Melbourne, July 1 Michael Jackson inadvertently killed himself while trying to get sick enough to avoid tour commitments, according to a prominent author.

Jackson's contract with the firm handling the 50-show tour stated that if the singer cancelled any concert, he would have to pay a penalty to the promoters, according to The Daily Beast.

However, most contracts have a medical infirmity clause, whereby if a performer is hospitalised no penalty needs to be paid, reports News.com.au.

Author Gerald Posner says that a top member of the singer's entourage has told him that Jackson wanted to cancel several shows without having to pay out his touring company.

Jackson intentionally took a large amount of prescription drugs to induce a trip to hospital, according to the advisor,

The advisor reportedly said: "Like a child who doesn't want to go to school... Michael thought he could get away from his obligations if he had a 'note from the doctor'." (ANI)