Police have found no signs of suicide or obvious trauma in the death of US music superstar Prince. However, it could take weeks before autopsy results reveal how the groundbreaking performer died, authorities said on Friday.
The intensely private musician, whose hits included “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry,” was found dead in an elevator at his home in suburban Minneapolis on Thursday at the age of 57. The news came as a shock to millions of fans around the world and prompted glowing tributes by fellow musicians.
No Obvious Sign of Trauma on Prince’s Body, Says Police
Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson, whose office is investigating the circumstances of his death, said Prince was last seen alive by an acquaintance who dropped him off at his home at about 8 pm on Wednesday night.
There were no obvious signs of trauma on the body. We have no reason to believe at this point that this was a suicide. The rest is under investigation.Jim Olson, Sheriff, Carver County
The influential star Prince Rogers Nelson was found unresponsive in an elevator at the Paisley Park Studios complex where he lived in the suburb of Chanhassen, authorities said.
The local medical examiner’s office conducted a post-mortem examination on Friday morning for four hours but its results could be some time coming. Prince‘s body was released to his family on Friday afternoon, the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office added in a statement.
As part of a complete exam, relevant information regarding Mr Nelson’s medical and social history will be gathered. Gathering the results will take several days and the results of a full toxicology scan could likely take weeks.Statement by Medical Examiner’s Office
I loved Prince, Its a Remarkable Loss, Says Obama
Prince first found fame in the late 1970s before becoming one of the most inventive forces in American pop music. On a trip to London, US President Barack Obama said he listened to “Purple Rain” and “Delirious” on Friday morning at the US ambassador’s residence to get “warmed up” for his meetings.
I loved Prince ... It’s a remarkable loss.Barack Obama, President, United States of America
Prince played multiple instruments including guitar, keyboards and drums. A Jehovah’s Witness and a strict vegan, he sold more than 100 million records and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Record producer LA Reid told NBC’s “Today” show on Friday that he was perplexed by the death of his friend.
The Prince I know was super healthy, vegan, wasn’t an abuser of drugs, wasn’t an abuser of alcohol. He was clean and he looked young and he looked really healthy and vibrant, so the whole thing is really mysterious to me.LA Reid, Record producer
During his life, Prince was known as fiercely determined to protect his intellectual property. How others might profit from his legacy hinges on how astute he was about arranging for control of his music after death. Twice divorced with no surviving children, he apparently lacked any immediately identifiable heirs.
Ex-wife Manuela Testolini said that as well as being a husband and friend, Prince had been a “fierce philanthropist” who encouraged her to set up her own charity. She had contacted him only a few days ago, she added, to tell him she was building a school in his honor. “I am heartbroken beyond words,” Testolini said in a statement on Friday.
Prince‘s music blended styles including rock, jazz, funk, disco and R&B, and it won him seven Grammy Awards as well as an Oscar. He had been on a US tour as recently as last week.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)