Over the years, Michael Jackson was a reliable punch line for standup comics, and the tabloid media exulted in letting its readers know how “Bad” the King of Pop really was. But despite all this negative attention, did anyone dislike “Wacko Jacko” enough to actually kill him?

Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the Jackson family, filed a wrongful death suit against Murray on the anniversary of his son’s death. The suit leaves open the possibility of adding other defendants, claiming Joe Jackson believes other parties were responsible but he hasn’t yet gathered enough proof. In interviews, Jackson has said he believes “foul play” was involved. He said his son was being driven hard by AEG, the producers of his concert series, and was severely overstressed by the grueling rehearsal schedule. AEG denies this.

Murray was contracted by AEG for $150,000 a month to care for Jackson during rehearsals and performances of the concert series.

In an interview with CNN for the special report, “Michael Jackson: His Final Days,” Jermaine Jackson described Dr. Murray as a “fall guy” who did not act alone. He said he knew who was responsible, but couldn’t say who it was. “They are just people in the industry,” Jermaine said. “When you become so big, you have enemies. This was done to him purposefully.” The star’s brother said their identities would eventually be revealed.

Two weeks after Jackson’s death, his sister, LaToya, told the Daily Mail newspaper in England that the doctor was part of a larger conspiracy to control or kill the singer for the revenue that could be generated from his collection of hit songs.

On the anniversary of his death, she repeated her suspicions to GMTV, a morning television show in Britain. “He was murdered for his catalogue,” LaToya said. “And they knew that, and they knew Michael was… worth so much more dead than alive. His children deserve the truth. I think his parents deserve the truth, his family and his fans.”

More than $400 million in debt before he died, Jackson’s estate saw a huge boost in revenue in the year following his death. Sales of his albums and song downloads skyrocketed. In 2009, 8.2 million Jackson albums were sold, by far outselling any other recording artist.  And Michael Jackson’s This Is It, a film about the singer’s final days, which included rehearsal footage for his upcoming concerts, grossed $260 million worldwide.

Were the Illuminati Involved?

Others say the conspiracy was perpetrated by a shadow organization called the Illuminati with no need for Jackson’s money. Believers in this nefarious group say it includes the world’s wealthiest and most powerful who are intent on creating a new world order in which they will act as puppet masters. According to this theory, they practiced mind control on Jackson but had to take him out when they lost the ability to manipulate him.

He was terminated, the theory goes, because his songs were filled with messages of love, inclusion and equality—ideas that threatened the Illuminati’s quest for world domination. The This Is It  concerts were going to be a musical protest against the Illuminati and a message to the world to resist the organization.

Leaving a restaurant in February, LaToya told camera crews, “They murdered my brother. And they know who they are. It’s not just Dr. Murray. I promise you that. It’s more people involved.” Many posters of comments on YouTube, responding to a video of this exchange, insist the “they” she refers to is the Illuminati.

On her blog, reality-television star Tila Tequila said Jackson’s brave stand against the Illuminati got him killed. “He had the heart and courage to speak out about it!!! As big as he was, most people in his position wouldn’t say a word! This just goes to show you that Michael Jackson truly was a genuine soul…. Now he’s Dead! COINCIDENCE????”