Hometown Memorial Puts Jackson Burial Focus on Gary

4 months ago 10th Jul 03:35

Fans of Michael Jackson are beginning to look towards Gary, Indiana for the location of the King of Pop's final resting place, following news the late star's hometown will honor him with a stadium memorial on Friday (10Jul09).

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay and city officials have announced plans to stage aspecial free tribute to their native son at the U.S. Steelyard Stadium.

And the lockdown on information about the event and city officials' refusal to return media requests for more details has led many to think Jackson's remains are going home.

The King of Pop's casket has been housed in a top secret location sincehis memorial in Los Angeles on Tuesday (07Jul09), when it was displayed for all to see at the Staples Center.

Reports suggest his family is awaiting the return of Jackson's brain, which was removed for tests during hisautopsy, before planning the singer's burial.

I believe that his body will lie in state in Gary, Indiana

The Jacksons filed for a Los Angeles County burial permit on Wednesday (08Jul09) - seemingly ruling out the possibility the pop superstar will be laid to rest at his former Santa Barbara County home, Neverland Ranch.

Gary Mayor Clay will join fans at the Indiana memorial on Friday.

His representatives are refusing to confirm or deny Jackson's remains will be at the tribute.

Clay has publicly asked the Jackson family to consider burying or cremating the pop star in his birthplace.

In the days following Jackson's death on 25 June (09), Mayor Clay said he expected Jackson's body would be taken to Gary for a memorial service at Steelyard Stadium.

He said, "I believe that his body will lie in state in Gary, Indiana". Clay's spokeswoman Lalola Burns, who has refused to return countless calls from Wenn, has said,

"The Mayor had spoken with a contact of the Jackson family and expressed our interest in having that to be a part of the history of this great family (sic)".

Jackson's father, Joe, returned to Gary in 2008 to discuss plans for a Jackson museum with the Mayor, and two of the late star's brothers visited Clay in May (09).