More than 1.2 million Michael Jackson fans have applied for free tickets to the King of Pop's memorial service, while more fans continue to mourn at his Neverland Ranch -- despite reports that the singer will be buried elsewhere.
The service, set for Tuesday, will be held at the Staples Center, a sports arena located in downtown Los Angeles.
About 17,500 free tickets were offered on the arena's website early Friday evening, and massive demand caused a server crash. They were only originally only available to U.S. citizens but the company in charge of the lottery changed that rule.
The winners of the tickets who will get two each -- will be notified on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Police Department is already setting up security measures for the memorial. According to local reports, 1,400 officers will be keeping a careful eye on the crowds.
Assistant Police Chief Earl Paysinger says they are expecting anywhere from a quarter-million to 700,000 people to flock to the arena.
City Councilwoman Jan Perry strongly urged Jackson fans to stay home and watch the memorial on TV. The Staples Center will not be showing the memorial on any outdoor screens.
Ann Shatilla, host of "The Hollywood Trend Report," told Â鶹´«Ã½ Channel that security for the memorial is estimated to cost debt-plagued Los Angeles about US$2.5 million.
Jackson's family has released few details about the service, except to say the singer's body will not be at the memorial.
Outside the city in Santa Barbara County, crowds continue to gather at Jackson's famous Neverland Ranch, some bringing chairs from home and even pitching tents. But according to the Los Angeles Times, the ranch is not conducting any events until after Tuesday's ceremony.
- CTV.ca will offer a live stream of Tuesday's memorial service from the Staples Center.
Meanwhile, police have yet to confirm reports that a potent anesthetic was found in the rented L.A. home where Jackson collapsed before his death.
An investigator, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said police had found Diprivan, also known as Propofol. It's a drug rarely found outside of hospital operating rooms.
Police are trying to determine if prescription painkillers had any role in the 50-year-old singer's death.
On Friday, the lawyer representing Jackson's private doctor issued a vague statement about the investigation.
Lawyer Edward Chernoff, who is representing Dr. Conrad Murray, said he would not directly comment on accusations of medical misconduct until investigators release their findings publicly, a spokesperson for the lawyer said.
Murray, who was inside Jackson's rented Los Angeles mansion when the singer fell unconscious on June 25, spoke to police last weekend.
Officials have described the doctor as a witness and not a suspect in the death, amid a flurry of rumours that Jackson had been prescribed powerful drugs like OxyContin and Demerol.
With files from The Associated Press
