INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Prince’s Cause Of Death: As Investigation Continues And Autopsy Scheduled, Details Of ‘Secret Health Crisis’ Emerge

By Nathan Francis
Published on: 11:15 PST, Apr 21, 2016

Prince’s cause of death remains under investigation, and as the local sheriff’s department looks into how the singer died and an autopsy has been scheduled, details are emerging of a “secret health crisis” he had reportedly been suffering in recent weeks.

The singer was found dead on Thursday at his home in Minnesota. Though there are still no details on Prince’s cause of death, reports indicate that he may have been suffering from failing health in recent weeks that led to an alarming hospital visit and trips to the pharmacy.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday, the Midwest Medical Examiners Office noted in a press release.

Carver County Chief Deputy Jason Kame told Fox 9 that deputies responded to a medical call at the singer’s home at 9:43 a.m. on Thursday, finding him unconscious.

“When deputies and medical personnel arrived, they found an unresponsive adult male in the elevator,” police said in a statement that did not reveal the Prince’s cause of death. “First responders attempted to provide livesaving CPR, but were unable to revive the victim. He was declared dead at 10:07 a.m.”

The Carver County Sheriff’s Office said it will continue to investigate Prince’s cause of death.

There had been rumors of the singer’s death spreading on Thursday morning after reports emerged that police responded to the call his home, and a representative later confirmed that Prince had indeed died.

“It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning at the age of 57,” said his publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, via CNN.

Even though Prince’s cause of death has not been officially announced, many reports claim his death is related to his recent health woes. Prince had been rushed to a hospital earlier this month after his plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Illinois.

The Star Tribune reported that he was suffering from “bad dehydration” but was “all good” after being released from the hospital and returning home.

The hospital visit was the culmination of a bout with the flu that stretched several weeks and caused Prince to cancel two shows in Atlanta on April 7. The following week Prince had another concert scheduled in Atlanta and was determined to make it, but fell ill on the plane trip back to his home, prompting the emergency landing, the Star Tribune reported.

But not much was made of the incident, and by Friday the singer had returned to Twitter with a reference to the song “Controversy,” which starts with the lyric, “I just can’t believe all the things people say.”

The next day, at an appearance near his home, Prince reassured fans not to make too much of the medical problems.

“Wait a few days before you waste any prayers,” he told the crowd, via Bustle.

But there are now reports that Prince may have been in failing health the entire time. TMZ reported on a so-called “secret health crisis” that led the singer to several trips to a local pharmacy in recent days.

“TMZ obtained this photo of Prince leaving a Walgreens near his home in Minnesota Wednesday night at around 7 PM.

“Our sources tell us Prince had frequented the Walgreens for years — but last night, people at the store were concerned because he looked much more frail and nervous than usual.

“As we previously reported, Prince’s team told the media he was suffering from the flu. It seemed odd, because his private jet had to make an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois last Friday, just 48 minutes from his home.”

Amid the speculation, there was still no official word on Prince’s cause of death, and his publicist put off questions about how the music legend had died.

Prince showed little signs of slowing in recent years. Even as he turned 57, the singer was just as busy as ever, releasing four albums in the last 18 months, including two on the Tidal streaming service.

As the Star Tribune noted, Prince was also “shedding his reclusive reputation” in recent years with a string of appearances, including celebrating the Minnesota Lynx’s WNBA championship with his protégé, singer Judith Hill.

As rumors of Prince’s cause of death has spread, so too have the remembrances for the music icon. Figures across the world of entertainment have shared their grief online, and Prince’s name along with several of his famous song titles were among the top trending terms on Twitter.

[Picture by John Sciulli/Getty Images]

Share this article: Prince’s Cause Of Death: As Investigation Continues And Autopsy Scheduled, Details Of ‘Secret Health Crisis’ Emerge
More from Inquisitr