Early news reports emerged this morning that the king of pop himself, Michael Jackson, had died after suffering a heart attack in Los Angeles, and we can now confirm that these reports are true. Michael Jackson has passed away.

News outlets worldwide confirm that the embattled 50-year-old music star had a massive cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital, dying en route as CPR failed to revive him.

The distressing news of MJ’s death comes just weeks before his 50-strong set of comeback shows in London were scheduled to take place, his first live event in 12 years. The LA Times is reporting that a medical screening had cleared Jackson as healthy in the lead up to the performances, and therefore the news of his death is an even greater shock.

Here at ITM, we’re aware of how Jackson’s death will consume the media for the foreseeable future, so we’ll say succinctly that Michael Jackson was an unparalleled performer whose musical legacy will surely outlive that of his celebrity. He will be missed.