California doctor Howard Kornfeld was first contacted by Prince representatives on April 20, one day before the singer’s body was discovered at his home, attorney William Mauzy told reporters.
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After Prince’s representatives called Howard Kornfeld, the physician, he recommended that a local doctor care for the musician until Kornfeld could get to Minnesota, Mauzy told the Star Tribune. Mauzy said Andrew Kornfeld meant to give the medication to a local doctor that Kornfeld had arranged to see Prince on the following day.
Andrew Kornfeld was interviewed by investigators from the sheriff’s office on April 21 and returned to California that night, Mauzy said.
Kornfeld was scheduled to travel to Minnesota on April 21, and after stabilising the singer, meant to take him to his rehabilitation centre in Mill Valley for a recovery programme, BBC News reported. “Dr. Kornfeld was never able to meet Prince, never talked to Prince and was sadly not able to arrive in time”.
These claims come amid reports Prince had been addicted to painkiller Percocet for years because of problems with his hips and that he had to be given a “save shot” nearly a week before his passing after he overdosed on the highly-addictive drug, which contains acetaminophen and oxycodone.
The doctor, described as “a trusted colleague” of Kornfeld’s, agreed to clear his morning schedule on April 21 to ensure privacy for Prince. “That was the plan”, referring to Howard Kornfeld’s California treatment center. “Prince would go there for pain management and any addiction issues that he wanted”, Mauzy said.
Neither Kornfeld nor his attorney could immediately be reached for comment.
A statement Wednesday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office says that office and the DEA are joining the Carver County Sheriff’s Office in investigating Prince’s April 21 death at age 57.
Drug diversion involves the transfer of legally prescribed controlled substances to another individual for illicit use. At the time, Kornfeld was carrying a small amount of buprenorphine, a medication that helps curb addiction to painkillers. However, it was never administered, Mauzy said.
The DEA was expected to focus on identifying the prescription medications found on Prince and determining where they came from. Sources with direct knowledge of the investigation have said that the landing occurred because Prince was overdosing on opioids. TMZ also reported that Prince was rushed to the hospital after his plane made an emergency landing in IL on April 15.
Prince’s bodyguard carried him to waiting paramedics at the airport and he was given a shot of the opioid antidote Narcan.
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“I have nothing to say”, she said.
