LOS ANGELES – In an unbelievable and shocking confluence of events, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson both died Thursday. Farrah’s passing, while startling, was expected; Jackson, however, died suddenly after suffering a heart attack in his home and going into cardiac arrest.

The pop idol, who was 50 and did not seem to be at imminent risk, was reportedy unresponsive when paramedics reached him at about 12 noon local time, and was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center shortly after arrival.

Fawcett, who was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006, died at 9:28 am, at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica. Ryan O’Neal, her partner since 1982, and friend Alana Stewart, were at her side.