Singer Prince died of opioid overdose -AP citing law enforcement

Prince
Prince

(Reuters) – Tests show music superstar Prince, who was found dead in his home in a Minneapolis suburb in late April, died of an overdose of opioid painkillers, the Associated Press reported on Thursday, citing a law enforcement official.

A spokesman for the Carver County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and a spokeswoman at the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office said that agency had no new information to release about Prince’s death.

The cause of death has so far remained undetermined since the 57-year-old singer died on April 21. Federal authorities, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, have been involved in an investigation into Prince’s death.

princeThe news follows earlier reports that Prince had the painkiller Percocet in his system when he died.

Prescription opioid medication was also found at the scene of Prince’s death, according to a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation but not authorized to speak publicly.

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 included “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry.”