News

Local Police Are Investigating Prince's Death

by Celia Darrough

Legendary pop star Prince was found dead in his home at the age of 57. His publicist confirmed this to Bustle on Thursday afternoon, adding that there were "no further details as to the cause of death at this time." While rumors about how it happened have swirled, a local law enforcement agency confirmed that the police will be investigating the death of Prince and the circumstances surrounding it.

Because Prince died at his Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota, right outside of Minneapolis, the Carver County Sheriff's Office said it is looking into the cause of death, tweeting, "Prince Rogers Nelson (57) found dead at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, MN. We are investigating the circumstances of his death."

According to a press release from the Carver County Sheriff's Office, deputies and medical personnel found Prince unresponsive in an elevator at Paisley Park. First responders tried to perform CPR, but were unable to revive him. Prince was declared dead at 10:07 a.m. The release further declared that not only will the Carver County Sheriff's Office be investigating the death, but the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office will assist in the investigation.

Twin Cities ABC affiliate KSTP 5 reported Thursday that Prince was allegedly seen by a doctor at a local hospital the day before his death, citing a law enforcement source. The police were reportedly called to the Paisley Park estate at around 9:45 a.m. for a medical call before determining it was now an investigation into his cause of death, Carver County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Jason Kamerud told KSTP.

Just one week ago, Prince was hospitalized after his plane made an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois. He had canceled scheduled performances because he had fallen ill with the flu, and reportedly fell ill again while flying. His publicist later said that Prince was recuperating at his Paisley Park home. The Paisley Park estate where Prince lived also housed a recording studio in its complex, and was known for putting Minneapolis on the map in terms of the music scene.