Michael Jackson News

Michael Jackson's family is closing in on where, exactly, the superstar will be resting in peace.

E! News has exclusively learned that the King of Pop's body is currently being held at the Hollywood Hills location of Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuaries, where it is expected to ultimately be interred.

While a source told E! News that, as of this morning, Jackson's body was "in the freezer" at the Forest Lawn mortuary, no official decision has yet been made on his burial. While the location is believed to be the most feasible for the family, the Jacksons are still weighing their options on potential sites.

Just yesterday, the Jackson family said no final decisions had been made on where or when a memorial would be held for the King of Pop, though the evidence at the time was mounting for at least one event to take place at Neverland Ranch. The family has since denied any such plans.

"Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland," the family said in a statement. "Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly."

A Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman has confirmed that the Jackson family met with LAPD and California Highway Patrol representatives Tuesday afternoon to discuss possible funeral scenarios.

The involvement of the LAPD would be needed to handle the inevitable crush of mourners at a public memorial, or to augment the CHP as Jackson's body is transported.

On Tuesday, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department told E! News the agency met with CHP officials to figure out what to do about any Neverland events.

Neighbors of the rural ranch are already fearing miles-long traffic jams in the quiet community in the hills above Santa Barbara. Fans have begun descending on the area, transforming the site into something of a Graceland West—an idea pushed by Thomas Barrack, the billionaire real estate man who helped Jackson save his beloved ranch from a potential bank sale.

The Jackson family itself was floating the idea of holding a public ceremony at L.A.'s Staples Center, per the Los Angeles Times, with a procession from there to Neverland Ranch for a private funeral for friends, family and music industry heavies.

However, Michael Roth, a spokesman for AEG, which owns the venue, told E! News this morning that the arena has not yet been booked for any Jackson-related event.

"Nothing is scheduled at Staples at this time," he said.

The family has not announced a timetable for any memorial, though sources have suggested it could occur Friday.

—Additional reporting by Aly Weisman

(Originally published on July 1, 2009, at 9:35 a.m. PT)

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