Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Singer Prince died of accidental painkiller overdose: medical examiner

By Reuters 2 min read
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Prince performs during his 'Diamonds and Pearls Tour' at the Earl's Court Arena in London

By Fiona Ortiz and Suzannah Gonzales

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Music superstar Prince, who was found dead in his home in a Minneapolis suburb in late April, died of an accidental, self-administered overdose of an opioid painkiller, the county medical examiner said in a death report on Thursday.

Advertisement

The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Anoka County, Minnesota, had been investigating the 57-year-old singer’s death since he was discovered in an elevator in his home and studio on April 21.

“The decedent self-administered fentanyl,” the medical examiner’s report said, listing cause of death as “fentanyl toxicity” and noting it was accidental.

The investigation into Prince’s death has centered on painkillers after prescription opioid medication was found at the scene and after reports he had been struggling with an addiction and had been scheduled to meet with a doctor who specializes in treating dependency.

Fentanyl is a highly addictive opiate that is more powerful than morphine and is used to treat patients with severe pain, often after surgeries. It took weeks for officials to release the cause of death because they were waiting for the results of toxicity tests.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune said it was not clear whether fentanyl had been prescribed to Prince and if so, which doctor prescribed it.

Fentanyl is often sold illegally and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has said that rising drug overdose deaths in the United States are linked to increased use of illicitly manufactured fentanyl.

The local prosecutor, Carver County Attorney Mark Metz, said the county sheriff’s office continues to investigate Prince’s death, assisted by federal authorities, but at this point has not handed over the results of the probe to prosecutors.

“They will be looking at many different things,” Metz told Reuters by telephone.

Prince, whose full name was Prince Rogers Nelson, did not leave a will, and his multimillion-dollar estate including royalties from his more than 30 albums is being handled by a court. The songwriter’s hits include “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry.”

(Additional reporting by Megan Cassella in Washington; Editing by Frances Kerry, Peter Cooney and Bill Rigby)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC51147-VIEWIMAGE

Advertisement - Continue reading below

Judge in Stanford rape case will stop hearing criminal cases
News
Reuters 2 min read

Judge in Stanford rape case will stop hearing criminal cases

Hasbro loses license for ‘Jurassic World’ toys to Mattel
Entertainment
Reuters 1 min read

Hasbro loses license for ‘Jurassic World’ toys to Mattel

Nearly 600 Rural Organizations Signify Opposition to White House Proposal for USDA Reorganization and Budget Request in Advance of Congressional Hearing
News
Jason Owen 3 min read

Nearly 600 Rural Organizations Signify Opposition to White House Proposal for USDA Reorganization and Budget Request in Advance of Congressional Hearing

Billionaire Klarman slams Trump, vows to work for Clinton
News
Reuters 2 min read

Billionaire Klarman slams Trump, vows to work for Clinton

Massachusetts to tax ride-hailing apps, give the money to taxis
News
Reuters 3 min read

Massachusetts to tax ride-hailing apps, give the money to taxis

Judge dismisses Citizens United challenge to New York donor rules
News
Reuters 2 min read

Judge dismisses Citizens United challenge to New York donor rules

Judge issues final order upholding Alabama same-sex marriage
News
Reuters 2 min read

Judge issues final order upholding Alabama same-sex marriage

Ex-Air China employee pleads not guilty to U.S. smuggling charge
News
Reuters 2 min read

Ex-Air China employee pleads not guilty to U.S. smuggling charge

California blaze near Big Sur traced to unattended campfire
News
Reuters 2 min read

California blaze near Big Sur traced to unattended campfire

Charmian Carr, who played ‘Sound of Music’s Liesl, dies at age 73
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Charmian Carr, who played ‘Sound of Music’s Liesl, dies at age 73

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • For Advertisers