Michael Jackson is Dead at 50

As of 3:20 p.m., we knew for sure: Michael Jackson, one of the most iconic pop stars in history, is dead.

Michael Jackson (Getty Images)

Jackson was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center from his Los Angeles home at 12:26 p.m. He was not breathing when paramedics arrived and got to the hospital in a deep coma.

The contributions that Jackson, 50, made to the world of music are almost too big to put into words. But all over the world, people are trying.

Here are our updates on this developing story:

2:26 -- In a breaking news alert, The Los Angeles Times just reported that troubled pop star Michael Jackson has been rushed to the hospital.

Jackson, 50, was not breathing when paramedics arrived at his home about 12:26 p.m.

Celebrity news site TMZ reports that Jackson suffered a heart attack and is posting a series of updates from Los Angeles, including a note that Michael's father says "he is not doing well."

Updates to come.

2:33 p.m. -- CNN is now also reporting on its home page that Jackson had a heart attack, sourcing affiliate KTLA. Here's the KTLA report.

2:38 p.m. -- The news is taking off on microblogging site Twitter, where many are stunned by the coincidence with Fawcett's death ...

guinnytastic: Dude, if Michael Jackson dies the same day as Farah Fawcett, I'm gonna lose it.

... and others are recalling the fervent fandom that followed him through the peak of his career in the 80s:

JessicaDHughes: omg if michael jackson dies i'll die.

2:56 p.m. -- As rumors swirl and the world waits to hear what's really going on, hits to Jackson's music videos on YouTube are skyrocketing -- as are the comments. Here's the official Michael Jackson YouTube channel.

3:06 -- The Los Angeles Times is now reporting that Jackson is in a coma and family are arriving at his bedside.

3:16 -- A little late to this game, The New York Times now has its own report about the pop star, but nothing, really, that we don't already know:

Early reports indicated cardiac arrest, but a hospital spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment. Mr. Jackson, 50, has been renting a mansion in the Bel Air neighborhood, a short distance from the hospital, and rehearsing for a series of 50 sold-out shows in London.

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