Prince died of a drug overdose, says toxicology report

Creative icon Prince passed away as a result of an accidental opioid overdose.

After Prince was found dead at his home in Minnesota on April 21, reports emerged that a painkiller drug was found in his system. However, no official cause of death had been given until now. 

A law-enforcement official “close to the investigation” first revealed the cause of death to The Associated Press this morning. The source spoke anonymously to the news agency, claiming autopsy results released today showed Prince died of an overdose of Fentanyl. 

The autopsy report has since been released on Twitter by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office. It’s sparse on details but lists Prince’s death as accidental. The report reads: "How injury occurred: The decedent self-administered fentanyl."

According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Fentanyl is 25 to 50 times more potent than heroin and 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.

The report said Prince weighed 112 pounds (50.8kg) and was 63 inches (5.25ft) tall when he died.

Prince Rogers Nelson investigation results attached pic.twitter.com/CMt6lQSGxJ

— Midwest Medical Exam (@MidwestMedExam) June 2, 2016

According to CNN, the full autopsy and toxicology reports will not be released. 

TMZ is reporting that a criminal investigation has been launched following the report’s release. The website suggested officials could be investigating how Prince obtained the Fentanyl.

Prince, whose full name was Prince Rogers Nelson, died at age 57. He was found unresponsive in an elevator at his home and recording studio Paisley Park. 

:: Read TMN’s tribute to Prince here

Last month eleven lawyers started to work through his personal fortune, as the star had not left a will. The exact value of his estate is not known but his music catalogue alone is estimated at over $500 million. Seven if his relatives have emerged demanding a share along with a number of Prince’s “love children”.