by Don Lemon, Susan Roesgen , CNN

Retired Army Colonel Pat Lang explains more about the latest U.S. military strategy in Afghanistan. Former NFL quarterback, Steve McNair, has been killed in a shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, along with his girlfriend. Another show of defiance from North Korea today as it fired seven short-range missiles over the Sea of Japan during a nine-hour period. The Associated Press reports that the powerful drug diprivan was found in Jackson's home after his death.

We start tonight with breaking news. We have just confirmed that former NFL quarterback Steve McNair is dead. McNair's body was found in Nashville, Tennessee, where police are investigating a crime scene.

Police say two bodies were found shot to death at this apartment complex. One of them has been identified as McNair's. Now, the other body has not been identified.

McNair played 13 seasons for the Houston Oilers, the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens. He was the American Football Conference co- player of the year back in 2000.

And we'll be following this story all evening for you. We're expecting a news conference at any minute now to update us on the situation there.

But meantime joining me now is Dennis Edwards. Dennis is CNN's sports editorial director. Dennis, fill us in now on McNair, who he might be for people in our audience, Dennis, who might not know him.

DENNIS EDWARDS, SPORTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, CNN (via telephone): Obviously, Don, this is stunning and very sad news. I mean this was a guy who came from a small town in Mississippi and basically lived the American dream.

He had desires of becoming a big-time quarterback and, you know, had a difficult time getting big schools and colleges to sign him on as a quarterback. They all wanted him to play defense.

So he spurned them and went Alcorn State where he became one of the most prolific passers in college football . He finished third in Heisman trophy race his senior year.

And then was drafted third overall by the then Houston Oilers, who later became the Tennessee Titans. A few seasons into his tenure there he took them to the franchise's first Super Bowl.

And, if you recall, it was a very exciting game that ended in the last seconds with an outstretched Kevin Dyson coming up just a few feet short of a touchdown and potentially winning their first Super Bowl. He'd never really get back to the Super Bowl, but, as you mentioned, had many awards and played for 13 seasons, and, you know, finished up his career with over 30,000 yards passing, which was good enough for 28th on the all-time list. So an incredible passer.

LEMON: And Dennis, do we know anything about his personal life? Has he ever been in trouble before or is he in the headlines a lot for his behavior, or was he a quiet player?

EDWARDS: He was only in the headline once a couple years ago. He was charged as enabling a DUI. He was a passenger in a car that he owned, and someone else was driving the car who was drunk at the time. Those charges were eventually dropped.

So, beyond that, you know, absolutely clean slate and, you know, just really this whole thing is just coming out of nowhere and just a shocking surprise.

LEMON: He's the second black football player, quarterback to go to the Super Bowl, correct?

EDWARDS: That is correct.

LEMON: OK. Dennis Edwards, CNN Sports Editorial Director. Stand by, Dennis. We're going to have continuing breaking news coverage on the death of NFL quarterback Steve McNair. His body was found in Nashville, Tennessee, where police are investigating a crime scene.

Local reports are also there, and they say that two bodies were found at this apartment complex, not exactly sure who the second body is. One body has been confirmed to be Steve McNair. Details as they become available here on CNN.

Meantime, we have some other breaks news to tell you about out of South Carolina, where a drought is under way for a suspected, a dragnet, I should say, for suspected serial killer whom police say killed at least five people in the past week, including a 15-year-old girl.

CNN's Richard Lui joins us from Gaffney, South Carolina, the center of this manhunt.

Is this being called a serial killer now, Richard, or is it a spree killer?

RICHARD LUI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you. Good afternoon to you, actually, Don.

As we talk about this, we have just learned of what they are calling, they are terming a serial killer by FBI definition. That is what the sheriff says here in Cherokee county.

We now, two hours ago, learning that homicide victim number five, a 15-year-old, Abby Tyler, confirmed dead this morning at 11:25 a.m. local. She was fighting since Thursday when she was initially shot along with her father at the family business, her father dying at that moment.

Now that makes five homicides over three shooting incidents in six days. And that has got the town here on edge, Don. We went out to speak to some of the residents this afternoon.

And first there is one firework stand seller saying he is ready, I'm ready to take on this suspect. He showed us a .9 millimeter as he was working the fireworks stand very clearly.

And on the flipside, there was one father who said he was scared. In fact, his four-year-old son came to him last night and said, dad, come to sleep right now. I'm worried if you stay up you're going to get hurt and that night his four-year-old son slept in the same bed with both that father and his mother.

So, you have a mix of both folks in a small town of 13,000 that are ready and very resilient, and then there are those that are much more scared.

What you will notice, though, as you drive through the town as we did today, there are hundreds of vehicles out here, many of which are law enforcement vehicles.

And so, we asked the police chief today, what is the reaction of the residents to so much law enforcement? This is what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF RICK TURNER, GAFFNEY POLICE DEPARTMENT: That is something I would like to sincerely thank those businesses, those citizens that have come up in support of us by either sending supplies or just notes.

And just knowing we have their prayers on our side. We have many comments that they are doing that for us, for our families, for the families of the victims. That is something we are sincerely thankful of.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LUI: So, Don, an atypical emotional moment in recent press conferences from these local law enforcement officials.

And just to give you an example -- as we were driving down the roads to the various crime scenes, we saw some five law enforcement cars in five minutes. We in fact were pulled over twice -- Don?

LEMON: Richard, tell us -- we understand that they have been updating the sketch on the suspect. Do you have any developments in that, why they keep updating, and is it changing?

LUI: Yes, Don, you're right. They have. They updated that picture yesterday evening. They are now saying in this new picture that they have on this new flier, $2,000 reward, that they believe the person to be 6'2" and 250 pounds, a white male with salt and pepper hair, a beard that is about three to four days old at the time of one of the incidents, and that he's driving a two-door Ford explorer that is either gray or champagne in color, faded they do believe.

And in fact, we were at one of the checkpoints, Don. And the highway patrol physically stopping two door Ford explorers. We saw that happen twice.

And that is the latest information in terms of the suspect. They have received more information since then. We will let you know if we get an updated sketch.

LEMON: CNN's Richard Lui in Gaffney, South Carolina with the very latest on the search for a serial killer. Thank you, Richard.

A tragic start to the July Fourth holiday today in North Carolina in the outer banks there. A truck carrying fireworks for tonight's celebration on Ocracoke Island blew up while it was being unloaded at the deck. The explosion killed one person and injured four others.

Ferry service was temporarily shut down but has since resumed.

We'll talk politics now and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. She has made a career out of defying the conventional wisdom, and now she is at it again.

Her stunning announcement that she will resign by the end of the month has everybody talking, but no one seems to be sure why she is quitting, or what she's going to do next.

Here now is our senior political correspondent Candy Crowley.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: The governor of Alaska flummoxed the political world from her backyard in Wasilla, going out Palin-style.

GOV. SARAH PALIN, (R-AK) FORMER VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Only dead fish go with the flow.

CROWLEY: She's quitting her job. What's that about? Pretty much a dealer's choice.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sounds like perhaps trying to keep options open for 2012.

CROWLEY: Free of her job, Palin could bulk up her coffers with speaking fees and a book deal and roam freely in the lower 48, making friend and meeting people with influence in the political system.

Or she could be doing a 180. A source close to the family thinks Palin's done with politics and wants to be with her kids, a hint of that when the governor mentioned her youngest son, Trig, who has Down syndrome.

I know he needs me, but I know that I need him even more. And what a child can offer to set priorities right, know that time is precious. CROWLEY: It was a curious, unreadable event, a holiday weekend press conference called so hastily, most reporters couldn't get there in time.

PALIN: I just want to say hi to Alaska.

CROWLEY: Palin was expected to say she wouldn't run for a second term. But to walk away with a year and a half left in your first is something else altogether, though it's unclear what.

TONY BLANKLY, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Since she's made this announcement, Washington politicians are both parties have gone nuts. It suggests to me she's probably done something pretty smart.

CROWLEY: Or not.

ED ROLLINS, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: I think this is a stupid, stupid move. It's going to cause speculation that she got chased out for some reason.

CROWLEY: The governor offered multiple reasons for her abrupt departure, first that she was the victim of, quote, "superficial, wasteful political blood sport distracting from state business and spawning costly ethics investigations."

PALIN: You are naive if you don't see a full-court press from the national level picking away right now.

CROWLEY: And then said she doesn't want to be like all of those other lame duck governors.

PALIN: They hit the road, draw a paycheck, they kind of milk it.

CROWLEY (on camera): Despite the reasons she offered and the multiple theories thrown into the swirl, at the end of the day, it still seems like a piece of the puzzle was missing.

Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: All right, now from Candy. Let's talk about governor Palin's decision on someone who keeps an eye on both Washington and Alaska. Erika Bolstad is a Washington correspondent for the "Anchorage Daily News." Thank you for joining us here on CNN.

Have there been any rumblings that Sarah Palin was stepping down, or did this come as a complete surprise to everyone, including people in Alaska?

ERIKA BOLSTAD, "ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS": I think this was a huge surprise to everyone, and everyone in Alaska. There are people who met with her in recent days, including one of the senators from the state, Mark Begich, who met with her and talked with her at length about issues, and had no clue that this was coming. LEMON: OK, what do you think is behind this? Is it personal, or is she aiming for a run in 2012? Can anyone really answer that question right now, Erika?

BOLSTAD: That seems to be the favorite game in Washington this holiday weekend is trying to figure that out. You can take her at face value and listen to exactly what it is that she said, which is that she has got some family issues and some other stresses that seem to be driving her decision.

Or you could look at the whole idea of 2012. And if this is about 2012, a lot of the folks that I spoke to yesterday and today said, you know, this is the silliest thing that she could have possibly done.

LEMON: Yes, that's kind of my next question to you, because some people are saying that this is not a smart political move to give up your office before the term is up.

BOLSTAD: Right. I mean, some of the folks I spoke to said that, you know, if you want to hire office, you have to first prove yourself in the office that you're currently in. You have to do a good job at that.

And there's also the idea that -- this came from the other Alaska senator, which is that there is a sense of disappointment that she abandoned her post, that she abandoned the people of Alaska by giving up the seat that she was elected to only two and a half years ago.

LEMON: Do you think PAC funding there could have had anything to do with this, because those numbers come out at the end of the month?

BOLSTAD: There are so many different things that, that you could, you could hook this on.

And, yes, it will be great to see those numbers and see really if she was able to raise a lot of money, and if that is one of the things that is driving her decision.

LEMON: All right, Erika Balstead from the "Anchorage Daily News." Thank you so much. She's in the Washington bureau. If you get any more information, please let us know, because everyone is wondering, why, why, why, Erika. We appreciate it.

The investigation into the death of the king of pop, Michael Jackson, right here on CNN.

Plus, no holiday for U.S. troops in Iraq or Afghanistan. We'll visit them.

Also, time for you to weigh in on our show and become part of our team here. Logon to twitter, Facebook, Myspace.com, or iReport.com. We're get your comments on the air.

We're back live from Los Angeles moments away.

LEMON: Here in Los Angeles, intensive preparations are underway for Tuesday's memorial service for Michael Jackson. As of this morning, more than a million people have registered for a chance to get a pair of tickets to that service. But they face really long odds -- 8,750 people will be randomly selected to receive the tickets later today.

Also, CNN has just confirmed that singer Jennifer Hudson will be among the performers at Tuesday's service.

Meantime, there is still no word on where Jackson will be buried. His body will not, not be brought to Staples Center for Tuesday's service, and there will be no funeral procession.

Our Drew Griffin has an update on the investigation into what killed singer Michael Jackson, including the report that a powerful drug has been found inside of his home.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What we do know is that Michael Jackson asked for diprivan, by name, just months ago, telling this nurse in April diprivan was the only drug that could help him sleep.

LEE: That was odd.

GRIFFIN: Don't you think it's odd he's asking for the super strong medicine without asking for a regular, old sleeping pill?

CHERILYN LEE, NURSE WHO SAYS SHE TREATED JACKSON: Yes. And I said, "Have you taken sleeping pills." And he said they don't work. He said, "I don't want those things. They don't work. I want it in an IV. I don't want pills. I don't want any pills."

GRIFFIN: Nurse practitioner Cherilyn Lee said Jackson described how diprivan is administered, and IV drip, instant sleep.

We also know from several sources Jackson traveled with a doctor in the mid-'90s who carried what is described as a mini-clinic complete with IV stents. And we know from Jackson's own friends that sleep problems, past surgeries, and injuries left him at times dependent on prescription drugs.

While officially investigators have mentioned no drug or drugs, the direction of the investigation has this week pointed towards drugs Michael Jackson may have been taking.

On Monday detectives returned to Jackson's rented home and left with what we are told were medications. The federal DEA and California's attorney general office announced he, too, was involved trying to find out who may have administered these medications.

Drew griffin, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: All right, Drew Griffin joins us now with the latest on this investigation.

Drew, we heard from Cherilyn Lee about what she claims that Michael Jackson asked her about. And we're hearing from the Associated Press and from the "L.A. Times" about that powerful drug diprivan. What are police saying tonight?

GRIFFIN: Police aren't saying anything officially. There is a leak somewhere in this case telling the "L.A. Times" today, in fact, on its Web site, Don, that not just diprivan, but bottles of diprivan both empty and full were found in that mansion. CNN has not been able to corroborate that.

And the other thing I think we need to keep in mind here, this is still a death investigation, not a crime, as far as we know. And from our sources, the reason the DEA and the attorney general's office here in California have been brought in is to determine, really, if any of the supply of drugs in that home is a crime in and of itself.

In other words, were these prescriptions proper? Were these drugs there properly to be administered to a guy who had a lot of medical attention through the years? All of this hinging on the fact of what actually did cause Michael Jackson's death and was it drug-related.

Those are questions we're all waiting for as the police continue to at least outwardly tell us this is still death investigation, not criminal.

LEMON: And, Drew, I would imagine that, you know, since it has to do with medical records and HIPA, information is really hard to come by, because you're talking about private medical documents.

GRIFFIN: Well, and you're also talking about a couple of guys at the homicide and a couple of guys at the coroner's office supposedly that know everything. This is under a security lockdown, and they're trying to keep a lid on it.

The other problem, though, is you have this second autopsy by the Jackson family. That information should and has been somewhat leaking out as they move along.

So, I think at the end of the day, we're just going to have to wait and see officially what the coroner decides, was this death related to the drugs, was that an accidental overdose, or was there, indeed, a crime committed here by somebody who may have given those drugs to Michael Jackson.

LEMON: CNN special investigations unit correspondent Drew Griffin. Drew, thank you very much for that.

A lot of rumors when it comes to this case about Tuesday's service and the incredible amount of work that the L.A. police are putting into crowd control, security, everything else required for an event that is going to be this large.

My next guest says he believes it is going to be one of the largest the world has ever seen. He is Assistant Police Chief Jim McDonnell. He joins us tonight from Los Angeles, as well. Thank you, sir, for joining us tonight.

I know that you're here to talk about Tuesday's service, but is there anything as far as the investigation -- you've heard what Drew had to say. The LAPD is being pretty tight-lipped about this case. What is the reason for that?

JIM MCDONNELL, ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF, LAPD: Well, it's an ongoing investigation, and it's our practice not to comment on an investigation until it concludes. It's a complex one. We have good people working on it, the experts are working. And when it's completed, we will be able to share hopefully more with you at that time.

But at this time, it's ongoing and it would not be appropriate to talk about it.

LEMON: What about how you are classifying this? Is it still a death investigation? Do we know if it at some point could it change to a different type of investigation here?

MCDONNELL: I mean, it's a death investigation at this point. Could it change? I think anything could always happen. But we're dealing with it in a manner that we see to be appropriate, comprehensive, and it will work its way through to completion.

LEMON: And chief, I spoke to you about this yesterday, about there is some criticism about the LAPD not securing the crime scene properly. Do you feel that you secured that crime scene properly enough to get all the evidence that you need to investigate this case?

MCDONNELL: As I mention, we have good people out there, and those people who go to the scene make the determination. As always, people will criticize from a distance and feel it should have been done different.

I think they make the call at the time based on the information they have, and as the investigation concludes we'll be able to determine better. Maybe things could have been done differently, maybe they were done absolutely on target.

So, that's something that remains to be seen. But we're comfortable moving ahead with the investigation.

LEMON: All right, chief, let's talk about Tuesday. It is a huge undertaking, and I believe you said you believe this is going to be one of the biggest events in the world.

MCDONNELL: Well, you know, as far as the type of event, I think, when you look at some of the other major notables, if you will, in the world, you look at Elvis when he died, the crowd there was about 75,000. I understand that at Princess Diana's the crowds lining the street and the crowd estimate there about 250,000.

The estimates here is still, I think, speculation. We're asking very, very sincerely that people who don't have a ticket do not come out to the event. We will have the area surrounding Staples secured and, you know, from a couple blocks to the north, the southeast and the west.

If you don't have a ticket, you won't be coming inside the area directly around the venue.

So, for those who decide they want to come out and be part of this whole thing, they'll be standing on the city street in the hot sun, and with probably a lot of other people.

But our goal is to keep it peaceful, to keep it orderly, to keep it respectful, and as best we can to try and keep traffic moving and allow people to conduct traffic in Los Angeles on Tuesday as normally as possible.

LEMON: Chief, we're hearing that Jennifer Hudson is going to perform on Tuesday. Are you hearing anything about any other stars or people who may be attending that we didn't get in an update since the last update you are on CNN?

MCDONNELL: Yes, I'll leave that to AEG, the people who are putting it on. They're working with the family on putting together what you'll see live on Tuesday.

What I'll talk about is the public safety plans. We've worked very hard on this. There's been talk about how much money is being spent on it.

I think a bigger challenge, you know, than the planning that goes into something of this magnitude is explaining to the public why sufficient planning didn't go into it at the end if things did not turn out as well as they will.

LEMON: Yes. And chief, I want to thank you, because I know that you are very busy. It is a Fourth of July holiday here and you have this big event coming up on Tuesday. And the chief offered to come in and talk to us about the events on Tuesday.

And since I had Drew Griffin there about the investigation, I threw you a couple questions on that. So I appreciate you answering them. Thank you.

MCDONNELL: My pleasure.

LEMON: And make sure you tune in -- all right, thank you very much. Make sure you tune in for CNN presents special on the life and music of Michael Jackson. "Man in the Mirror" airs tonight 8:00 p.m. eastern only here on CNN.

No holiday for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and no better way to show the significance of the Fourth of July.

LEMON: Troops in Iraq are not letting the holiday pass without making the best of it even though they are far from home.

Well, someone in that thick, yellow haze, the all-American pastime of softball was the order of the day at Camp Hammer. And despite the stifling heat and heavy sandstorms, both sides played hard, and they played to win.

Also marking the Fourth in Iraq, Vice President Joe Biden. Among his official duties today was presiding over the naturalization ceremony for 237 service members, swearing them in as American citizens.

JOE BIDEN, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: On this fourth of July, I'm reminded that you're carrying the torch of our, our founding fathers for 233 years ago. And, yes, as of today, they're your founding fathers. Get used to it, guys. They're your founding fathers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: We know, adding to the symbolism, the ceremony was held in one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces.

In Afghanistan, fierce gun battles today in the eastern province of Paktika that claimed the lives of two U.S. service members. Military officials say at least 42 Taliban fighters were killed as they launched two separate attacks on American posts.

And to the south, thousands of U.S. marines this week moved into to the southern province of Helmand, one of the largest military operations in the region to date.

Helmand is more than a Taliban stronghold. It was once the breadbasket of Afghanistan, with bumper crops of wheat and corn. Well, today, those grains have been largely replaced by opium poppies, the raw material for heroin, morphine, and other narcotics.

90 percent of the worlds' opium comes from Afghanistan, and Helmand is the center of opium production in Afghanistan. Helmand is such fertile ground that it accounts for two-thirds of all the opium grown in Afghanistan. It provides the Taliban with millions in income.

Farmers are often paid in advance to plant the poppies in the fall. They don't even have to harvest it in May. Other people come in to the fields to collect the raw opium.

Retired Army Colonel Pat Lang joins us now from Washington to explain more about the latest U.S. military strategy in Afghanistan.

Thank you, sir, we appreciate you coming in on this holiday weekend. Why Helmand Province? What does the U.S. hope to accomplish there?

PAT LANG, COLONEL, RETIRED U.S. Army: That part of Afghanistan has been pretty much a redoubt for various Taliban groups now for a long time. And with the increase in troops that President Obama has allowed to command Afghanistan to have, it's natural to expand operation there's where the British have been trying to deal with that for a couple years with insufficient numbers.

Really, the strategy that President Obama has announced is that we're going to disrupt and disorganize the groups of our enemies and seek to prevent significant terrorist threats to the United States or emerging Afghanistan. It's a natural thing to move into that province. There's a lot of money there, as you just pointed out and a lot of agriculture. And you expect to see the Marines back in there a lot. The same thing over at eastern Afghanistan with the Army.

LEMON: I have to ask you this Colonel, because we talked about all the money they make from opium and on the poppy fields there and narcotics. We're told the troops are not there to destroy the poppy fields. Why not?

LANG: I don't know. It's a policy with regard to -- to -- the government's taking up that you have to find some way to substitute crops and income for these farmers to keep them from supporting the various Taliban groups. I've seen one suggestion made that I think it's probably a good idea, that if we can't substitute food crops for what's going on there, we are going to buy it at the gate and take it out and burn it and dump it in the ocean or something ourselves. We to keep putting money in the pockets of these farmers and so something of that kind has to be done.

LEMON: OK, well, the current opium crop has already been harvested. How can the U.S. persuade farmers not to plant poppies next fall? Is it possible?

LANG: Yes, I think it's -- persuade them not to plant them?

LEMON: Yes.

LANG: Unless we can come up with a cash crop that will produce a better income for them than opium does. If we can't to that, we'll have to do something like buy it from them ourselves.

But the Taliban groups, who are a mixture of tribal groups, bandits, some vaguely Islamic organizations and some related directly to al Qaeda, they are all looking to live off these farmers. and the farmers there are the main target for our operation and the enemy, as well.

LEMON: Thank you very much. Retired Army Colonel Pat Lang, joining us from Washington, D.C., to talk about what's going on in Afghanistan.

We appreciate it, sir. Have a great holiday weekend.

LANG: Sure. You too.

LEMON: New information about the death of former Super Bowl quarterback, Steve McNair, moments away right here on CNN.

LEMON: We want to get back to our breaking news on CNN. We have confirmed that former NFL quarterback, Steve McNair, has been killed in a shooting in Nashville, Tennessee. This apartment complex is the crime scene.

And we heard from police just moments ago. Here's what they said. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DON AARON, METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT: At 1:35 this afternoon, the police department received a call of persons injured inside one of the condominiums behind me. When police officers arrive in response to that call they found two individuals who had been shot to death inside the residence, one female, one male. We now know that the male deceased is Steve McNair and the female deceased has been tentatively identified. We're working to confirm that and then notify her next of kin.

At this point, we don't know the circumstances of these shooting deaths. The investigation is going to be conducted by the police department's centralized homicide unit. Those detectives have assembled here at the scene and the condominium still has to be processed. There's a lot of work yet to be done and it will take many hours to process the scene. I don't have any answers for you now as to what's happened, who's responsible, what the circumstances are.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: CNN is reaching out to our sources in the area and around the country to get more information on that.

And none better to talk to now is CNN law enforcement analyst, Mike Brooks. He has been working his sources. He has new information for us.

What do you have, Mike?

Mike Brooks, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Don, I am talking to a source close to the investigation that said the body was found right around 1:30. We heard from the spokesman 1:35 p.m. But they believe this happened probably late last night, early this morning.

Now, apparently, the bodies were found by one of Steve McNair's former body guards, who had not been able to reach him. And when they came in, they found Steve McNair was shot in the head. And it was his girlfriend who was there with him. And, in fact, it was the girlfriend's condo in downtown Nashville where both the bodies were found.

They can't put an exact time frame on it. We don't know if it was murder/suicide or just a homicide, we don't know. They're still investigating that right now. They're there on the scene still working the crime scene. So, as we get information in, we'll definitely let you know.

LEMON: Don't know if it was burglary or robbery or what the circumstances were.

BROOKS: No.

LEMON: I bet our Mike Brooks will be on top of it.

Mike, stand by. Give us some information as soon as you get it. BROOKS: Absolutely, Don. I'll talk to you soon.

LEMON: Mike Brooks is our CNN law enforcement analyst on CNN.

Let's talk now of news overseas. Another show of defiance from North Korea today. It fired seven short-range missiles over the Sea of Japan during a nine-hour period in defiance of United Nations resolutions. The White House had no comment on it. Observers said it appeared to be a direct slap at the United States timed to coincide with Independence Day. Last month, the Japanese a newspaper reported that North Korea might try to fire a missile at Hawaii, but the missiles fired today were believed to have a range of only 300 miles.

Jim Walsh is an international security analyst and he joins me now from Newton, Massachusetts, on this Independence Day.

Thank you for joining us, sir. Is there an imminent danger where North Korea is concerned here?

JIM WALSH, INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: By imminent danger, Don, if you mean will we have a war tomorrow, next week, next month? I don't think so. The only way that happens is if the parties involved miscalculate or some crisis grows out of control. As a deliberate act, I don't expect to attack South Korea and Japan, South Korea, or the U.S. And I don't expert we will attack them. This has more to do with internal politics within North Korea and succession than it does with actually a military confrontation.

LEMON: Well, Jim, you know, so many people in this country consider North Korea a huge threat. Do you think that they are as big a threat presently as we picture them to be?

WALSH: No, I really think in some ways the threat North Korea poses is the threat of weakness. All right, their economy isn't doing well. And they're not very well developed. They're surrounded by countries that they see as their adversaries and they're not in a very good strategic situation. And they are in no position to go attack South Korea, whose economy is multiples of North Korea and same thing for Japan. China is a great power. We're a great power. They are not.

So I think this is something else, not about them trying to come after us because they're not going to get anything out of that. Probably about changing leadership about Kim Jong-Il, who had a heart attack in August of last year, to his youngest son and that's always a touchy time in any country, particularly a country like this.

LEMON: Hey, Jim, let's talk about the recent missile launches. Are these as alarming as they seem? I think they have the potential, we're told -- you can tell me if this is true -- to reach Hawaii?

WALSH: No, certainly not the missiles we saw today.

LEMON: OK.

WALSH: The missiles that people talk about for Hawaii are the long- range, three-state ballistic missile. I have real doubts whether that could hit Hawaii. But that aside, the missiles we saw today were medium-range missiles.

What is the impact? The impact is not that they're going to land on a city. The real short-term impact is that Japan, understandably, freaks out about this sort of thing to have missiles launched near them. And this roils through domestic politics in Japan and very unwelcomed. And of course, it violates the Security Council resolution. Most of the consequences are really political and not military.

But we'll see more of this, Don, this is not the end of this because this process that they're going through will continue and will continue for several months, if not years.

LEMON: International security analyst, Jim Walsh, thank you, sir. Have a good weekend.

WALSH: Thank you. Have a good Fourth.

LEMON: Fans are registering by the thousands to win tickets to Michael Jackson's memorial service. Plus, we're learning more details about his will. Who is in it? Who is not?

(COMMERICAL BREAK)

LEMON: A quick update on the Michael Jackson death investigation. The Associated Press reports that the powerful drug diprivan was found in Jackson's home after his death. A former Jackson nurse tells CNN that Jackson requested that drug by name from just a few months ago to help him sleep.

Now, as for Tuesday's memorial service, there's been staggering public demand for those tickets.

And our Susan Roesgen has more on that.

Staggering may not describe it.

SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN NEWS CORRESPNDENT: More than 1.2 million, Don, that's where it is at right now. We're at the Michael Jackson family home where on the sidewalk this informal shrine has been growing with more balloons, more flowers and more hand-written notes and even flags from different countries, Sri Lanka, Turkey. People from all over the world have been coming here. And many people coming to bring things to this shrine are registering to get tickets. More than 1.2 million fans have registered online at the staplescenter.com web site. And yet, only 17,500 tickets will be given away. So, they know the odds are slim, but as so many people told me here today, Don, if they don't try for a ticket, they won't have a chance to get a little piece of history and get closure to say good-bye to a superstar -- Don?

LEMON: Boy, oh, boy, Susan, I don't know if your photographer could hear us. I would love to see some of the big memorial there. If you guys could pull out so I can see some of it. It looks like a lot of people are gathering there.

ROESGEN: Underneath the trees. Underneath the trees you see all the balloons, all the hand-written notes and so many flowers, Don. They bring fresh flowers every day. People around me have flowers in their hands ready to put down here. This sidewalk memorial keeps growing.

LEMON: Susan Roesgen, thank you. You can see the crowd.

On Tuesday, Susan, we know there will be more people who are gathered here in Los Angeles for Michael Jackson's memorial service.

We appreciate your hard work, Susan. Thank you very much.

There are lots of legal issues surrounding Michael Jackson's death. The biggest perhaps being custody of Jackson's three children.

Let's get insight on this from Lou Levenson, an estate attorney and a former lawyer for the James Brown family.

Lou, thank you for coming in on a holiday weekend. Give thus facts. What are the facts of the Michael Jackson's will and the children and Katherine Jackson who, I believe, is 79 years old. There is a provision if she is not around or able to take care of those children.

LOU LEVENSON, ESTATE ATTORNEY: Let's start with the principal that the state has a residuary clause, which is not uncommon in wills, which says that everything, essentially everything, after expenses, are paid go to a trust. And that trust is designed to benefit whoever the beneficiaries are. And that trust is not a public document, so we don't know the answer to who the beneficiaries are. The children's interests would be handled by their guardian, who is currently Mrs. Katherine Jackson.

LEMON: Everyone -- Katherine Jackson is the matriarch of the family and beloved by many around the country and around the world. The truth is she is 79 years old and so there are some concerns. Some people are saying maybe Debbie Rowe should come in and have some parental rights with these children. What does she have, what recourse, if any, or legal rights does she have to these children about custody.

LEVENSON: No question when it comes to the issue of minor children a superior court or probate court retains the ultimate decision making on what is best for the children. That doesn't mean they won't pay attention to the nomination of Mr. Jackson, but ultimately, the decision is what is in the best interest of the children. And if the court considers Mrs. Jackson's health or other time constraints wouldn't permit her to do what's best for the children, the court would consider the successor, which I believe is Diana Ross. And she would be considered and determined to be qualified or not qualified. And then ultimately the court might pass over all the nominees and appoint someone else.

LEMON: I've got to ask you this because Debbie Rowe's attorney just yesterday said, the day before yesterday, said my client really hasn't decided whether or not she's going to seek parental rights for the children. She hasn't made that decision yet. Listening to the attorney and reading the reports, is there some indication, as an attorney, that you think she'll make a play for this or not? LEVENSON: I would be surprised if she didn't make some effort to gain control of the financial -- of the financial interests of her children. She is the natural parent of the child. And the law recognizes that. Other than the father, who's no longer alive, then the natural surviving parent would have primary decision-making. Again, considering that the nomination of Mr. Jackson would have to be considered by the court.

LEMON: All right, Lewis Levenson, estate attorney, who worked with the James Brown estate. We appreciate it, thank you, sir.

LEVENSON: You're welcome.

LEMON: Be sure to tune in for a "CNN Presents" special on the life and music of Michael Jackson. "Man in the Mirror" airs tonight, 8:00 and 11:00 p.m. eastern only here on CNN.

LEMON: Tonight, I want to introduce you to a very special "CNN Hero." Meet a woman who is changing the perception of the United States one family at a time. Her name is Carolyn Manning and she lost a loved one on 9/11. But through that tragedy came a connection to other victims and to a world-wide crisis. Today she is helping people from all over the world rebuild their lives.

(CNN HEROES)

LEMON: CNN just learned new information on the Michael Jackson memorial service on Tuesday.

LEMON: All right. We want to get some of your feedback.

Here's what deedeerock said. "Palin's political career is over. You can't quit and expect to be seriously considered for a higher position. Up to something."

Janets98 says, "Reports do not begin to measure how much Nashville loved Steve McNair. What a loss."

Princessm7211 says of Palin, "Doesn't seem like a smart move. Makes you wonder if the Ethics Commission caught up with her."

And mobernstein says, "Don, do you think things will be in control for the Michael Jackson memorial on Tuesday?"

Well, police here say they had better be. A zero tolerance policy.

Twitter, Facebook, myspace.com and iReport.com is how you become part of the conversation.

I'm Don Lemon. I'm live in Los Angeles with the latest on the Michael Jackson investigation, plus the other news of the day. You'll only see it right here on CNN. Also, we've just learned some information about the Michael Jackson investigation. We're hearing that Michael Jackson's body may or may not be at the Staples Center on Tuesday. They have not confirmed that yet. It was first reported it would not be there. Police are saying they're not sure. As a matter of fact, Ken Sunshine, who is handling the family, is saying they are not sure.

I'm Don Lemon. See you back here in one hour. The "Situation Room" begins right now.

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