The Los Angeles police completed a three-hour interview on Saturday night with the doctor who was with Michael Jackson when the pop star went into cardiac arrest, and a source close to the investigation said detectives found “no red flag” during the discussion.

A private pathologist, meanwhile, conducted a second autopsy on Jackson’s body hours after it was released to relatives by the Los Angeles County coroner.

Coroner’s officials had said Jackson had been using prescription drugs, and the investigation is focused on whether he overdosed. But after the LAPD completed its interview with Dr Conrad Murray, Jackson’s personal physician, the source said there was “no red flag” and “no smoking gun” revealed in the interview to suggest criminal wrongdoing.

Los Angeles police have said Murray is not suspected of wrongdoing and is cooperating with the investigation. The law firm that Murray has hired said in a statement that he was “considered to be a witness to the events surrounding Michael Jackson’s death”. The firm said Murray answered all questions posed by investigators and “clarified some inconsistencies”.

The coroner’s office, which completed its autopsy on Friday, said there was no evidence of foul play. The coroner has listed the cause of death as “deferred” until more tests are complete. Results could take up to six weeks.

Sources confirmed that Jackson’s family — eager for an independent opinion — had a second autopsy performed. Jackson, 50, was stricken Thursday at his rented home and died after suffering cardiac arrest.

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