Tests reveal Prince died of opioid overdose
Update 2:43 p.m.: The Minnesota medial examiner has confirmed that Prince died of an overdose on the powerful painkiller fentanyl. Our original post appears below.
A law enforcement official confirmed anonymously to The Associated Press on Thursday that tests revealed that legendary musician Prince died of an opioid overdose. Prince, 57, was found unconscious in an elevator at his home on April 21 and could not be revived; painkillers were reportedly discovered at the scene.
A source told CNN that Prince had been prescribed the opioid medication. Six days before his death, Prince's plane made an emergency landing; those with direct knowledge of the situation said the landing occurred because Prince was overdosing on opioids.
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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