Eugene and me have spent a month’s holiday on that island. (Eugene, don't panic, I only said “let’s imagine”). Jackson died on the second day of our stay there. Then we arrive at the airport, take a bus and come home. I take the mail out the mail-box. We sit down at the table and I look through the newspapers as we eat. Then I exclaim, “Can you imagine? Michael Jackson has died!”
Well, it's not really incorrect to say that, but what I'd say is that it's not realistic. If it were on the news, and he had just died a few hours ago, they would come on and say, "Entertainer Michael Jackson has died." But if two native speakers were sitting over coffee and reading the newspaper, they would say, "Wow, Michael Jackson died!" It would be quick, and to the point. So, generally we don't always talk as we would write. It's not incorrect the first way, but not very realistic in conversation...