Tests reveal Prince died of opioid overdose

Tests reveal that Prince died of an opioid overdose.
(Image credit: Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

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.

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Jeva Lange

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.