FROM COAST

AT the tender age of 12, Vicky Jaggers cradled her newborn daughter Kirsty for the very first time.

Becoming a mother at such a young age life was always going to be difficult - but Vicky was also burdened by a horrific secret.

Her 17-year-old brother David was Kirsty's father - having RAPED Vicky several times in a matter of months.

Vicky vowed to keep the devastating truth to herself to protect her family.

Pain ... Vicky at 14 with Kirsty

Eastnews Press

But after 18 harrowing years, she bravely decided in 2004 to reveal the sickening secret to the police after monster David Jaggers, now 39, was arrested for the rape and kidnap of his then girlfriend.

DNA tests proved that David was Kirsty's father and, with Vicky courageously testifying against her sadistic brother, he is now serving a life sentence for his crimes.

Determined to give other rape survivors a voice, Vicky has now written about her ordeal in an autobiography called Silenced.

The 34-year-old says: "The evil abuse David inflicted on me ruined my young life. I had to lie to my family for 18 years about Kirsty's father, as I thought telling my parents would destroy them.

"However, there is one good thing to come out of my horrific story - Kirsty."

HEAR VICKY TELL HER STORY TO GAUNTY ON SUNTALK FROM 10AM TODAY.

Vile David brutally snatched away Vicky's innocence when she was just 12.

As she slept in her room above the pub owned by their mum Avril, now 63, and dad Len, who passed away in 1994, David climbed into Vicky's bed and raped her.

Vicky says: "I had no idea what he was doing - it seemed so unreal.

"Obviously I was a virgin and knew hardly anything about sex - but I knew what David was doing was very wrong.

"I can remember being in agony, but also too terrified to scream out.

Terrible

"It seemed to go on for ever and when the attack was finally over David simply got out of bed and left - shutting my bedroom door like nothing had happened.

"I cried all night and pushed my cupboard in front of my door in case he came back. The next morning I was desperate to say something to Mum and Dad.

"But when I saw David, his expression told me that if I said a word, he would kill me. So my parents had no idea about the horror that had occurred."

Over the following months, David raped Vicky twice more - on both occasions sneaking into her bedroom while she slept.

Vicky, from Tilbury, Essex, says: "I felt dirty and useless. The next day, I would sit in the bath for hours and try to scrub myself clean. But nothing could wash away the memories of those terrible attacks."

Shortly after his last attack, David left the family home to move in with friends.

Vicky explains: "It was a relief to have him out of the house. I hoped to be rid of him for ever. At that point, I had no idea I was carrying his child."

In fact, Vicky did not know she was pregnant until three months before the birth. After she suffered stomach pains, a doctor found she was six months pregnant.

Vicky says: "I was big as a child and always wore baggy jumpers, so no one had noticed my growing stomach.

"Hearing I was six months pregnant was devastating and knowing it was David's baby made me feel physically sick."

Hope ... Vicky is looking to the future with new man Kelly

Eastnews Press

Even then, Vicky did not tell her parents who the real father was - claiming it was a boy she had met the previous summer at a caravan park.

She says: "It was heartbreaking to see their disappointment. I was desperate to tell them the truth but thought they might think badly of me.

"I was 12, terrified and about to be a mother to my brother's child."

In July 1987, Vicky gave birth to Kirsty and decided not to put her up for adoption.

She says: "I was lucky enough to have my parents' support and even though I knew the terrible secret of Kirsty's real father, my heart filled with love for her."

A year after the birth, Vicky saw David again, when he moved closer to the family home. She says: "It made my stomach turn. He looked sleazy and had a constant lazy grin on his face which twitched.

"He made my skin crawl. When he looked at Kirsty, he didn't show any interest. He must have known she was his, but thankfully he didn't want to go near her."

In 1989, David was arrested for strangling his girlfriend, 23-year-old Helen Mitchell, to death after an argument.

He propped up her body on the sofa and sat with her all night, before leaving in the morning without reporting the crime.

He denied murder but was convicted of manslaughter and jailed for six years.

Over the following years, Vicky had a number of destructive relationships with other men and gave birth to four more children - Alicia, now 17, Sam, 16, Jamie, ten, and eight-year-old Kirk.

But Vicky's life finally changed for the better seven years ago when she met the man she calls her "knight in shining armour" - Kelly, 39, currently unemployed.

She says: "For the first time, I was with a man who truly cared for me and wanted to be a father to my children."

The couple married in August 2002 but however close she got to Kelly, Vicky still felt she could not tell him about the abuse she endured at the hands of her brother. But in December 2004, another shocking twist made Vicky realise she had to open up to her loved ones - and the police.

A nationwide hunt had been launched for David after he kidnapped and raped another girlfriend. Holding her prisoner in his van for three days, he repeatedly raped and beat her.

Evil

Vicky recalls: "This was the breaking point. I knew David would be punished, but the court needed to know the true extent of his evil. I had to come forward."

Rapist ... David in 2004

Vicky decided she first had to tell Kelly, mum Avril and daughter Kirsty.

She says: "I was terrified about their reaction and sobbed hysterically while I spoke. Through the tears, I could only say the words 'rape, David' and 'Kirsty's dad'.

"It was awful to see the hurt on their faces but it was also such a relief - 18 years after David raped me I could finally speak the truth. Mum was devastated and apologised for not looking after me but there was nothing she could have done. Kirsty was in shock and was speechless that her killer uncle was also her father."

After telling the family, Vicky went to the police, who took DNA samples that proved David was Kirsty's dad.

Because of Vicky's brave decision, David admitted two charges of raping her when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court, Essex, in 2005.

Shockingly, he was given just a one-year jail sentence on each count.

He also admitted raping his girlfriend, making threats to kill, false imprisonment and kidnap and was given a life sentence but with a minimum term of just six years.

Vicky says: "When he does come out, I know I will always be protected by my amazing, loving family - something David will never have."

Kirsty, now 21, who has luckily not suffered any health problems despite having parents who are blood relatives, says: "I'm so proud of Mum. She has been through a horrific time, but has always done her best to be a great mum.

"Her brave decision hopefully means David will not be able to hurt any other women."

TAARIFA mpya za uchunguzi wa kifo cha msanii Michael Jackson zimeonyesha matokeo ambayo yanashangaza kwa kiasi kikubwa.

Vyombo mbalimbali vya habari ulimwenguni vimefichua kuwa msanii huyo alikuwa amedhoofika kiasi cha kutisha na kubakia mifupa kutokana na kutokula na kisha kutumia kiasi kikubwa cha vidonge.

Uchunguzi huo umeonyesha kuwa baada ya kifo chake mabaki ya baadhi ya vidonge hivyo yamekutwa tumboni mwake.

Mwili wake, uchunguzi huo umebaini kuwa ulikuwa umedhoofu kiasi kwamba kiuno, mapaja na mabega yake yalikuwa na matundo ya vidonda vingi vya sindano, vinavyodhaniwa kuwa ni vya sindano za kutuliza na kuondoa maumivu ambazo alichomwa mara tatu kutwa, tena kwa miaka mngi.

Pia, amekutwa na makovu mengi yaliyotokana na upasuaji wa mara 13 ailiofanyiwa kwa ajili ya kubadili sura yake.

Wataalam hao wamegundua uchunguzi wa kusikitisha wenye kuonyesha kuwa msanii huyo, Wacko Jacko hali yake ilikuwa imedhoofu wakati mauti yakimkuta wiki iliyopita mjini Los Angeles.

Uchunguzi huo umeonyesha kuwa licha ya kuwa na urefu wa futi tano na inchi 10, lakini msanii huyo alikuwa amepungua uzito na kubakia na kilo chache ambazo hazilingani na urefu wake.

Wataalam hao wanaeleza kuwa alikuwa akila mlo mmoja kutwa, kiasi kwamba wakati akifariki tumbo lake lilikuwa tupu, mabaki ya vidonge vilivyoanza kusagika ambavyo alitumia na sindano ambazo hatimaye zilisababisha moyo wake kusimama. Sampuli zaidi zimechukuliwa kwa ajili ya uchunguzi zaidi.

Kichwani, Wacko Jacko alikuwa amepoteza nywele karibu zote. Mfalme huyo wa pop, uchunguzi umeonyesha kuwa alikuwa akivaa nywele bandia, ambazo wachunguzi hawakuwa na kazi ya kuziondoa kwa ajili ya uchunguzi wao.

Kichwani mwake, upande wa sikio la kushoto, alikuwa na jeraha kubwa ambalo liliacha upara kutokana na ajali ya mwaka 1984 wakati alipoungua moto akipiga picha ya filamu ya tangazo la Kampuni ya Pepso.

Mwili mwake, wachunguzi hao wamebaini kuwa alikuwa amevunjika mbavu kadhaa, ikiaminika kuwa zilitokana na juhudi za kujaribu kuokoa maisha yake baada ya kuzimia. Matundu manne ya sindano yamegundulika karibu na moyo wa msanii huyo.

Uchunguzi huo umeonyesha kuwa harakati za kumwokoa ndizo zilizomsababishia madhara hayo yakiwamo ya sindano tatu zilizochomwa na kupenya ukuta wa moyo wake, kumsababisha madhara.

Katika uchunguzi huo, imeonekana kuwa magoti ya Jackson na sehemu ya mbele ya ugoko wake zilikuwa na majeraha kama ilivyokuwa mgongoni mwake.

Daktari wake binafsi, Conrad Murray, ambaye alikuwa karibu na msanii huyo amekamatwa na kuhojiwa huku familia ya msanii huyo ikieleza kuwa inataka uchunguzi zaidi unatakiwa kufanyika.

Dk Murray, ndiye anayeaminika kumpiga sindano msanii huyo kabla ya umauti kumkuta, akiaminika kumpa dawa iitwayo Demerol, jambo ambalo limemwingiza katika mzozo wa kitibabu.

Rafiki wa karibu wa familia, Mchungaji Jesse Jackson alieleza wasiwasi kuhusu chanzo cha kifo cha msanii huyo na kutaka uchunguzi zaidi na mtaalam, Dk Murray ambaye alikodiwa na Kampuni ya AEG Live , ambayo ilikuwa na jukumu la kuandaa matamasha 50 ya msanii huyo, katika ukumbi wa O2 Arena, London mwezi ujao, achunguzwe zaidi.

MHADHIRI mwandamizi wa Chuo Kikuu Cha Dar-es-Salaam, Professa Haroub Miraji Othman, 66, amefariki dunia usiku wa kuamkia jana katika hoteli ya Abuso Shangani mjini Zanzibar.

Kwa mujibu wa msemaji wa familia hiyo, Ali Uki alisema kifo cha Professa Othuman kilitokea ghafla akiwa usingizini. Alisema wakati mkewe akimuasha, alistuka alipoona Dk Othman haamki na ndipo alipoita watu kumsaidia.

Alisema mkewe pia aliomba msaada wa kuitiwa daktari ili aende kumpima na kuthibitisha kwamba taarifa za kuthibitisha kifo chake zilitolewa majira ya saa 1:30 asubuhi.

Professa Othman alifika mjini hapa juzi asubuhi akitokea Dar es Salaam kwa ajili ya kuhudhuria uzinduzi wa kitabu kilichotungwa na Professa Thomas Burgess, Ali Sultan Issa na Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad kiitwacho ‘Race Revolution and the Struggle for Human Rights in Zanzibar".

Hafla hiyo ilifanyika kwenye ukumbi mpya wa Al- Yamin Funguni mjini hapa na baadaye kuhudhuria uzinduzi wa Tamasha la Nchi za Jahazi (ZIFF) hadi majira ya saa 6:00 usiku baadaye kwenda hoteli ya Abuso iliyo Mji Mkongwe akiwa na mkewe Professa Saida Yahya Othman.

“Professa hakuwa anaumwa jana... si mlimuona alivyokuwa katika usinduzi wa kitabu asubuhi na usiku alikuwa katika uzinduzi wa tamasha la ZIFF. Amefariki alfajiri; kwa hakika kila mtu yatamfika mauti yeye ametangulia na sisi tupo nyuma yake ndio ameshatutoka, tunachofanya sasa ni kuwasiliana na jamaa kwa ajili ya matayarisho ya mazishi,” alisema msemaji huyo.

Makamu mkuu wa Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Professa Rwekaza Mukandala alisema Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam kimestushwa na kifo cha mhadhiri huyo na kumuelezea kuwa ni mtu asiyechoka na mchapakazi mzuri.

Profesa Othman atazikwa leo jioni na mipango ya mazishi inafanyika nyumbani kwake eneo la Baraste - Michenzani. Habari zinasema atazikwa pembeni kwa kaburi la mama yake mkoa wa Mjini Zanzibar.

Mhadhiri huyo atakumbukwa kwa msimamo wake na heshima aliyokuwa amejijengea kitaaluma katika sheria za kimataifa, masuala ya maendeleo na diplomasia.

Hakusita kuwakosoa viongozi wa serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano na Serikali ya Mapinduzi Zanzibar (SMZ) wakati zilipokuwa zikienda kombo.

Mkuu wa Taasisi ya Mawasiliano ya Umma, Dk Bernadetta Killian alisema kuwa amestushwa na kifo cha mhadhiri mwenzake katika chuo kikuu cha Dar es Salaam.

Mgeni rasmi katika uzinduzi wa tamasha hilo la ZIFF alikuwa Waziri Kiongozi wa SMZ, Shamsi Vuai Nahodha na tamasha hilo lilikuwa likirushwa moja kwa moja na kituo cha televisheni cha serikali, TVZ.

Hadi mauti yanamfika, Professa Othman alikuwa mwenyekiti na muanzilishi wa Kituo cha Huduma za Sheria Zanzibar ambacho kilianzishwa kwa ajili ya kutoa msaada wa kisheria kwa watu wenye kipato cha chini.

Mara baada ya kumaliza masomo yake ya juu nchini Urusi, Prof Haroub alirejea Zanzibar lakini hakupata ajira na kufanyiwa mipango na serikali kwenda kufanya kazi Bara.

Professa Othman alikuwa akifanya kazi katika kitivo cha sheria cha UDSM kuanzia miaka ya sabini na amefariki akiwa mhadhiri mwandamizi.

Mbali na elimu yake, Professa Othman alikuwa mstari wa mbele katika kupigania haki na ameshawahi kuteuliwa katika tume mbalimbali, ikiwemo ya kufanya marekebisho ya katiba na tume ya Nyalali.

Tume ya Nyalali ilikuwa ikiangalia mfumo unaofaa kisiasa nchini wakati dunia ikiwa kwenye mageuzi ya kisiasa na kiuchumi baada ya kumalizika kwa vita baridi kati ya mataifa ya mashariki na magharibi. Aliwahi kuwa mwenyekiti wa bodi ya iliyokuwa Shirika la Habari la Tanzania (Shihata) katika mwaka 1995.

Katika kipindi cha uchaguzi mkuu wa kwanza katika mfumo wa vyama vingi, Prof Othman alikuwa mwenyekiti wa taasisi ya wangaalizi wa ndani wa uchaguzi ambayo iliingia katika lawama kubwa baada ya kusema uchaguzi mkuu wa Zanzibar wa mwaka 1995 haukuwa huru na haki jambo ambalo lilimsababishia kuwekewa chuki na baadhi ya viongozi wa Zanzibar kutokana na msimamo huo.

Waangalizi waliokuwa chini ya Professa Othman walitoa taarifa ya kwamba uchaguzi mkuu wa mwaka 1995 haukuwa huru na haki tofauti na taarifa ya Tume ya Uchaguzi Zanzibar (ZEC).

Mwezi uliopita alihudhuria semina iliyowakutanisha waandishi wa habari waandamizi kuhusu jinsi ya kuhakikisha chaguzi zinazofuata zinakuwa huru na haki bila ya kutawaliwa na fujo pamoja na kutoa mafunzo ya sheria za kimataifa na haki za binaadamu kwa makamanda na wakuu vya vyuo vya mafunzo Zanzibar, ikiwa ni hatua moja ya kuwaelimisha juu ya masuala ya ukiukwaji wa haki za binaadamu.

"Nikiwa hai inshaallah nataka kushuhudia uchaguzi mkuu wa mwaka 2010 unafuata misingi yote ya demokrasia na haki za binadamu, zaidi kwa vyombo vya habari," alisema Prof Othman katika semina hiyo.

Akizungumzia kifo hicho, Mwanadiplomasia Dk. Salim Ahmed Salim na katibu mkuu wa CUF, Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad walieleza kupokea taarifa hizo kwa mshituko mkubwa na kwamba msomi huyo atakumbukwa kwa mengi, lakini wakasema kubwa zaidi ni utetezi wake kwa wanyonge na kupigania haki za binaadamu.

Naye Prof Abdallah Safari alisema amepokea kwa masikitiko makubwa taarifa za kifo cha msomi huyo na kuelezea kifo chake kuwa ni msiba mkubwa kwa wanataaluma na jamii kwa ujumla.

"Unajua pengo la Prof Haroub ni kubwa na si kirahisi kuzibika katika Chuo kikuu cha Dar es Salaam kwa sababu kifo cha mwanataaluma siku zote pengo lake huwa kubwa sana," alisema Profesa Safari.

Alimfananisha Prof Haroub na wanafalsafa wa zamani kama Walter Rodney, aliyeandika kitabu kinachoelezea jinsi Ulaya ilivyorudisha nyuma maendeleo ya kiuchumi ya Afrika, na kwamba dunia imempoteza mwanadiplomasia mkubwa.

"Kwa Tanzania ukitaka uchambuzi mzuri wa migogoro hususan ya Mashariki ya Kati, Afrika na nchi nyingine, basi bila ya kumpata Profesa Haroub ni vigumu kupata uchambuzi uliokamilika," alisema.

Alisema hii ni wiki ya misiba mikubwa kwa sababu Tanzania imempoteza Sheikh Suleiman Mohamed Gorogosi, aliyefariki kwa ajali ya gari na mwanamuziki nyota wa miondoko ya pop, Michael Jackson wa Marekani.

Alimkumbuka Prof Othman wakati alipofundisha katika miaka ya sabini akiwa UDSM na kuelezea kuwa walikuwa na uhusiano mzuri.

Prof Othman alikuwa mstari wa mbele kuikosoa SMZdhidi ya ukandamizaji na ukiukwaji wa haki za raia.

Prof Othman ameacha mjane ambaye ni Professa Saida Othman na mtoto mmoja, Tahir Othman.

TAMASHA la 12 la filamu la kimataifa la Zanzibar (ZIFF), 2009 limezinduliwa rasmi jana mjini hapa katika eneo la Mji Mkongwe, viwanja vya Ngome Kongwe kuhudhuriwa na umati mkubwa wa watu.

Burudani kutoka kwa mshairi Mrisho Mpoto 'Mjomba', Beni na Siti zilipamba uzinduzi wa tamasha hilo ambalo litaendelea hadi Julai 12.

Baada ya uzinduzi huo, filamu ya Izulu Lami (My Secret Sky) ya dakika 93 ilionyeshwa.

Kwa mujibu wa Mkurugenzu wa ZIFF, Profesa Muhando, Watanzania wameingiza filamu 13 katika tamasha hilo na mgeni wake rasmi anatazamiwa kuwa muigizaji maarufu wa Hollywood, Danny Glover.

Danny Glover anatarajiwa kwasili nchini Jumatatu tayari kwa ratiba ndefu ikiwa ni pamoja na mwaliko wa Shirika la Umoja wa Mataifa la Kuhudumia Watoto (Unicef) na kuwatembelea watoto walioathirika na ugonjwa wa ukimwi.

KAIMU Mufti wa Tanzania, Sheikh Suleiman Gorogosi amefariki dunia katika ajali ya gari iliyotokea kwenye Kijiji cha Mnolela Wilaya ya Lindi Vijijini baada ya tairi ya mbele ya gari alilokuwa akisafiria kutoka Mtwara kupasuka na kupinduka.

Habari zilizopatikana na kuthibitishwa na Kamanda wa Polisi wa Mkoa wa Lindi, Sifuel Shirima zinaeleza kuwa tukio hilo lilitokea jana saa 8:09 katika barabara ya Mtwara-Lindi wakati akitokea Uwanja wa Ndege Mtwara baada ya kushuka kwenye ndege akitoa jijini Dar es Salaam.

Kamanda Shirima alisema katika gari hilo kulikuwa na watu watatu, akiwamo Bakari Maguo, mfanyabiashara wa Lindi ambaye ni mmiliki wa gari hilo na aliyewahi kuwa Mwenyekiti wa CCM Lindi mjini, Bakari Fundi ambao wamejeruhiwa na kulazwa katika Hospitali ya Ligula mkoani Mtwara.

Gorogosi alikuwa amekwenda Lindi kufungisha ndoa ya mtoto wa Maguo ambaye ni mfanyakazi mstaafu wa Shirika la Taifa la Mfuko wa Hifadhi ya Jamii (NSSF), ambayo ilikuwa ifungwe leo.

Ndugu wa marehemu Abilahi Mohammed aliiambia Mwananchi Jumapili jana kuwa mazishi wa Gorogosi ambaye alikuwa Sheikh Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Lindi yatafanyika saa 10:00 jioni leo jioni mjini humo.

Pia Baraza la Waislam Tanzania (Bakwata), lilitoa taarifa jana jioni likieleza kuwa Gorogosi lilithibitisha kifo cha Gologosi na kueleza kuwa atazikwa leo.

Marehemu ameacha wake wawili. Kabla ya kifo chake alikuwa pia mjumbe wa baraza la Ulamaa la Bakwata.

Siku za hivi karibuni, Sheikh Gorogosi alikuwa akisumbuliwa na ugonjwa wa kisukari ambao ulimfanya kulazwa katika hospitali binafsi ya Fire jijini Dar es Salaam kwa wiki mbili, na juzi aliruhusiwa kurudi nyumbani kabla ya kwenda Lindi.

Mufti Sheikh Issa Bin Shaaban Simba alivunja baraza la maulamaa na kamati ya hija ya baraza hilo na kuviunda tena vyombo hivyo, huku akimkabidhi kukaimu nafasi yake Sheikh Gorogosi.

Mufti Simba, ambaye awali alikuwa Sheikh wa Bakwata Mkoa wa Shinyanga, alichaguliwa na Mkutano Mkuu wa Bakwata kushika wadhifa wa Umufti Oktoba 13, mwaka 2002, mkoani Dodoma katika uchaguzi ambao, masheikh tisa walijitokeza kuwania wadhifa huo. 



Masheikh hao, ni pamoja na marehemu Sheikh Gorogosi, Sheikh Suleiman Kilemile, Mbunge wa zamani wa Kibiti, Profesa Juma Mikidadi, Imamu Mkuu wa Msikiti wa Ma`amur, jijini Dar es Salaam, Sheikh Ahmed Twalib, Imamu Mkuu wa Msikiti wa Manyema, Kariakoo, Hamid Jongo.

Wengine, ni aliyekuwa Naibu Mufti, Sheikh Abubakar Zubeir, aliyekuwa Mjumbe wa Baraza la Ulamaa la Bakwata, Sheikh Ahmed Zubeir, Sheikh wa Bakwata Mkoa wa Kigoma, Tawfiq Malilo na aliyekuwa Msaidizi wa Mkurugenzi wa Idara ya Dini (Kitengo cha Usuluhishi) ya Bakwata, Sheikh Twaha Majaliwa.

Lakini vipimo vingine vikiwemo vya sumu vimechukuliwa ambapo uchunguzi wake unaweza kuchukua majuma kadhaa, ofisi ya mchunguzi wa vifo vya Los Angeles ilieleza.

Maafisa wamesharuhusu ndugu kuuchukua mwili wa Jackson, lakini bado hakujawa na taarifa zozote kuhusu mazishi yake.

Waombolezaji wakiwemo wasanii wenzake, viongozi wa mataifa mbali mbali na mashabiki wamekuwa wakitoa rambi rambi zao kwa mwanamuziki huyo.

Jackson aliyekufa akiwa na umri wa miaka 50, siku ya kifo chake alikimbizwa hospitalini huko Los Angeles, Marekani, baada ya kupata matatizo yanayodhaniwa kuwa ya moyo.

Taarifa za awali zilieleza kuwa mwanamuziki huyo alikuwa hapumui wakati madaktari wa huduma ya kwanza walipofika kumsaidia nyumbani kwake maeneo ya Bel Air yapata saa sita na nusu majira ya huko. Lakini mwishowe maafisa wakathibitisha kifo chake.

Utata mkubwa uligubika hali ya afya ya mwanamuziki huyo aliyewahi kutamba na albamu mbali mbali kama Thriller.

Michael Jackson, the child star turned King of Pop who set the world dancing but whose musical genius was overshadowed by a bizarre lifestyle and sex scandals, died on Thursday. He was 50.

Jackson was pronounced dead at about 2:26 p.m. PDT (2126 GMT) after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest, said Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner's office. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy would likely take place on Friday, he said.

Jackson's sudden death had been reported earlier by U.S. media, which said he was taken ill at his home and rushed to the hospital by paramedics who found him not breathing when they arrived.

Known as the "King of Pop," for hits that included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," Jackson's dramatic, one-gloved stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world.

He transformed music videos and his lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, made him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

But Jackson's belief that "I am Peter Pan in my heart", his preference for the company of children, his friendship with a chimp, his high-pitched voice and numerous plastic surgeries also earned him critics and the nickname "Wacko Jacko."

Jackson, who had lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, had been scheduled to launch a comeback tour from London next month.

Quincy Jones, who helped arrange the music on the album "Thriller" and produced the "Off the Wall" album, told MSNBC: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news."

"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."

SOLD-OUT SHOWS

Jackson had been due to start a series of concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months. The shows for the 50 London concerts sold out within minutes of going on sale in March.

"Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy in a statement.

"He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide acclaim."

There were concerns about Jackson's health in recent years but the promoters of the London shows, AEG Live, said in March that Jackson had passed a 4-1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors.

Outside the hospital in Los Angeles about 200 fans and reporters gathered on Thursday, waiting for confirmation of Jackson's death or condition.

Some fans were crying and hugging each other, and others were climbing atop fences to get a better look at a microphone stand where a news conference was supposed to take place.

"I hope he's gone to God, and I hope that he's free of all the troubles he's been plagued with," Tonya Blazer, 50, who said she had been a fan going back more than four decades to his days as a child star.

"I just feel like I'm paying tribute to him," said Dawn Burgess, 42, a fan who said she had posters of Michael pinned to her bedroom wall when she was a child.

CHILD STAR TO MEGASTAR

Jackson was born on Aug. 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children. Five Jackson boys -- Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael -- first performed together at a talent show when Michael was 6. They walked off with first prize and went on to become a best-selling band, The Jackson Five, and then The Jackson 5.

Jackson made his first solo album in 1972, and released "Thriller" in 1982, which became a smash hit that yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide.

The next year, he unveiled his signature "moonwalk" dance move while performing "Billie Jean" during an NBC special.

In 1994, Jackson married Elvis Presley's only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996. Jackson married Debbie Rowe the same year and had two children, before splitting in 1999. The couple never lived together.

Jackson has three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism.

New Yorkers and tourists in the city's Times Square were shocked at the news of Jackson's death.

"I don't know what to say. It's sad, it's really, really sad," said Nicole Smith, an 18-year-old student from Brooklyn, New York, in Times Square. "My mother was a fan. I listened to his music."

"I'm shocked. I thought someone was lying to me when I first heard it. I was a fan from when he was a little boy and then he got weird," said Sue Sheider, 51, a teacher from Long Island.

FANI ya muziki wa taarabu nchini imepata pigo kubwa baada ya kumpoteza mtunzi na mwimbaji mahiri, Nasma Khamis, maarufu 'Kidogo'.

Nasma, 57, ambaye anakumbukwa kwa baadhi ya nyimbo zikiwamo, Mtu Mzima Ovyo alifariki usiku wa kuamkia jana jijini Dar es Salaam.

"Hebu tueleze una kitu gani ee cha kututambiaa, ebu tuambie una kitu gani ee cha kuturingiaa, tema mate chini nyuma hujioni ee wanakukimbia, kaona mambo yako huku taarabu imo taarabu imo kaona mambo yapo huku wee! utaumiza roho yako....wadudu wadogo wadogo wananyevua nyevua," hayo ni baadhi ya maneno katika wimbo wa 'Mtu Mzima Ovyo' ulioimbwa naye Nasma.

Kulingana na ndugu zake, Nasma alifariki saa sita usiku kwenye Hospitali ya Temeke alikokuwa amelazwa kutokana na kusumbuliwa na malaria.

Baba mdogo wa marehemu, Hamis Mohamed 'Kaniki' aliiambia Mwananchi nyumbani kwake, Kinondoni Hananasif, Dar es Salaam ambako kumewekwa msiba huo kuwa Nasma alikuwa akisumbuliwa na shinikizo la damu mara kwa mara, lakini wiki iliyopita alilazimika kulazwa Temeke kutokana na hali yake kuwa mbaya na uchunguzi ulionyesha alikuwa na malaria.

" Siku nne zilizopita alilazwa Temeke lakini jana hali yake ilibadilika na saa sita usiku akafariki, Mungu ndiye anayetoa na yeye ndie anayechukua"alisema mzazi huyo.

Alisema Nasma ambaye ameacha watoto sita, wanne wa kike na wawili wa kiume atazikwa leo kwenye makaburi ya Kisutu.

Akizungumzia msiba huo, msanii mwingine mahiri ambaye alitajwa kuwa mpinzani wa Nasma, Hadija Kopa alisema, "Nimepata taarifa leo (jana), nasikia uchungu sana ni mwenzetu tulikuwa naye, Mungu amlaze mahali pema peponi." Alisema upinzani wake na Nasma ulikuwa ni wa kazi na si wa ubaya kama watu walivyodhani.

"Upinzani wetu ulikuwa ni wa kazi na si wa ubaya na kama ni ubaya kinapotokea kitu kama hiki lazima uweke tofauti pembeni ni kitu kikubwa cha kuhuzunisha, katangulia mbele za haki hatuna budi kumuombea Mungu amlaze mahali pema peponi.

Msanii huyo ambaye alikuwa akiishi Tabata Kinyerezi, Dar es Salaam atakumbukwa kutokana na nyimbo zake zenye vijembe walivyokuwa wakitupiana na mwenzake, Hadija Kopa na kuifanya fani ya taarabu kutamba miaka ya '90 kiasi cha kuitwa rusha roho.

Baadhi ya nyimbo ambaye zilimzolea sifa msanii huyo na hazitasahaulika masikioni mwa watu ni pamoja na ule wa 'Mwanamke Mazingira ', Subira Heri Mpenzi na Sanamu la Micheline.

Wakati wa uhai wake, Nasma aliimbia vikundi mbalimbali kama vile, Egyptian, Babloom, Tanzania One Theatre na Muungano Culrural Troupe. Mpaka mauti yanamkuta msanii huyo alikuwa akifanya shuguli zake binafsi.

• Wentworth Miller as Michael Scofield (Season 1–4): Michael is Lincoln's brother and worked as a structural engineer before devoting full-time to his brother's case. In order to save his brother's life, Michael creates an elaborate plan to help his brother escape from prison. In an interview, Paul Scheuring recalled that most of the actors who tested for the role "would come in playing mysterious, but it was so cheesy and false." A week before the start of production, Miller auditioned for the role and impressed Scheuring with his performance; he was cast the following day.
• Dominic Purcell as Lincoln Burrows (Season 1–4): Lincoln is a high school drop-out and a convicted felon, who is wrongfully accused of and charged with the murder of Terence Steadman, the brother of the Vice President of the United States. Purcell was cast three days before the start of production and consequently, he was the last actor to join the original cast. He auditioned for the role while he had a recurring role as Tommy Ravetto on North Shore. Since working on John Doe, Purcell has had an amiable relationship with Fox. Hence, he was sent the pilot script of Prison Break. Scheuring's first impression of Purcell did not convince him as a fit for the role since the actor went to the audition with his hair styled and a tan. However, Purcell's acting won the role. He arrived on the set on the first day of filming with a shaved head, which amazed Scheuring with the physical likeness of the series' two leading actors.
• Robin Tunney as Veronica Donovan (Season 1–2): Veronica is Michael and Lincoln's childhood friend and decides to review Lincoln's case at Michael's insistence. She becomes Lincoln's lawyer and appears as a major character in the first season.
• Marshall Allman as Lincoln "L. J." Burrows Jr. (Season 1–4): L. J. is the teenage son of Lincoln Burrows and is greatly affected by his father's death sentence. He is forced into hiding after he becomes the target of the people who want Lincoln dead.
• Amaury Nolasco as Fernando Sucre (Season 1–4): Sucre develops a friendship with Michael during time at Fox River State Penitentiary, where he was his cell-mate. He becomes Michael and Lincoln's ally, and provides comic relief to the show. His character's story focuses mainly on his wish to reunite with his girlfriend. Upon receiving the pilot script, Nolasco's first thought was that it was "one of those failed pilots that the network did not really want" since most of the series pilots would have started production by that time. Admitting that he does not like to read, Nolasco was amazed that the script was a "huge page-turner". Prior to his last audition for the role, Nolasco recalled his nervousness, which grew when Paul Scheuring told him that he was their favourite choice. Subsequently, he was cast in the role.
• Robert Knepper as Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell (Season 1–4): T-Bag appears in all four seasons of the series as a cunning, violent and manipulative psychopath, consistently underestimated by those around him. T-Bag will stop at nothing to get what he wants and lets nothing stand in his way.
• Peter Stormare as John Abruzzi (Season 1-2): Due to his role as the leader of a Chicago mafia, Abruzzi became a prominent figure at Fox River State Penitentiary. He agrees to provide an escape plane for Michael in exchange for the location of the eyewitness to his crimes, Otto Fibonacci. He appears regularly in the first half of the first season and makes selected appearances towards the end of the first season and the beginning of the second season.
• Rockmond Dunbar as Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin (Season 1–2, 4): Desperate for his family, C-Note blackmails Michael at Fox River to join his escape team. He appears in the series as a major character in the first and second seasons.
• Wade Williams as Brad Bellick (Season 1–4): Appearing in all four seasons, Bellick was introduced as the captain of Fox River's correctional officers. After reading the pilot script, Williams initially did not want to portray the role of Bellick because the character was "horrible and despicable". His reluctance stemmed from being the father of a four-year-old daughter. However, his manager persuaded him to audition for the role and Williams landed the role of Bellick.
• Sarah Wayne Callies as Sara Tancredi (Season 1–2, 4): Sara is the prison doctor at Fox River and the daughter of Governor Frank Tancredi, who is linked into the plot that brings Lincoln to Fox River. She takes a liking to Michael and eventually aids his escape. She ultimately joins them on the run. Callies was the first actress the producers saw at the audition for the role of Sara Tancredi and was also the first to become a principal cast member.^[30][32]
• Paul Adelstein as Paul Kellerman (Season 1–2, 4): Kellerman was introduced as a Secret Service agent working for the Vice President to make sure that the execution of Lincoln Burrows goes smoothly. Eventually, his character changes from that of a villain to an ally to Michael and Lincoln. He appears as a major character in the first and second seasons.
• William Fichtner as Alexander Mahone (Season 2–4): Introduced as an FBI agent in the second season, Mahone's assignment was to locate the fugitives. Mahone is intellectually matched with Michael and his background unfolds as the series progresses. In season 3 he finds himself incarcerated with Michael in Sona and is eventually forced to become his ally through season 4.
• Chris Vance as James Whistler (Season 3-4): Whistler is incarcerated in Sona for the murder of the Mayor's son and appears as a major character in the third season. He also stars in the first episode of Season 4.
• Robert Wisdom as Norman "Lechero" St. John (Season 3): Appearing as a major character in the third season, Lechero is a prisoner at Sona who rules the prison as a dictator and a Panamanian drug kingpin. And was killed by T-bag at the end of season 3
• Danay Garcia as Sofia Lugo (Season 3-4): Sofia was introduced in the third season as Whistler's girlfriend, at the beginning of season 4 it is revealed she has started to date Lincoln Burrows.
• Jodi Lyn O'Keefe as Gretchen Morgan (Season 3–4): Introduced as "Susan B. Anthony", Gretchen is an operative for the company who is in charge of ensuring the escape of James Whistler.
• Michael Rapaport as Donald Self (Season 4): Introduced in season 4, Self is a Department of Homeland Security special agent who teams up with the gang to take down The Company.