Michael Jackson closes Neverland Ranch house

Michael Jackson has closed the house on his Neverland Ranch and laid off some of the employees there, but has not completely shuttered the sprawling California estate.

“It is public knowledge that Mr Jackson currently resides in the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain. He therefore decided to close his house and reduce his work force. This is common when a residence is vacant for an extended period of time,” Jackson spokeswoman Raymone Bain said in a statement.