P source: No public Neverland memorial planned
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD
Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- An effort to bury Michael Jackson at Neverland Ranch fizzled and it appears more likely a funeral and burial will take place in Los Angeles, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Authorities in Santa Barbara County had been preparing for tens of thousands of fans to descend on the 2,500-acre ranch after media reports that a public viewing would take place later this week.
But the person, who is not authorized to speak for the family and requested anonymity, said nothing is planned for Neverland at least through Friday.
The person said it appears more likely a funeral and burial will take place in Los Angeles. The family has the final say.
A private memorial service for family and friends could take place at the ranch, most likely after the funeral.
The person said billionaire Thomas Barrack, who owns Neverland in a joint venture with Jackson, sought an exemption to bury the singer at the ranch. But the person says it's a complicated process and it couldn't be done for a burial this week.
"The family is aware a Neverland burial is not possible. They are expected to make decisions about whatever funeral and memorial service" will take place, the source said.
Heavy construction equipment and workers were seen passing through the wrought-iron gates of Neverland on Tuesday. The property is about 120 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
At once a symbol of Jackson's success and excesses, Neverland - the 2,500-acre property nestled in the hills of Santa Barbara County's wine country - became the site of a makeshift memorial after his death Thursday.
chael Jackson will not be buried at Neverland ranch
Funeral arrangements for Michael Jackson are still in flux, but one thing is clear: The pop icon will not be buried at Neverland ranch.
Jackson’s family wanted him interred at the Santa Barbara County estate, the site of some of the happiest and saddest times in his life, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had agreed to help clear any state bureaucratic hurdles, a source close to the situation told The Times.
But in the end, the source said, county officials could not find a way to quickly circumvent legal restrictions governing burial at a private residence.
"It’s nobody’s fault. Everybody in Santa Barbara feels bad about it,” the source said.
Law enforcement officials had expressed concerns about thousands of cars driving up a narrow mountain road to Neverland.
Santa Barbara County sheriff's Lt. Butch Arnoldi said that the two-lane Figueroa Mountain Road is not designed for a crush of cars and that his department is discussing how to make the route to Neverland as safe as possible.
There have also been reports the memorial might be held at Staples Center.
Santa Barbara County spokesman William Boyer said Wednesday that despite meetings to prepare for the possibility of a memorial service, county officials had not heard from the Jackson family.
"There's been no decisions that have been made as of last night," Boyer said. He said the county and sheriff's officials had been in touch with their law enforcement counterparts in Southern California.
LAPD officials said Tuesday that they met with the Jackson family but that no final decision had been made on either a memorial service or funeral plans.
-- Harriet Ryan and Andrew Blankstein
A source tells AP that, despite widespread media reports, there is no public memorial planned for Michael Jackson at Neverland.
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