Michael Jackson’s estate has reached an agreement with the man accused of taking $1 million in valuables from the late singer’s house after his death in 2009.
Jeffré Phillips, who was previously engaged to Michael Jackson’s sister La Toya Jackson, was accused of robbing Michael Jackson’s deathbed pyjamas and other valuables from his $25 million estate in 2009.
According to TMZ, Jackson’s estate has struck a deal with Phillips, though the terms of the arrangement are not public.
Jackson’s estate had sought the assistance of a judge in order to reclaim artefacts belonging to Jackson that Phillips owned after learning that he was attempting to sell them.
Jackson’s estate claimed in legal documents filed in June 2022 that Phillips was seeking to sell goods he allegedly stole after living at the King of Pop’s Los Angeles residence for nine days following his death.
Phillips allegedly stole the singer’s and his children’s iPhones, his driver’s licence, prescription drugs, clothes, handwritten notes, and a bag containing personal and business documents while at the Carolwood House.
‘In an incredibly awful and callous act, Phillips stole Jackson’s pyjamas in the final hours of his life,’ the lawyers claimed.
‘And Phillips stole a resuscitation tube that appears to have been used on Jackson by those attempting to save his life in the brief and frantic period before his death.’
The claims against Phillips were filed the day before the 13th anniversary of Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009.
Jackson’s estate claims they were tipped off in December 2021 that Phillips was about to sell off items belonging to the late singer.
Phillips apparently revealed to the auctioneer that the things were removed in the days following Jackson’s murder while he was at the mansion in an attempt to vouch for their authenticity.
To verify the items, the auctioneer contacted the estate and informed them that he had a pair of sunglasses supposedly belonging to Jackson that Phillips claimed still had’makeup on it from his face.’
Jackson’s lawyers said they were able to recover some of the items Phillips allegedly stole, but that he was still in possession of home films and music written by the singer.
