Joe Jackson

Michael Jackson's father Joe Jackson could be willing to step aside to help his wife win guardianship of his son's three children.

"Joe is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure Katherine gets those kids, even if it means stepping aside," a source close to the family tells People magazine. "He knows he's done nothing wrong, but he's willing to sign papers saying he doesn't live with Katherine and won't be involved in the raising of Michael's kids," the source adds.

Joe, 79, lives in Las Vegas while wife Katherine Jackson, also 79, lives in the Los Angeles area. Katherine has been awarded temporary custody of Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7.

It's not confirmed whether Debbie Rowe, Michael's ex wife and the biological mother of the two oldest kids, will also fight for custody.

The guardianship hearing for the children is scheduled for Aug. 3.

It has been widely reported that Michael Jackson's death will be investigated as a homicide, following La Toya and Joe Jackson's public statements saying they think the superstar was murdered. The Los Angeles Police Department tells "Extra" they are still not categorizing Jackson's death that way.

The 50-year-old singer collapsed at his rented L.A. mansion on June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest. Jackson's death certificate states the cause of death was deferred. Toxicology results are expected soon.

Police are also said to be hunting for a suitcase stuffed full of drugs, syringes, and IV bags that disappeared right before they arrived.

Katherine Jackson is caring for her three grandchildren now that their father Michael is gone. When he was alive, Katherine stood by MJ through his various tribulations. In interviews from "Good Morning America," the 79-year-old talked about her late son, her relationship with husband Joe and spirituality.

The interviews were shot before Michael's sudden death and even then, Katherine was hurt by the constant media coverage of her son. She told cameras, "Sometimes I listen to the television and they say ugly things about your children, it hurts." Jackson added, "People don't care how they hurt you. They should be careful what they say."

It's reported Katherine and Joe Jackson have been separated for 15 years. The Jackson matriarch admitted she lives in Los Angeles and Joe is in Las Vegas, but says "absence makes the heart grow fonder." Katherine recalled meeting Joe, saying, "I just had a feeling that he was going to be my husband. The first time I saw him I fell in love with him."

Jackson remains a devout Jehovah's Witness and says she does field service three days a week. The Jacksons raised their nine children as Jehovah's Witnesses as well, and Katherine confesses, "I wish they were a little more spiritual."

Rumor has it that Joe Jackson wants Michael's children -- Prince Michael, Paris and Blanket -- to follow in their famous father's moonwalking footsteps.

According to the NY Post, Joe is reportedly urging the three children to form a new song-and-dance act titled The Jackson 3 -- but a source tells the paper that the rest of the Jackson family would never allow it, saying, "That's something the family would absolutely not tolerate."

Joe, a former steel mill crane operator and musician, encouraged his sons Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael to form The Jackson 5 (originally The Jackson Brothers) in 1966.

A new report claims that Katherine Jackson and Debbie Rowe have already agreed to a secret custody deal regarding Michael's children -- which includes some shocking stipulations.

According to the report, Debbie won't fight Michael's mother for custody of Prince Michael, 12, and Paris Michael Katherine, 11 -- but only if certain terms are met. First, Debbie reportedly requested supervised monthly visits with the children -- who know Rowe only as a family friend they call "Miss Debbie." Second, Michael's father Joe allegedly cannot have a hand in raising the kids.

Debbie has been holed-up at her California ranch since Jackson's death. She is expected to attend the next custody hearing on July 20.

More than 6,000 people attended the memorial for Michael Jackson in his hometown of Gary, Indiana on Friday, the Associated Press reports.

The public event included performers singing and dancing his hit songs and comments from Rev. Jesse Jackson and the city's mayor, Rudy Clay.

The memorial began at 6:00 PM and lasted more than three hours. It was held in the town's minor league baseball park where more than 30 members of Jackson's family attended the event, including his father, Joe Jackson.

Jackson lived in the steel mill town until he was 11 years old.