Michael Jackson's 'Son' David Rothenberg Dies: Inside ‘Emotional’ Memorial Service
Aug. 15 2018, Updated 11:46 a.m. ET
Late King of Pop Michael Jackson's beloved friend David Rothenberg aka "Dave Dave" secretly passed away on July 15 at age 42 at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. On Monday, the burn survivor's family and friends, including several members of the Jackson clan, gathered for a memorial service, and RadarOnline.com has the exclusive photos inside. Click through seven of Dave Dave’s final photos as his best friend Justin Hayward reveals shocking details about his final days.
Justin, who met Dave Dave at an art show nearly a decade ago, shared this photo on Instagram, along with the caption, “My amazing friend. It was great getting together to meet everyone today. Your memorial was beautiful your mother has given me many hugs."
“Dave lives his life full of love and was always positive and there to help you out when you were down. He was super excited about projects that we were working on right before his death. It was a total shock and so sad because he was alone and no one had any idea until after,” Justin said, adding that he died from heat exhaustion. "His burn condition made him super susceptible to heat.”
“He was a compassionate human being. Our friendship started with a hug and that is how he started every friendship. He got that from his father figure Michael Jackson. Michael taught him to love unconditionally, and he did,” Justin told RadarOnline.com.
David changed his name to Dave Dave after he survived a horrific accident. In 1983, Dave Dave’s father Charles doused him with kerosene and set him on fire, burning 90 percent of his body.
Jackson offered emotional support for the next 30 years. Dave Dave even spoke at MJ’s funeral, sharing their journey together. Michael was the closest thing Dave had to a father, Justin said: He took his death so hard."
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“He was a brother to me," said Justin, who goes by the name Lil Eric and has worked with stars including Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber. “He would spend hours talking to my mom. His memorial was very emotional but also very beautiful. I could feel Dave Dave’s energy there, as well as Michael Jackson’s."
“There is one thing that is certain,” added Justin. “And that is that Michael and Dave are finally reunited up above and are no longer in any pain.”
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