Over 10 years since Michael Jackson died, his former bodyguard has claimed child molestation allegations levelled against the singer was a catalyst in the paranoid performers untimely death in 2009.
Matt Fiddes, who worked alongside Michael as a member of his security team for 10 years, shed light on the performers final days recently, claiming the Beat It singer was never the same after the 2005 Gavin Arvizo trial.
Gavin suffered from cancer when he was a child, and first met the superstar when he was 10 in hospital.
He ended up visiting Michael at Neverland, however in June 2003, he alleged Michael molested him. The singer was then charged with partaking in lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14.
In June 2005, Jackson was cleared of all charges.
Ahead of the release of counter-documentary Michael Jackson: Chasing The Truth, martial arts expert Matt continued to defend his former employer following fresh allegations made in documentary Leaving Neverland by James Safechuck and Wade Robson earlier this year.
Speaking of Michael, Matt said the singer was left a complete mess by allegations he was a paedophile, despite being found not guilty.
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Matt – who served as Michaels bodyguard from 1999 to 2009 – believes the damage had already been done despite the verdict.
It was clear after the verdict he was never going to be able to click his fingers and be back in Michael Jackson mode again, he told Daily Star Online.
He added: He was like a walking deadman by the end. Eating and sleeping was a battle, he was just a complete mess.
Adding he struggled following the trial, Matt said the singer lost so much weight with the allegations taking a big toll.
The Jackson estate has vehemently denied claims of molestation, however Matt said Michael became increasingly paranoid someone was out to get him and believed everyone had turned on him as he prepared to tour the UK in the lead-up to his death.
He was terrified about being assassinated on stage, and was making silly suggestions about wearing a bulletproof vest while performing, the bodyguard said.
We talked to him and said the public love you, you are going to have no problems, I am going to here for you with security and making sure you are looked after you.
Matt believed if Michael had reconnected with his father Joe before his death, the singer might still be alive today.
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