Michael IV died on 10 December 1041 , possibly in suspicious circumstances , and Michael V succeeded him .
John convinced the empress to adopt Stephen 's son Michael as her own , thus ensuring the continuation of the Paphlagonian line .
Michael   died on 10 December 1041 , possibly in suspicious circumstances , and Michael V succeeded John .
John convinced the empress to adopt Stephen 's son Michael as her own , thus ensuring the continuation of the Paphlagonian line .