The singer Prince died of an opioid overdose, a law enforcement official has told the Associated Press.
The US media were told in May that prescription painkillers were found in the musician’s possession following his death on April 21, and there has now reportedly been confirmation that opioids contributed to his passing.
Detectives have been questioning a doctor who saw Prince twice in the weeks leading up to his death. According to a police warrant, Dr Michael Schulenberg prescribed the 57-year-old medication on April 7 and April 20 – the latter being the day before he died.
The search warrant for the Minnestoa hospital that employed Dr Schulenberg at the time does not specify what drugs were prescribed or whether or not Prince took them.
The singer’s death came less than a week after his place was forced to make an emergency stop in Illinois, for medical treatment as he was returning from an Atlanta concert.
The official, who is close to the investigation but spoke anonymously to the media, said Prince was found unconscious on the plane and First Responders gave him a shot of Narcan, an antidote used in suspected opioid overdoses.
Many of Prince’s friends claimed they’d seen little sign of drug use from the singer, who generally had a reputation for clean living. However, longtime collaborator and friend Sheila E told the Associated Press that Prince had physical issues from performing, and that years of jumping off risers and stage speakers in heels had given him hip and knee problems.
Dr Schulenberg’s lawyer has declined to comment on the case.
