The writer and director of Prince’s debut feature film “Purple Rain”, Albert Magnoli, says the news of the music legend’s sudden demise “is very hard to process”. The Medical Examiner’s Office would not release any definitive information on Prince’s death.
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Prince was found unresponsive in an elevator at his estate.
An updated release from the medical examiner’s office stated the singer’s body would be returned to his family and that a full report, including toxicology, could “likely take weeks”.
The complete lab results from the autopsy may take days or weeks, according to Martha Weaver, a spokesperson for the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.
Olson said there was “no obvious signs of trauma on the body at all”, including no indication of a head injury from a fall.
Carver County, Minnesota Sheriff Jim Olson plans to hold the news conference to summarize the ongoing investigation into the 57-year-old musician’s death.
Olson said that he believes that Prince was alone when he died.
Obama released a statement Thursday calling Prince a “virtuoso” and quoting the musician, who once said “a strong spirit transcends rules”. “To us, he was a community member”, Sheriff Olson said.
“There are so many rumors”, Olson said.
Criminal investigators took over Prince’s home on Thursday to examine the death scene and Paisley Park’s maze of rooms and studios, but the sheriff insisted their involvement was routine, as Prince’s passing was an “unwitnessed death”.
Celebrity website TMZ, citing unidentified sources, has reported that Prince was treated for an overdose of the powerful painkiller Percocet while traveling home from concerts in Atlanta last week.
On Thursday, members of Prince’s staff became anxious when they couldn’t contact him on Thursday morning.
At about 9:43 yesterday morning, we received a medical call at Paisley Park in Chanhassen.
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The list of people who attended was not announced, but Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson and brother-in-law Maurice Phillips were seen on the grounds of Prince’s estate Paisley Park, as well as friends such as percussionist Sheila E. and bassist Larry Graham. Earlier in the day, hundreds gathered outside prince’s suburban home carrying bouquets, balloons and signs.
