As fans across the globe still struggle to come to terms with the shock loss of Prince, authorities in the US are working to determine what exactly caused the beloved musical icon’s death.
An autopsy has been carried out at the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Prince’s home state of Minnesota, after the 57-year-old legend was found dead inside his household elevator on Thursday, and preliminary results have shed a little more light on the mystery surrounding his death.
Unfortunately, so far all that we seem to know is what didn’t kill Prince.
The Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson has told a press conference that there were “no obvious signs of trauma” on Prince’s body when he was found, adding: “A sign of trauma would be some sign of violence that had happened, there was no sign of that at all”.
Investigators also seem to have ruled out the possibility that Prince took his own life.
“We have no reason to believe at this point that this was a suicide,” the Sheriff said. “But again, this is early on in the investigation and we’re continuing to investigate.”
According to the local medical examiner’s office, Prince’s autopsy results will take days, while the results of a full toxicology scan could take weeks.
It comes after reports from gossip site TMZ that Prince was treated for a painkiller overdose in the week prior to his death, and rescued from the brink of flat-lining with a “save shot” that was administered after his plane made an emergency landing.
But when quizzed about whether the rocker’s death could be linked to the overdose, the Sheriff refused to comment.
“This case is currently under investigation and I’m not going to talk about that at this time,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prince’s friend and record producer LA Reid has told NBC’s Today Show that the songwriting master was healthy and totally clean of drugs when he died.
“The thing that really bothers me about it is the Prince I know was super-healthy, vegan, wasn’t an abuser of drugs, wasn’t an abuser of alcohol,” Reid said (via the ABC). “He was clean and he looked young and he looked really healthy and vibrant, so the whole thing is really mysterious to me.”
Naturally, heartbroken tributes to the great Purple One have been flooding in from his fans and peers and even mother nature herself, while monuments across the world have been turning purple for Prince.
We’ll bring you more news regarding his cause of death as it develops.
Gallery: Prince’s Life In Pictures
Iconic Prince Photos
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Prince At The Bottom Line
Now this is really early days with Prince performing in NYC at the Bottom Line on February 15, 1980. (Photo by Waring Abbott/Getty Images) -
Prince At The Palladium NYC 1981
Performing off the back of his third album Controversy, even in the early days he was a force to be reckoned with onstage (Photo by Waring Abbott/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Photo Of Prince - Purple Rain Tour
Prince performing on stage - Purple Rain Tour (Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns) -
Premiere of 'Purple Rain'
Prince attending the premiere of his feature film 'Purple Rain' on July 26, 1984 at Mann Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage) -
Prince performing at The Ritz
More of him performing on the Purple Rain Tour (Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns) -
Prince Live At The Forum
Prince performs live at the Fabulous Forum on February 19, 1985 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Prince Live In LA
More from his iconic show at the Fabulous Forum on February 19, 1985 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
BRIT Awards 1985
Prince collects the award for Best International Artist at the British Record Industry Awards, aka the BRIT Awards with classic style in London, 11th February 1985. (Photo by Georges De Keerle/Getty Images) -
Prince Plays Guitar In Concert
Prince shredding onstage in 1985 a year after the release of Purple Rain (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) -
Prince In UK
Prince performing in the UK, circa 1985. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
Prince In Polka Dot
Always a snappy dresser, Prince rocks some polka dots on stage in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 18, 1988. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) -
Purple One At Wembley
The purple one performing at the iconic Wembley stadium in London, 1986 in the post Purple Rain era. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
Prince On Stage
Prince shows some skin while performing on stage, 1986. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
Prince Performs In Concert
Barechested with a guitar strapped at his waist and performing in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 30, 1990. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) -
Prince Flying High In Concert
Ever the showman, Prince delights fans circa 1990. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) -
Prince At Wembley
The purple one returns to Wembley, London, 22nd August 1990. (Photo by Graham Wiltshire/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
Prince Listens To Crowd In Concert
Prince holds one hand by his ear to hear the crowd response, during a concert, February 1991. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) -
1991 MTV Video Music Awards
Prince performs at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards Held in Los Angeles, CA on September 5, 1991. Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images -
Prince In Concert
Prince in concert and in costume at Earl's Court, London, 15th June 1992. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images) -
Prince Performing At Radio City Music Hall
Prince performs onstage at Radio City Music Hall on March 24, 1993 in New York, New York. (Photo of Prince Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Super Bowl XLI Half-Time Press Conference Featuring Prince
Prince performs during the Super Bowl XLI Half-Time Press Conference at the Miami Convention Center on February 1, 2007 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) -
Prince At The SCG Show In Sydney
Prince delighting Aussie fans on his early 90s Australian tour. (Photo by Patrick Riviere/Getty Images). -
Prince Headlining UK Festival 2011
Even in his later days Prince never lost his presence and energy on stage. (Photo by Neil Lupin/Redferns)
