Editor’s Note: A longtime journalist, Margo Howard went into the family business (her mother was the fabled Ann Landers) in the 1990s as Dear Prudence. Her broad experience and understanding of human nature provide answers for the troubled — and entertainment for everyone else. Margo’s advice column, Dear Margo, appears twice a week — on Thursdays and Fridays — on wowOwow.com.

I am in Paris, with Liza Minnelli and Usher. Well, not with, but we’re all in Paris. How do I know this? They are all over CNN International because Michael Jackson died, they were among his good friends and Larry King said they were in Paris.

It seems that all of Michael Jackson’s friends are being interviewed. Quincy Jones, the CEO of Ebony magazine, Miko Brando, Deepak Chopra, Michael’s sister (I cannot tell which one … Janet maybe?). Oh, and Mark Geragos, the lawyer who won him an acquittal in the California child molestation case. Geragos, in answer to Larry King’s question of whether or not people should, for now, "put aside any unpleasant aspects" of Michael’s life," said, "Definitely. Now is a time for mourning and appreciation." And of course we have seen a statement released by Elizabeth Taylor saying that "her heart is broken."

I have a question: Why did not any of these friends step in and insist he get help?

I am not even talking about the pedophile business; I doubt that a loving friend, or even the Kiddie-Interest wing of the Betty Ford Clinic could solve that one. I am talking about his addictions. I knew he was on something (or some things) and I didn’t even know him! It just strikes me as odd that all kinds of celebrities (let us not even count the throngs all over the world keeping "a vigil") are dumbstruck and shocked, shocked, that Michael checked out in the prime of life. Maybe when you’re super-famous no one dares to bring up the elephant in the room … or in Jackson’s case, apparently, a small herd. My guess is that "his own personal physician," a cardiologist, no less, may have much to answer for. The drugs so far mentioned in relation to Jackson all, in excessive amounts, take a toll on one’s heart. The toxicology screen, when it comes back in several weeks, will answer many questions.

I do want to say one positive thing about Deepak Chopra. Going against Geragos’s wish to leave aside the "unsavory aspects" of Jackson’s life for now, Chopra did volunteer that he had spoken to Michael about the danger of hanging out with people who would get you drugs. He went on to blame the docs "who attach themselves to the entourage." He said that whenever he began this discussion Michael "would change the subject."

One headline said that "Show business killed Michael Jackson." I would probably disagree with that statement. What probably is indisputable is that Michael Jackson is, for the first time in a long time, finally resting in peace.