LOS ANGELES (AP) — Katherine Jackson, the mother of Michael Jackson
and guardian of his three children, is safe and with a family member in
Arizona, authorities said late Sunday, one day after another relative
reported her missing.
Los
Angeles Sheriff's Deputy Mark Pope said investigators made contact with
Jackson, but he did not have specifics on her whereabouts. The agency
previously said they believed she was with a relative and safe, but
wanted to speak with her.
Katherine
Jackson is with her daughter Rebbie in Arizona, following a doctor's
orders to "de-stress" and stay away from the phone and computers, her
son Jermaine Jackson said in a statement late Sunday. He said access to his mother is not being blocked.
A member of the Jackson family
had reported the family matriarch missing on Saturday, prompting a
frantic plea from the late pop star's only daughter to help locate her
grandmother.
"I haven't spoken with her in a week I want her home now," 14-year-old Paris Jackson
tweeted, later providing a number for people to contact in case they
see her grandmother. Katherine Jackson has been caring for Paris, Prince Michael and Blanket Jackson since their father's death in June 2009.
It was unclear who is taking care of the children in her absence.
The incident demonstrated divisions in the Jackson family just days after five of the singer's siblings once again claimed that the King of Pop's will was a fake and that the executors of his lucrative estate should step down.
The undated letter, signed by Janet, Randy, Tito, Rebbie and Jermaine Jackson, claimed Katherine Jackson was being manipulated by the executors, John Branca and John McClain, her health had been affected, and she suffered a mini-stroke.
The estate has denied the accusations, which have swirled since Michael Jackson died from an overdose of a powerful anesthetic. Katherine Jackson obtained permission from a judge to investigate the will's validity, but never pursued the matter in court.
"It dismays me that such an alarmist 'missing person' report has caused unnecessary anxiety among Michael's children who will understandably react to what they misunderstand, hear or are told," Jermaine Jackson wrote.
The mystery of Katherine Jackson's whereabouts was compounded by a visit from her son's former physician, Dr. Allan Metzger,
who examined her July 14 after being brought to her Calabasas home by
someone close to the family, said her attorney, Sandy Ribera.
She
had been scheduled to depart on an RV trip to the Southwest to watch her
sons perform. The elder Jackson never made any of the shows and Metzger
apparently told her not to take the trip, Ribera said.Metzger is not Katherine Jackson's primary physician and her regular doctor wasn't aware the his house call until concerns about Katherine Jackson's whereabouts were raised, Ribera said.
A phone message left for Metzger at his Beverly Hills practice was not immediately returned Sunday.
Metzger treated Michael Jackson earlier in his career and met with the singer once in the months before he died. Defense attorneys for the physician convicted of killing the pop superstar called him as a witness to try to show the singer was attempting to obtain a powerful anesthetic for home use.
Despite being a defense
witness, Metzger aided prosecutors by telling jurors that he refused
Jackson's request and warned him of the risks.
Paris
Jackson referenced Metzger's visit in a tweet early Sunday, writing,
"the same doctor that testified on behalf of dr murray saying my father
was a drug addict (a lie) is caring for my grandmother... just saying."
Conrad Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for causing Jackson's death at age 50.
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AP Global Entertainment and Lifestyles Editor Nekesa Mumbi Moody in New York contributed to this report.
