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Prince died after accidental painkiller overdose

Prince died of an opioid overdose, a US law enforcement official has said
Prince died of an opioid overdose, a US law enforcement official has said

Following weeks of speculation over the cause of Prince's death, it has been confirmed that the singer died of an opioid overdose.

Tests show that Prince, who was found dead in his home in a Minneapolis suburb on 21 April, died of an overdose of opioid painkillers.

The 57-year-old star's death was an "accident" caused by self-diagnosed fentanyl, the medical examiner's office in his native Minnesota said in a statement.
              
Fentanyl is a highly addictive opiate that is more powerful than morphine and is used to treat patients with severe pain, often after surgeries. 

 

Chief medical examiner Dr Angelique Quinn Strobl's report was unable to confirm when the overdose was taken.

The one-page report said Prince was dressed in black at the time of his death and was wearing a black cap.

The medical examiner's office said its investigation into Prince's death had now finished and it was unable to make any further comments.

A spokesman for Carver County Sheriff's Office said its investigation was continuing but was unable to give any further details about its progress.

Federal authorities, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, have been involved in an investigation into Prince's death.
              
Prince, whose full name was Prince Rogers Nelson, did not leave a will, and his multimillion-dollar estate including royalties from his more than 30 albums is being handled by a court. 

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