It's a relief. He used to be a handsome, talented kid. But he just got increasingly creepy and disturbing over the last twenty years. It wasn't fun to watch.
Jackson is a case study in how too much fame and money can distort a person.
I think even the people who never gave up on him must be sad, but a bit relieved to know his descent into a painful mockery of himself is over.
Like with Elvis after his demise, time will restore his reputation and he'll be remembered for his best years, not his worst ones.