA County.' It's estimated that 60,000 people live without a permanent roof over their head in greater LA. Long term street survivor Zo Webb, 55, tells us 'only the strong survive" in that environment. 'You wouldn't want your animals to live in this situation. It is dangerous out here. You got a lot of killers and molesters. It is like a toilet bowl," he says. You wouldn't want your animals to live in this situation. It is dangerous out here. You got a lot of killers and molesters. It is like a toilet bowl Webb, who has battled addiction, PTSD and mental illness since his teenage years, adds that he is on the streets 'by choice' because his family cannot deal with his problems . Compton-born Webb, 55, proudly declares he had been off cocaine for four days, but admits dealers target him aware of his instability. 'You know it's here," he says, noting that the price can be 'anywhere from a dollar'. Rocking back and forward he continues: 'That isn't going to have an effect on me.' Webb has vowed to stay clean and 'communicate with my family', expressing his thanks to charities and LA City resources for assistance during the day. But overnight those safe havens close, leaving many vulnerable to dealers and armed violent gangs. 'It is what it is. I am not going into that. There are a lot of addicts here from all around the world," he adds. 'I have seen kids take drugs.' In 2020 official California state figures stated more than 5,000 Californians died from opioid overdoses, and 3,946 died due to fentanyl overdose. Katherine White, Director of Operations and Patient Care for medical non profit which provides free health clinics, tells The Sun: 'Drugs are cheap. Five bucks a day is a pretty solid habit. 'And if you're hungry, you can get high on fentanyl cheaper than you can eat. 'Between what you can beg, borrow, steal, sell yourself and sell whatever you can come across, the compulsion to continue using is so overwhelming - that is going to take precedence over everything else.' Violent attacks 11 Dozens of down and outs appear ravaged by the effects of drugs, addictions, alcoholism and mental illness Credit: JDMC 11 There is barely a street corner where people are not out cold seemingly tripping or dealing with deep seated issues Credit: JDMC 11 Tracy Gollo, 53, shared a shocking insight into her terrifying existence, surviving daily violent attacks and thefts - including being punched in the face that very morning Credit: JDMC Ex-hairstylist Tracy Gollo, 53, lives a terrifying existence, enduring daily violent attacks and thefts. 'This morning I got punched in the face," she tells us. "They stole all my wigs." 'I have been jumped on nine times in the last two weeks. I have gone through four tents. Stuff gets stolen daily.' Teary-eyed, she recalls how after getting a new tent, 'they burned that tent up the first night with me and my dogs in it… they poured lighter fluid all over it.' Tracy is targeted by criminals, gangs or drug addicts 'whenever somebody needs money". Showing us bruises on her arms and legs, she says: 'My teeth are like this because my ex-wife abused me... in her defence she was overly medicated and was schizophrenic.' If you're hungry, you can get high on fentanyl cheaper than you can eat Katherine White New York born Tracy admits her beloved dogs are her "babies" who "give me hope' amid desperate moments. Tracy, who has battled a brain tumour, mental health issues, diabetes and high blood pressure, is upset at not being put up in a city housing facility, having been interacting with officials for two years. 'Things are not getting better. They are not housing people. They (the city) only house people when they need to show off," she says. Tracy navigates life barefoot, dodging piles of putrid-smelling trash including dog and human excrement and used toilet paper. She moans: "You can't get anyone to clean up anything.' 'People disappear all the time' 11 It's estimated 60,000 live without a permanent roof over their head in greater LA Credit: JDMC 11 Official figures state 4,400 people are experiencing homelessness in the Skid Row neighbourhood - but the number is believed to be much higher Credit: JDMC A friendly private security guard, who works with one of the charity missions caring for the homeless, said the city's efforts to regularly house the homeless, clean streets and remove tents are "short term". He said: "Honestly, many of those Skid Row streets are getting worse, because it feels more people are addicts because of the cheap drug prices and many low income folk are facing financial ruin and ending up homeless, because of high rents and the increased cost of living. "For every person that gets housed, it feels like two more turn up in tents." The family man, who wishes to remain anonymous, insists city officials have little concept of the real dangers on the street. He added: 'People disappear all the time. Any female is seen by gangs as someone to use for sex trafficking or prostitution. 'When they go home, after 10 at night people living here have no idea whether they are going to survive the night," he says. "There is so much criminality that it's impossible for law enforcement to monitor.' When she and her WoundWalk team visit, Ms White says they try to offer medical aid, treatments and advice to hundreds on the street, but she admits females remain extremely vulnerable. "I don't think I've talked to hardly any women out here that haven't been assaulted," she says. 'They don't bother trying to complain because who's going to do anything? Who's actually going to stand up and who's going to investigate? "The sex trafficking is also part of this. So if you're participating in this, then if you're raped, does it even count? Yes, of course it counts. 'But that's the attitude that they get treated with. Having the choice over your body is an important part of life.' I don't think I've talked to hardly any women out here that haven't been assaulted Katherine White A former Las Vegas security guard, who identifies as TL, lives out of a giant blue suitcase packed with neatly folded clothes. He tells us: 'I am not a drug addict. I've had five bedroom houses, sports cars and been to nice places. There is nobody I can call to help me get back on my feet. 'I can stay in a shelter where I may get a staph infection or be robbed; or I can move around in the streets where nobody knows where I am. 'But people get killed out here all the time. People get hit in the head here with hammer and all kinds of s***, so you have to keep moving.' The 50-year-old, who grew up in South Central LA, says sexually transmitted diseases are rife. 'I don't have unprotected sex with weirdos," he says. 'There are dangers everywhere.' TL claims that a couple of months ago he was protecting world famous superstars including Mariah Carey, Usher, Drake and Lady Gaga, as a Sin City concert guard, but money issues and a divorce left him broke. 'Imagine, I had the best seat in the house and then I had to go to sleep behind a garbage can," he says. 11 Katherine White, from medical non profit says 'If you're hungry, you can get high on fentanyl cheaper than you can eat' Credit: JDMC 11 Local florist Hadder Gala, whose family have worked there for a decade, admitted: 'People do not like coming here because they are scared' Credit: JDMC Incredibly many businesses attempt to survive amid this human devastation, but it's hard. Many hire security guards, or unite to deal 'on the street' with problematic vagrants - such as inside America's largest wholesale flower market, known as The Flower District. Local florist Hadder Gala, whose family have worked there for a decade, admits: 'People do not like coming here because they are scared.' He adds that troubling incidents occur 'every day' and homeless numbers are 'growing". Hadder expresses his upset at seeing so many mentally unwell people, adding: 'I don't like how people are going through that. "For all this to get better… the government has to help these people." Ms White also raises questions about the battle to assist the homeless. 'I don't want to ever call this normal," she says. 'When you consider the amount of billions of dollars that have been set aside for service, we should be flooded with social workers and counselling.' LA County has attempted for the last decade to reduce the crises with a raft of initiatives and collaboration with city, state and governmental agencies and arms. Private businesses are also involved. Officials point to successes such as the 19-story high-rise Weingart Center apartment building which will house almost 300 homeless in Skid Row. The recently opened Skid Row Care Campus, offering a raft of services including showers, counselling, employment assistance and food, has been deemed a success. In June 2023, Housing for Health and partners were awarded a £44m ($60m) state grant to provide housing and services to an estimated 2,500 individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness on Skid Row. The funding served as a catalyst for the Skid Row Action Plan, a £205m ($280m) initiative developed in collaboration with community members, business owners and service providers. Traumatic history Libby Boyce, senior manager at the Homeless Initiative for the County of Los Angeles and former-deputy director of Housing for the city, is optimistic about the future. She admits Skid Row's residents have 'traumatic histories' but insists the area is "a vibrant and special community' with 'arts all over the place". "Even though it looks to the naked eye, the way it looks, it's a beautiful place. Working there taught me that," she says. 'When you sit down and talk to people, if you have any empathy in your heart, you go, 'Wow, I can't believe that they're still alive.' 'So at the end of the day, that's what I think the misunderstanding is.' Boyce, speaking at the 16th Thirst Gala at the SLS Hotel in LA, believes the Skid Row Campus has made a difference already. 'We have a real problem in LA with the lack of affordable housing, and we also have a huge rental burden," she says. "You can't get an apartment for under $2,000 [£1,471] in Los Angeles. So it's really about economics. 'People who have very traumatic histories who maybe don't handle stress the same way. Somebody who doesn't have a traumatic history, and then they land up un-housed and it just spirals from there.' She adds: 'We've housed so many people. Unfortunately, the new administration is cutting our housing, which is a bummer, but we'll just keep on housing people as much as we can and hope that we can keep people from falling into homelessness." Boyce urged for more investment in police officers on the streets to assist vulnerable groups.
The Irish Sun
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I was ringside for Michael Jackson's abuse trial…from secret injury to 110mph chase, I KNOW what put him in early grave
IT'S the child abuse trial which rocked the showbiz world and saw a pop legend hauled up in court on a slew of heinous charges. Now, 20 years on, we can reveal the drama behind the headlines which saw 17 It is 20 years since Michael Jackson faced child abuse charges brought against him in a bombshell trial Credit: 2005 Getty Images 17 His lawyer Brian Oxman thinks the trial contributed to his early death Credit: JDMC 17 Many of the abuse claims leveled at Michael were based at his Neverland Ranch Credit: Rex Features 17 Michael died in 2009 at just 50 years old Credit: Getty - Pool The frail star, who faced charges of abuse against teenager Over four months Michael, then 46, watched 15-year-old Gavin accuse him of sexual abuse, supported by claims from brother Star and mum Janet that his family was held captive at Michael's Neverland Ranch - famed for its funfair and zoo. In the decades since the trial, further claims have been made regarding Jackson's alleged horrific abuse at the estate, notably by Wade Robson and James Safechuck in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland. The singer's lawyer, Brian Oxman, believes the torment of the 2005 trial led to MJ's death four years later from a drug overdose - and reveals the late night calls from the terrified Thriller star. 'Michael rang at all hours of the night, dozens of times,' Brian tells The Sun. 'He kept asking 'Why? I treated them so well - and they make up these lies'. 'He could never fathom it until the day he died.' He adds: 'We would talk about it for long hours about 'the evil' that went on to destroy him. He did not understand. 'No matter what I did, he could not understand and my firm belief is that this prosecution destroyed him.' He also reveals Michael felt 'betrayed' by shamed BBC star Leaving Neverland documentary clip from Channel 4 And he believes the King of Pop knew he would have died in prison if he had been convicted. 'If Michael went to jail, he would probably have died. He knew that,' he says. 'Child molestation is the worst of all crimes in our jail system. Those people are looked down on and abused by their fellow inmates. 'They are beaten, hurt and treated horribly.' Horror hospital dash 17 The pop star was pictured attending court in his pyjamas Credit: Alamy 17 Gavin Arvizo was one of the people who made allegations of child abuse against Michael Jackson Credit: Granada Television 17 It was alleged that the abuse took place at the star's California mansion Credit: Alamy At the height of the trial, in March 2005, the iconic photo of the star sporting baggy pyjama bottoms, a white T-shirt and a giant suit jacket made headlines around the world and became Time Magazine's Photo of The Year. It also cemented the reputation for eccentric behaviour which saw him dubbed 'Wacko Jacko". But the truth behind the bizarre look was a frantic dash from the hospital where he'd been admitted hours before with suspected broken ribs after a shower fall at his Neverland home. The singer's court absence prompted Judge Ronald L Whyte to fear the defendant had absconded - forfeiting a $3m bail. Despite lawyers' assurances, the judge ordered the star to be back in court within an hour or be sent to jail until the trial's end for a bail breach. He'd plead guilty to assassinating Abraham Lincoln Brian Oxman, Lawyer The order sent Brian and long term pal Joe - Michael's dad and manager of the Jackson 5 - into a panic. 'The prosecution was elated because they knew that if he forfeited his bail, he was going to jail, and he would never, never be able to live in jail," says Brian. 'The prosecutors knew he'd plead to anything to get out of jail. 'He'd plead guilty to assassinating Abraham Lincoln. 'They knew he'd do anything to limit or stop his incarceration.' Defence attorneys frantically called Michael's security, warning of the jail threat, which led to a desperate dash up the 101 freeway towards Santa Maria - pursued by dozens of fans. 'They were doing 110 miles an hour and the fans followed,' says Brian. 'That freeway had a dirt centre divider, which had potholes and was horribly dangerous. All someone had to do was to hit one of those potholes and it would have flipped and somebody would have been killed.' Arriving an hour and 10 minutes later, the star had his bail forfeited but escaped jail. Father-son bond 17 Throughout the trial, Michael was supported by his dad Joe Credit: Getty - Pool 17 Katherine Jackson was also at the trial to support her son against the allegations of abuse Credit: Getty Father Joe - who Michael famously accused of child abuse and bullying - was vital in convincing the sickly star to leave the hospital. 'Joe said, 'Michael, I'm your father. You listen to me - you have got to get to court, no excuses.'' Brian insists Michael 'loved' and 'respected' Joe dearly despite the claims of a feud. 'In the car MJ said, 'I can't walk in just with my pyjamas' so a huge bodyguard named Keith handed over his black jacket. 'It is Time Magazine's picture of the year - if not picture of the decade. 'And who's right next to him in that picture? His dad, Joe, who saved his life.' Brian insists Michael was not faking his injury or looking for sympathy as the lawyer saw a 'huge welt' on the right side of his body. 'He showed me on his chest this huge welt and says 'Brian did I break a bone?' 'And I felt his chest and I said 'I can't tell for sure'. 'I felt a terrible lump but there was a huge injury there.' Abuse accusations 17 Jordan Chandler accused Michael of child abuse in 1993 and received a pay off Credit: News UK Ltd 17 Michael was said to be deeply uncomfortable when Gavin leaned on him in the Bashir interview Credit: Granada Television 17 Wade Robson also claimed he was abused by Michael as a child Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Michael was first accused of child abuse by But in December 2003, Michael was charged with 14 offences in relation to Brian, an early member of the trial defence team, helped pull together over one and a half million pages of documents and 120 subpoenas. He sent a 15-page dossier with 700 exhibits of evidence to devastated MJ showing the strength of their case in late 2004. 'He called me from the ranch and there was no voice. (I said) 'Michael is that you?' 'He couldn't catch his breath,' says Brian. 'He said, 'Why, Brian? Why are they doing this to me?'" Despite numerous allegations that have surfaced since the star's death, Brian insists there was no evidence for the criminal charges, citing that Michael was not at Neverland on days when Gavin claimed he was abused at the estate. Dashed documentary hopes 17 Michael thought a documentary about his life would aid his comeback Credit: AFP 17 He hoped to one day perform with his children but that never happened Credit: Rex Features Michael's mental health was also rocked by 'the betrayal' of TV interviewer Martin Bashir, with whom he'd plotted a comeback through a documentary about his life, in 2003. But the Living With Michael Jackson series prompted worldwide controversy after he openly boasted about sleeping with children in his bed at Neverland. Cameras caught cancer survivor Gavin leaning his head on MJ's shoulder, discussing their close bond. Brian claims the BBC journalist - who was later found to have falsified documents to persuade Princess Diana to agree to an interview - manipulated Michael and set up the disturbing scenes. Brian raged: 'Bashir used the fact Princess Diana trusted him for the Panorama interview to get in with Michael - who at that time had no idea that he had deceived Diana. 'Gavin wasn't in Michael's life when he filmed, but Bashir and his team asked to meet one of the kids he had helped. 'Bashir talked to Arvizo before the interview and then during the recording he rested his head on Michael's shoulder and held his hand. They knew he'd do anything to limit or stop his incarceration Brian Oxman, Lawyer 'Michael said afterwards: 'That never happened before and I didn't know what to do. I don't know him. And I haven't seen him for a year and almost a half. Why was he acting like my bosom buddy?' 'Michael believed that Bashir may have told Arvizo to do that but no-one knew what really happened. 'Bashir told Michael he wanted to show the real man in a fair way, but when asked about sleeping with children he was so rattled. 'It was a shambles. Why his managers didn't stop it I will never know. 'That show set a stampede in motion which led to the trial. It was the beginning of the end for him.' Bashir later took the stand as the first prosecution witness and Brian says after the verdict, the reporter strolled over and apologised, saying: 'Nothing personal Michael.' 'Michael could not believe it, because inside he was fuming,' he says. 'Michael simply stared back, said nothing and turned away.' Destroyed reputation 17 Lawyer Brian claims the stigma of the allegations against Michael devastated the star Credit: EPA 17 Brian was by Michael's side throughout the abuse trial in 2005 Credit: JDMC Despite the acquittal, many people believe the star behaved inappropriately with young boys. In the summer of 2005 a Gallup Poll reported that 80 per cent of the US public believed Michael was guilty of abuse. 'It damaged Michael beyond repair,' says Brian. 'He was utterly numb. He was mentally, emotionally exhausted. 'Michael said: 'I'm an entertainer. I depend upon the people, 80 per cent of them think I'm guilty?'' MJ fled to Bahrain as a guest of Sheikh Abdulla Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the king's son, with the promise of a comeback concert and album. That plan fell apart within a year, leading him into a semi-nomadic life with his three kids, Prince, now 31, Paris, 29 and Bigi, 24. Drowning in debt, he committed to a London O2 residency This Is It. But, in constant pain after a serious back injury he sustained when a stage collapsed at a Munich gig in 1999, he was already hooked on painkillers and anaesthetic Propofol. He died in LA on June 25 2009 - days before the sellout comeback - after suffering a cardiac arrest from a Propofol and benzodiazepines overdose. Fresh allegations have since emerged. In 2019 documentary, Leaving Neverland, But Brian says it was the 2005 trial that pushed him over the edge. 'That was the start of the end,' says Brian. 'He was in pain, depression and constantly harassed with accusations. 'Think about it. 'Wacko Jacko, crazy, child molester.' How much can one human being take? 'It was too much for him. I told him he would come through and his mettle would be stronger because of the fire. And in certain ways, that was true, but in other ways, it started this spiral down. It meant the end for Michael.' 17 Michael never recovered from the trauma of the trial and his lawyer thinks it led to his early death Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I was ringside for Michael Jackson's abuse trial…from secret injury to 110mph chase, I KNOW what put him in early grave
IT'S the child abuse trial which rocked the showbiz world and saw a pop legend hauled up in court on a slew of heinous charges. Now, 20 years on, we can reveal the drama behind the headlines which saw Michael Jackson rushed to hospital with horrific injuries and convinced he would be MURDERED in prison. 17 It is 20 years since Michael Jackson faced child abuse charges brought against him in a bombshell trial Credit: 2005 Getty Images 17 His lawyer Brian Oxman thinks the trial contributed to his early death Credit: JDMC 17 Many of the abuse claims leveled at Michael were based at his Neverland Ranch Credit: Rex Features 17 Michael died in 2009 at just 50 years old Credit: Getty - Pool The frail star, who faced charges of abuse against teenager Gavin Arvizo, famously turned up to his trial in pyjamas - before being acquitted of all 14 charges on June 13, 2005. Over four months Michael, then 46, watched 15-year-old Gavin accuse him of sexual abuse, supported by claims from brother Star and mum Janet that his family was held captive at Michael's Neverland Ranch - famed for its funfair and zoo. In the decades since the trial, further claims have been made regarding Jackson's alleged horrific abuse at the estate, notably by Wade Robson and James Safechuck in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland. The singer's lawyer, Brian Oxman, believes the torment of the 2005 trial led to MJ's death four years later from a drug overdose - and reveals the late night calls from the terrified Thriller star. 'Michael rang at all hours of the night, dozens of times,' Brian tells The Sun. 'He kept asking 'Why? I treated them so well - and they make up these lies'. 'He could never fathom it until the day he died.' He adds: 'We would talk about it for long hours about 'the evil' that went on to destroy him. He did not understand. 'No matter what I did, he could not understand and my firm belief is that this prosecution destroyed him.' He also reveals Michael felt 'betrayed' by shamed BBC star Martin Bashir for painting him as a paedophile in a controversial documentary which 'started a stampede' towards abuse allegations. Leaving Neverland documentary clip from Channel 4 And he believes the King of Pop knew he would have died in prison if he had been convicted. 'If Michael went to jail, he would probably have died. He knew that,' he says. 'Child molestation is the worst of all crimes in our jail system. Those people are looked down on and abused by their fellow inmates. 'They are beaten, hurt and treated horribly.' Horror hospital dash 17 The pop star was pictured attending court in his pyjamas Credit: Alamy 17 Gavin Arvizo was one of the people who made allegations of child abuse against Michael Jackson Credit: Granada Television 17 It was alleged that the abuse took place at the star's California mansion Credit: Alamy At the height of the trial, in March 2005, the iconic photo of the star sporting baggy pyjama bottoms, a white T-shirt and a giant suit jacket made headlines around the world and became Time Magazine's Photo of The Year. It also cemented the reputation for eccentric behaviour which saw him dubbed 'Wacko Jacko". But the truth behind the bizarre look was a frantic dash from the hospital where he'd been admitted hours before with suspected broken ribs after a shower fall at his Neverland home. The singer's court absence prompted Judge Ronald L Whyte to fear the defendant had absconded - forfeiting a $3m bail. Despite lawyers' assurances, the judge ordered the star to be back in court within an hour or be sent to jail until the trial's end for a bail breach. He'd plead guilty to assassinating Abraham Lincoln Brian Oxman, Lawyer The order sent Brian and long term pal Joe - Michael's dad and manager of the Jackson 5 - into a panic. 'The prosecution was elated because they knew that if he forfeited his bail, he was going to jail, and he would never, never be able to live in jail," says Brian. 'The prosecutors knew he'd plead to anything to get out of jail. 'He'd plead guilty to assassinating Abraham Lincoln. 'They knew he'd do anything to limit or stop his incarceration.' Defence attorneys frantically called Michael's security, warning of the jail threat, which led to a desperate dash up the 101 freeway towards Santa Maria - pursued by dozens of fans. 'They were doing 110 miles an hour and the fans followed,' says Brian. 'That freeway had a dirt centre divider, which had potholes and was horribly dangerous. All someone had to do was to hit one of those potholes and it would have flipped and somebody would have been killed.' Arriving an hour and 10 minutes later, the star had his bail forfeited but escaped jail. Father-son bond 17 Throughout the trial, Michael was supported by his dad Joe Credit: Getty - Pool 17 Katherine Jackson was also at the trial to support her son against the allegations of abuse Credit: Getty Father Joe - who Michael famously accused of child abuse and bullying - was vital in convincing the sickly star to leave the hospital. 'Joe said, 'Michael, I'm your father. You listen to me - you have got to get to court, no excuses.'' Brian insists Michael 'loved' and 'respected' Joe dearly despite the claims of a feud. 'In the car MJ said, 'I can't walk in just with my pyjamas' so a huge bodyguard named Keith handed over his black jacket. 'It is Time Magazine's picture of the year - if not picture of the decade. 'And who's right next to him in that picture? His dad, Joe, who saved his life.' Brian insists Michael was not faking his injury or looking for sympathy as the lawyer saw a 'huge welt' on the right side of his body. 'He showed me on his chest this huge welt and says 'Brian did I break a bone?' 'And I felt his chest and I said 'I can't tell for sure'. 'I felt a terrible lump but there was a huge injury there.' Abuse accusations 17 Jordan Chandler accused Michael of child abuse in 1993 and received a pay off Credit: News UK Ltd 17 Michael was said to be deeply uncomfortable when Gavin leaned on him in the Bashir interview Credit: Granada Television 17 Wade Robson also claimed he was abused by Michael as a child Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Michael was first accused of child abuse by Jordan Chandler in 1993, but the case was settled out of court, with the star paying his accuser $15m. But in December 2003, Michael was charged with 14 offences in relation to Gavin Arvizo, including four counts of molesting a child, four counts of getting a child drunk so that he could molest him, one count of trying to molest a child, and one count of secretly planning (conspiring) to hold the boy and his family captive. Brian, an early member of the trial defence team, helped pull together over one and a half million pages of documents and 120 subpoenas. He sent a 15-page dossier with 700 exhibits of evidence to devastated MJ showing the strength of their case in late 2004. 'He called me from the ranch and there was no voice. (I said) 'Michael is that you?' 'He couldn't catch his breath,' says Brian. 'He said, 'Why, Brian? Why are they doing this to me?'" Despite numerous allegations that have surfaced since the star's death, Brian insists there was no evidence for the criminal charges, citing that Michael was not at Neverland on days when Gavin claimed he was abused at the estate. Dashed documentary hopes 17 Michael thought a documentary about his life would aid his comeback Credit: AFP 17 He hoped to one day perform with his children but that never happened Credit: Rex Features Michael's mental health was also rocked by 'the betrayal' of TV interviewer Martin Bashir, with whom he'd plotted a comeback through a documentary about his life, in 2003. But the Living With Michael Jackson series prompted worldwide controversy after he openly boasted about sleeping with children in his bed at Neverland. Cameras caught cancer survivor Gavin leaning his head on MJ's shoulder, discussing their close bond. Brian claims the BBC journalist - who was later found to have falsified documents to persuade Princess Diana to agree to an interview - manipulated Michael and set up the disturbing scenes. Brian raged: 'Bashir used the fact Princess Diana trusted him for the Panorama interview to get in with Michael - who at that time had no idea that he had deceived Diana. 'Gavin wasn't in Michael's life when he filmed, but Bashir and his team asked to meet one of the kids he had helped. 'Bashir talked to Arvizo before the interview and then during the recording he rested his head on Michael's shoulder and held his hand. They knew he'd do anything to limit or stop his incarceration Brian Oxman, Lawyer 'Michael said afterwards: 'That never happened before and I didn't know what to do. I don't know him. And I haven't seen him for a year and almost a half. Why was he acting like my bosom buddy?' 'Michael believed that Bashir may have told Arvizo to do that but no-one knew what really happened. 'Bashir told Michael he wanted to show the real man in a fair way, but when asked about sleeping with children he was so rattled. 'It was a shambles. Why his managers didn't stop it I will never know. 'That show set a stampede in motion which led to the trial. It was the beginning of the end for him.' Bashir later took the stand as the first prosecution witness and Brian says after the verdict, the reporter strolled over and apologised, saying: 'Nothing personal Michael.' 'Michael could not believe it, because inside he was fuming,' he says. 'Michael simply stared back, said nothing and turned away.' Destroyed reputation 17 Lawyer Brian claims the stigma of the allegations against Michael devastated the star Credit: EPA 17 Brian was by Michael's side throughout the abuse trial in 2005 Credit: JDMC Despite the acquittal, many people believe the star behaved inappropriately with young boys. In the summer of 2005 a Gallup Poll reported that 80 per cent of the US public believed Michael was guilty of abuse. 'It damaged Michael beyond repair,' says Brian. 'He was utterly numb. He was mentally, emotionally exhausted. 'Michael said: 'I'm an entertainer. I depend upon the people, 80 per cent of them think I'm guilty?'' MJ fled to Bahrain as a guest of Sheikh Abdulla Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the king's son, with the promise of a comeback concert and album. That plan fell apart within a year, leading him into a semi-nomadic life with his three kids, Prince, now 31, Paris, 29 and Bigi, 24. Drowning in debt, he committed to a London O2 residency This Is It. But, in constant pain after a serious back injury he sustained when a stage collapsed at a Munich gig in 1999, he was already hooked on painkillers and anaesthetic Propofol. He died in LA on June 25 2009 - days before the sellout comeback - after suffering a cardiac arrest from a Propofol and benzodiazepines overdose. Fresh allegations have since emerged. In 2019 documentary, Leaving Neverland, Wade Robson and James Safechuck accused the star of sexually abusing them for years, from when they were respectively seven and 10 years old. But Brian says it was the 2005 trial that pushed him over the edge. 'That was the start of the end,' says Brian. 'He was in pain, depression and constantly harassed with accusations. 'Think about it. 'Wacko Jacko, crazy, child molester.' How much can one human being take? 'It was too much for him. I told him he would come through and his mettle would be stronger because of the fire. And in certain ways, that was true, but in other ways, it started this spiral down. It meant the end for Michael.'
