Prince Rogers Nelson was found dead at his Paisley Park home last Thursday, leaving fans all over the world to mourn his loss and celebrate his life. But the precise cause of the 57-year-old’s death remains unknown.
On Thursday, reports surfaced, citing law enforcement officials speaking on condition of anonymity, that claimed prescription opioids were found on Prince’s body at the time of his death. Legally obtained, it is unclear if the medication played a role in his death, but sources also confirmed that the US Drug Enforcement Agency has been brought into the case.
On Thursday, an official speaking to the Associated Press confirmed that investigators are considering an overdose as a possible cause of death.
On Wednesday Hollywood gossip site TMZ reported that Prince was addicted to the pain medication Percocet. Citing "multiple sources connected with the singer’s family," TMZ reported that the musician was rushed to an emergency room over a Percocet overdose six days before his death.
An autopsy was performed on the day of his death, but results have not yet been released.
In the meantime, Chief Deputy Jason Kamerud of the Carver County sheriff’s office obtained a warrant to search the singer’s Paisley Park compound. The results of the search, however, will not be revealed to the public for the time being.
Citing "intense media scrutiny," a state district court judge authorized a request to keep the findings sealed for 180 days, or until the beginning of court proceedings.
Court records released on Wednesday show that a bank has been appointed to safeguard the musician’s estate. This appointment was necessary since the singer does not appear to have created an authorized will.
"The decedent left surviving no spouse; issue; parents; brothers, sisters or issue of deceased brothers or sisters other than those named in this petition," Tyka Nelson, Prince’s only living relative, wrote in a court filing.
"I do not know of the existence of a will and have no reason to believe that the decedent executed testamentary documents in any form."
In the wake of Prince’s death, fans around the world have held a number of tributes to his legacy. Last Thursday, album sales spiked to 230,000, with over 1 million songs purchased on iTunes.
