Is this the crypt where Michael Jackson's body is? Singer kept on ice while police decide whether to launch murder probe

Michael Jackson's body is thought to be on ice in this crypt while police decide whether to launch a murder investigation.

Three weeks after Jackson's sudden death, the singer has still not been buried and his remains are being refrigerated at an underground tomb to avoid the need for an exhumation, it was revealed yesterday.

The marble vault at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles is reportedly owned by Motown maestro Berry Gordy.

Jackson's temporary resting place: The crypt is said to be owned by Berry Gordy

Going underground: The tomb will house the singer's body until he is buried

Law enforcement sources said the Jackson family has delayed burial because they expect detectives investigating the death to confirm they are now conducting a full-blown murder inquiry.

One target of the probe is said to be Dr Conrad Murray, the physician who was with Jackson when his heart stopped and tried unsuccessfully to revive him.

Unburied: Jackson died three weeks ago

Several other doctors, including the star's former dermatologist, Dr Arnold Klein, have also being interviewed.

Investigators now believe ! Jackson died after being illegally administered the powerful s! edative Propofol, an anaesthetic that is only supposed to be used in hospitals.

Within hours of Jackson's death on June 25, police were suspicious about the coterie of doctors who allegedly provided him with a steady supply of prescription drugs over the years.

But the focus of the investigation switched to Propofol after vials of the drug were found in Jackson's rented Holmby Hills mansion after he died.

An IV stand and an oxygen mask that may have been used to help administer the anaesthetic were also found during two sweeps of the house.

Jackson reportedly used the knock-out drug in the past to help with his chronic insomnia.

Detectives are still awaiting the now-imminent results of toxicology tests ordered by the Los Angeles Coroner before announcing their next move.

While officers are not suggesting anyone deliberately killed the 50-year-old King of Pop, they say that if evidence emerges that a doctor illegally gave Jackson a lethal dose of ! Propofol, then he could face possible second degree murder or manslaughter charges.

Confident of murder probe: Jackson's family (from left) sister Janet, daughter Paris, son Prince Michael II and sister La Toya at his memorial service

'Are we dealing with a homicide? Are we dealing with an accidental overdose? Based on those tests, we will have an idea what we are dealing with,' said Los Angeles police chief William Bratton.

Both Jackson's father, Joe, and his sister, LaToya, have publicly claimed that they believe foul play was involved in the singer's death.

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Probe target: Dr Conrad Murray

Friends say the family doesn't want to leave anything to chance in the police investigation and decided to delay the burial rather than risking having to exhume the body if new clues emerge from the autopsy.

They are also waiting for the results of their privately commissioned second autopsy.

'This way, the police can move quickly if there is anything more they need to know.

'The family believes their number one priority right now is finding out exactly how Michael died and making sure people are made to be held accountable if they had anything to d with his death,' said a family friend.

'There is a reason the police put the murder squad in charge of this investigation from the start. They already had strong suspicions that it was more than a simple accident,' he added.

The family were also hoping for the return of parts of Jackson's brain that had been used

To carry out neuropat! hology tests before they gave the go ahead for his body to be moved to a final resting place.

Police this week visited the Beverly Hills office of Dr Klein, saying he had not fully complied with a request to hand over his medical records.

One report suggested investigators already had 'plenty of powerful evidence' that could help lead to a successful prosecution over Jackson's death.

Detectives are said to have spoken to the Los Angeles District Attorney's office about bringing possible criminal charges.

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