Prince Feared ‘Dying Alone’ Confidante Reveals As His Estranged Family Heads To Court Over $300 Million Fortune

The mysteries surrounding Prince’s death continue to unravel in the weeks following his unexpected passing. While Prince’s family battles it out in court over his massive fortune, the pop star’s longtime confidante Neal Karlen shed some light on the music legend’s biggest fear.

According to Us Magazine, Karlen sent a letter to the Minneapolis Star Tribune that revealed Prince feared dying alone. Sadly, Prince was found unresponsive and alone in an elevator when he passed.

“I just pray Prince wasn’t cognizant, even for a mite of a moment, that he was dying alone in a nondescript elevator, in a Wonder Bread suburb of the city that was one day too late in telling him we loved him as much as he loved Minneapolis,” Karlen shared. “Because there’s one thing I’m positive I know about Prince. After knowing him in forever alternating cycles of greater, lesser and sometimes not-at-all friendship over the last 31 years: His biggest and perhaps only fear was dying alone.”

Karlen and Prince had a long history of working together. For his part, Karlen covered Prince in the 1990s and corresponded with him throughout the years. The two developed a friendship that included Prince calling him at odd hours of the night to talk about death and depression.

At this time, the exact cause of Prince’s death is still unknown. According to first responders and police, there were no signs of a struggle that would indicate foul play.

“A sign of trauma is that something violent would have happened,” Sheriff Jim Olson stated. “There is no sign of that at all.”

According to the Guardian, Prince was likely suffering from an unknown illness at the time of his death. In fact, Prince’s cook, Ray Roberts, revealed that the pop superstar changed his diet in the months leading up to his death and was losing a lot of weight as a result.

“It felt like he wasn’t himself probably the last month or two,” Roberts stated. “I think he was just struggling with being sick a lot.”

The change in diet included a request for meals that were easier to digest. This included smoothies and juices, which were also made to help Prince deal with a sore throat.

As the facts surrounding his death continue to be revealed, fans who witnessed Prince’s final performance noted that he looked tired on stage. Furthermore, Roberts explained that Prince lived on soups and salads over the past few months.

Meanwhile, ABC News is reporting that Prince left behind a fortune worth some $300 million. Unfortunately, Prince did not leave behind a will at the time of his death. A hearing to determine the fate of Prince’s estate is currently underway between Prince’s family members. This includes his only full-blood sibling, Tyka Nelson, and five more half-siblings, including Alfred Frank Jackson.

Despite not having seen Prince for a long time, Jackson told the outlet that he shared fond memories with Prince growing up. Along with looking out for his younger brother, Jackson described Prince as a “ladies man” and “real competitive.”

At the same time, reports have surfaced that indicate problems between Jackson and the rest of Prince’s family. However, Jackson’s lawyer, Frank Wheaton, has since dispelled the rumors and explained that all is well behind the scenes.

“If you saw the hugs that were given, you would know that this is a family that loved one another no matter what… Alfred contacted me through his brother and said, ‘I want you to be here to make certain that I have an opportunity to sit at the table’ and everyone welcomed him accordingly,” Wheaton shared.

The hearing was expected to appoint an administrator over Prince’s estate who will determine the extent of Prince’s fortune, People reports.

Judge Kevin W. Eide said that all heirs involved have “agreed to openly communicate with each other and to have regular communication.”

“None of us has a crystal ball,” he continued. “We don’t know what claims will be made, but we will address those as they come.”

Tell us! What do you think was Prince’s cause of death? Let us know in the comments below.

[Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images]