Michael Jackson’s remains are at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles in a crypt owned by Motown founder Berry Gordy, an individual close to the family told TheWrap. The family is awaiting the return of the singer’s brain, which was removed from his remains to help in determining the cause of the singer’s death.
"This is very unusual," the family insider said. "You don’t need the entire brain but just samples of brain tissue."
He doubted that Jackson would ever be buried at his Neverland Ranch, which the singer abandoned following his 2005 successful trial against child molestation charges. The ranch and Jackson’s quarters were thoroughly searched in a major raid before Jackson was charged. "He never wanted to return to Neverland," the insider said.
There have been efforts to consider bringing Jackson’s remains to Neverland, which is not zoned for private burials, but nothing has materialized. Jackson and an investment banker, who saved the property from foreclosure, have a joint venture in the property and there are reports that Joe Jackson, the singer’s father, and his brother, Jermaine, wanted the King of Pop’s grave to be an attraction at a proposed themed amusement park on the 2,600-acre ranch. Jackson’s other siblings reportedly are against such an idea.
“I think they don’t want Michael’s body to be in the hands of outsiders,” the family insider said.