A day after the death of Prince on Thursday at age 57, an autopsy was conducted at the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Ramsey, Minnesota.
Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson told the assembled press there were no obvious signs of trauma on Prince’s body when he was found. There is no reason to believe Prince’s death was a suicide. The medical examiner’s office said it “will not release information until the exam is complete and all results are obtained.”
It could be days or weeks before results are complete, spokeswoman Martha Weaver said.
Prince was found unresponsive in an elevator at Paisley Park, his home and recording studio, in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Thursday. Paramedics tried to perform CPR but were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead at 10:07 a.m., less than 30 minutes after sheriff’s deputies responded to a medical call at the scene.
Authorities say Prince’s body was released to his family today. The autopsy began at 9 a.m. CT (10 a.m. ET) and lasted four hours.
Before providing details of Prince’s death and autopsy, Olson said to the press: “This is a tragedy for all of us. To you, Prince Rogers Nelson was a celebrity. To us, he was a community member and a good neighbor. To his family, he is a loved one. In life, he was a very private person. We’re going to continue to respect his privacy and dignity, and hope you do as well.”
The Sheriff added that the “incident” continues to be under investigation.
TMZ reported yesterday that Prince had OD’d on the painkiller Percocet days before his death. That he “ingested so much, EMTs had to administer a ‘save shot’ at the airport where his plane made an emergency landing to save his life.”
Reportedly, Prince had taken the painkiller after his Atlanta concert which “triggered the emergency.” Sources say the singer was taking painkillers for a hip problem, and had corrective surgery around 2010.
EOnline reports that when the singer took the stage in Atlanta on April 14 he apologized to fans for canceling two concerts the prior week. “I was a little under the weather,” Prince said. “But we’re here now, and I’m going to take this time to thank each and every one of you for coming out and enjoying this time with us.” Perhaps presciently, Prince also told the audience of about 200 fans, “Wait a few days before you waste any prayers.” Prince also thanked his doctor multiple times on stage.
Correction: Contrary to the EOnline report, the “Wait a few days” remark happened a few days later on April 17 at a fan concert at Paisley Park, held to assure people he was OK after the plane incident.
Watch the full 30 minute press conference here:
