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Investigators look into possible Prince overdose on prescription drugs Investigators look into possible Prince overdose on prescription drugs
(4 months later)
Investigators are looking into whether Prince died from an overdose, and whether a doctor was prescribing him drugs in the weeks before the singer was found dead at his home in suburban Minneapolis.Investigators are looking into whether Prince died from an overdose, and whether a doctor was prescribing him drugs in the weeks before the singer was found dead at his home in suburban Minneapolis.
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A law enforcement official said on Thursday that among the things investigators are looking at is whether a doctor was with Prince on a plane that made an emergency landing in Illinois less than a week before the star died.A law enforcement official said on Thursday that among the things investigators are looking at is whether a doctor was with Prince on a plane that made an emergency landing in Illinois less than a week before the star died.
The official has been briefed on the investigation and made the revelations to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.The official has been briefed on the investigation and made the revelations to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.
They said investigators are also looking into what kind of drugs were on the plane and at Prince’s house in suburban Minneapolis.They said investigators are also looking into what kind of drugs were on the plane and at Prince’s house in suburban Minneapolis.
The official also confirmed some details that have previously been reported by other media outlets, including TMZ.The official also confirmed some details that have previously been reported by other media outlets, including TMZ.
Prince’s plane made an emergency stop in Moline, Illinois, on 15 April and he was found unconscious on the plane, the official said. The person said first responders gave Prince a shot of Narcan, which is used in suspected opioid overdoses. The official said the so-called “save shot” was given when the plane was on the tarmac in Moline, as Prince was returning to Minneapolis following a performance in Atlanta.Prince’s plane made an emergency stop in Moline, Illinois, on 15 April and he was found unconscious on the plane, the official said. The person said first responders gave Prince a shot of Narcan, which is used in suspected opioid overdoses. The official said the so-called “save shot” was given when the plane was on the tarmac in Moline, as Prince was returning to Minneapolis following a performance in Atlanta.
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The official said investigators are looking at whether Prince overdosed on the plane and whether an overdose killed him, and at what kind of drugs were involved. One possibility is the powerful painkiller Percocet or something similar, the official said.The official said investigators are looking at whether Prince overdosed on the plane and whether an overdose killed him, and at what kind of drugs were involved. One possibility is the powerful painkiller Percocet or something similar, the official said.
Narcan can be used on people even if an overdose isn’t confirmed because it wouldn’t necessarily be harmful.Narcan can be used on people even if an overdose isn’t confirmed because it wouldn’t necessarily be harmful.
A second law enforcement official told AP that prescription drugs were discovered at Prince’s home when the musician was found dead on 21 April.A second law enforcement official told AP that prescription drugs were discovered at Prince’s home when the musician was found dead on 21 April.
An autopsy has been performed, but results aren’t expected for three to four weeks. The search warrant for Prince’s Paisley Park home and studio, carried out on the day of his death, was filed on Thursday under seal at the request of investigators, who said it would hamper their investigation if contents were public.An autopsy has been performed, but results aren’t expected for three to four weeks. The search warrant for Prince’s Paisley Park home and studio, carried out on the day of his death, was filed on Thursday under seal at the request of investigators, who said it would hamper their investigation if contents were public.
An affidavit in support of sealing the warrant, signed by Carver County Chief Deputy Jason Kamerud, also warned that disclosing details in the warrant could cause “the search or related searches to be unsuccessful” and risk injury to innocent people.An affidavit in support of sealing the warrant, signed by Carver County Chief Deputy Jason Kamerud, also warned that disclosing details in the warrant could cause “the search or related searches to be unsuccessful” and risk injury to innocent people.
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Kamerud declined to comment on the reports of drugs found at Paisley Park, and told AP that he strongly disputed reports by several media outlets that investigators had asked the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for help in the case.Kamerud declined to comment on the reports of drugs found at Paisley Park, and told AP that he strongly disputed reports by several media outlets that investigators had asked the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for help in the case.
“We have not asked them for help, or asked them to be a part of the investigation,” Kamerud said. “We might contact them to help us, but that hasn’t happened. We don’t have the medical examiner’s report yet. We don’t know to what extent pharmaceuticals could be a part of this.”“We have not asked them for help, or asked them to be a part of the investigation,” Kamerud said. “We might contact them to help us, but that hasn’t happened. We don’t have the medical examiner’s report yet. We don’t know to what extent pharmaceuticals could be a part of this.”
Leo Hawkins, a DEA spokesman in Chicago, said he had no comment.Leo Hawkins, a DEA spokesman in Chicago, said he had no comment.
Prince’s death came two weeks after he cancelled concerts in Atlanta, saying he wasn’t feeling well. He played a pair of makeup shows on 14 April in that city. Prince was scheduled to perform two shows in St Louis, but cancelled them shortly before his death, due to health concerns.Prince’s death came two weeks after he cancelled concerts in Atlanta, saying he wasn’t feeling well. He played a pair of makeup shows on 14 April in that city. Prince was scheduled to perform two shows in St Louis, but cancelled them shortly before his death, due to health concerns.
Longtime friend and collaborator Sheila E has told the AP that Prince had physical issues from performing, citing hip and knee problems that she said came from years of jumping off risers and stage speakers in heels.Longtime friend and collaborator Sheila E has told the AP that Prince had physical issues from performing, citing hip and knee problems that she said came from years of jumping off risers and stage speakers in heels.