Prince has died.
According to TMZ, the star’s body was discovered at his Paisley Park studio this morning. His publicist has since confirmed the news via Associated Press and the BBC.
The story began with reports that a death investigation was underway at the studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota, later confirmed by the county sheriff. Prince’s death follows news last week that Prince had been hospitalized with the flu, but threw a dance party the day after he was released. The cause of his death is as yet unknown.
BREAKING: Publicist: Pop music superstar Prince has died at his home in suburban Minneapolis.
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 21, 2016
Born Prince Rogers Nelson, the singer released 39 studio albums over a career spanning 40 years. He rose to fame in 1982 with the release of fifth album 1999, and became a superstar with the release of 1984’s Purple Rain – also a film. His final two albums, HITnRUN Phase One and HITnRUN Phase Two, were released last year. He is said to have sold more than 100 million records during his career.
Update: The Carver County Sheriff’s Department has released a statement about Prince’s death:
Prince was found unresponsive inside an elevator at Paisley Park, according to statement released by @CarverSheriff pic.twitter.com/BurGazpE0z
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) April 21, 2016
Update 2: Prince was reportedly treated for a drug overdose six days ago.
Last week, it was reported that Prince’s private jet had to make an emergency landing so that he could receive hospital treatment.
His representation said it was due to flu symptoms, but multiple sources in Moline, Illinois, where the plane was landed, have told TMZ it was for a drug overdose. One source says Prince “was not doing well” after his release.
Despite this information, no cause of death has been determined at this time.
Update 3: A postmortem is scheduled for today (April 22)
As The Guardian reports, a postmortem examination will take place later today to determine Prince’s cause of death.
The artist was pronounced dead at the scene 10:07am on April 21.
Update 4: Autopsy completed, body released to family (April 22)
At 3pm on Friday 22 April, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference about its investigation into Prince’s death. The sheriff, Jim Olson, said there were “no obvious signs of trauma” and that authorities did not believe this was a suicide. The body was subsequently released to Prince’s family.
A press release by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Ramsey, Minnesota, states that no results from the autopsy will be made public until a full exam is completed which “could likely take weeks.”
The autopsy on Prince Rogers Nelson completed at 1:00 pm CDT. Results are pending. Body will be released to family. pic.twitter.com/mr5dzHO3WX
— Midwest Medical Exam (@MidwestMedExam) April 22, 2016
Read Andrew Friedman’s tribute to the baddest motherfucker on the planet.
