The late singer Michael Jackson will not be buried at the Neverland ranch after his family were denied permission.
Michael Jackson bought Neverland in 1987, and turned the ranch into a permanent memorial to childhood. Featuring a host of attractions, Jackson built a zoo near his home and began work on a massive fun fair.
Secluding himself away from the world, Michael Jackson’s unusual home gave rise to numerous rumours. Child abuse scandals haunted the singer, and after his acquittal in 2005 Michael Jackson left his Neverland home behind.
Selling a stake in the ranch, Michael Jackson moved to a smaller property in Los Angeles. The singer was preparing for his huge O2 Arena dates when he died following a heart attack in his new home.
Since then, speculation has been rife over where the singer would be buried. Many news sources claimed that he would be transported to Neverland, where a public memorial would be built in his honour.
However in a statement the Jackson family denied the reports, stating that they have been unable to secure the exemption needed to have the singer buried on the Santa Barbara property.
“Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland,” said the statement, according to People.com.
“Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly.”
CNN had previously reported that Michael Jackson’s body will have a public viewing on Friday (July 4th) at his Neverland ranch. However due to the ongoing legal difficulties it is not known of this will go ahead.
Meanwhile the mayor of Gary, Indiana – Michael Jackson’s home town – has lobbied for the singer to be buried there. A spokesperson for Rudy Clay revealed in a statement “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. We have not received confirmation on that.”
