Tuesday fans are gathering to celebrate Michael Jackson's memory on the 10th anniversary of the King of Pop's death.
"Ten years ago today, the world lost a gifted artist and extraordinary humanitarian," the Jackson estate said in a statement to The Associated Press. "A decade later, Michael Jackson is still with us, his influence embedded in dance, fashion, art and music of the moment. He is more important than ever."
Complicating this are the allegations that have dogged Jackson, brought back to the forefront earlier this year when two men accused Jackson of molesting them as boys in the HBO documentary "Leaving Neverland". It sparked new scrutiny of years-old claims that Jackson preyed on children. Jackson was acquitted of abuse allegations in 2005 and always vehemently denied such allegations.
Fans still plan to gather at Jackson's last home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, where the singer received a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol on the afternoon of June 25, 2019 from his doctor. Jackson was declared dead at a hospital at age 50.
On that day, June 25th, 2009, Michele Tafoya and Jeff McKinney shared the shocking news of Jackson's death with the WCCO Radio audience, following the confirmation by TMZ. "If you were trying to explain the level of stardom he achieved in his heyday, it would be incredibly difficult," McKinney said. In an interview with Tafoya and McKinney, Hollywood Reporter Managing Editor Matt Belloni said "He is the biggest musical superstar that ever lived."