Paris Jackson is recovering and getting help after a suicide attempt, according to a statement released by the Jackson family’s attorney.
“Being a sensitive 15-year-old is difficult no matter who you are. It is especially difficult when you lose the person closest to you. Paris is physically fine and is getting appropriate medical attention. Please respect her privacy and the family’s privacy,” attorney Perry R. Sanders Jr. said in the statement Wednesday.
Sources said Paris Jackson was rushed to a hospital early Wednesday morning after an apparent suicide attempt at the family’s Calabasas home.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department would say only that they responded to a “medical emergency” on the block where the Jackson family lives in Calabasas. The L.A. County Fire Department described the call as a “possible overdose” and said a patient was taken to a hospital.
One source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told The Times that the patient was Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris.
Jackson’s former wife and Paris’ mother, Debbie Rowe, also told “Entertainment Tonight” that Paris Jackson tried to commit suicide.
The night before the apparent attempt, Paris Jackson tweeted, “yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away now it looks as though they’re here to stay.”
The incident comes as Paris Jackson and her family and AEG are locked in a legal battle over the death of her father, Michael Jackson.
Paris Jackson is a possible witness in the civil trial. The pressure of testifying in the high-stakes legal showdown over her father death drove Paris to attempt suicide, sources close to the family told the Daily News.
“(Paris) has suffered with the loss of her father,” said attorney Michael Koskoff, who represents Katherine Jackson – Michael Jackson’s mother. “But we don’t know what she was exposed to that precipitated this.”
Mr Thomas Mesereau said any problems faced by Paris are “magnified a thousand times by the media attention that her family just repeatedly has”.
The lawyer said we never know what “lurks inside people. Michael was a very, very devoted father and very protective of his children. Everywhere they went they were followed, they were examined, they were dissected, they were criticised. And obviously this has caught up to her, and it’s really a tragedy. She’s a beautiful, brilliant, popular, kind-hearted, lovely young girl who clearly has some troubles that have to be addressed.”
La Toya Jackson told E! News: “We are grateful and appreciate the overwhelming concern for Paris from both the public and the media, but request privacy at this time while our family handles these issues together.”
In a statement Tito, Marlon, Jermaine and Jackie Jackson said: “Thank you for the outpouring of concern and support for Paris – she is safe and doing fine. We truly appreciate you respecting our family’s privacy at this time.”
Her brother Prince Michael Jackson, has canceled a scheduled television appearance, he was set to participate on the popular game show “Wetten, Dass…?” (Wanna Bet?) but upon learning of his sister’s hospitalization, opted out.
In light of the shocking news Demi Lovato has Tweeted her support: “Dear Paris Jackson, don’t let bullies to let you down,” the X Factor judge tweeted on Thursday, June 6. “We believe in you!! Stay strong, Please.”
Lovato, 20, is no stranger to depression and suicidal thoughts. In a new interview with Rolling Stone, the “Heart Attack” singer coincidentally opened up about confronting similar demons at the early age of 7, right around the time she had her first taste of the spotlight, starring in Barney & Friends.
“The principal called my parents and made me sign this suicide contract saying that I would not kill myself,” Lovato recalls to the mag. “They weren’t expecting that so young.”
Years and years of body insecurity and depression ultimately led to the former Disney star to seek treatment at a rehab facility in summer 2010, a decision largely supported by her mom and stepdad.
Last night Paris was placed under a 72-hour psychiatric order.
