prince-tribute

Prince's death investigation now part of a criminal probe

prince-tribute
Outisde Paisley Park (photo by @leschel8)

A twist in the investigation into Prince‘s death on April 21: it’s now part of a criminal probe. The Minneapolis StarTribute reports:

In a three-page incident report, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office cited an exception to Minnesota public-records laws that allows it to suppress information relating to a “criminal” probe in deciding to release only scant information about the 911 response to the Paisley Park complex in Chanhassen that morning.

The law says that “investigative data collected or created by a law enforcement agency in order to prepare a case against a person, whether known or unknown, for the commission of a crime or other offense for which the agency has primary investigative responsibility are confidential or protected nonpublic while the investigation is active.”

The exception citation doesn’t mean that criminal charges will be filed at the completion of the Sheriff’s Office inquiry, only that charges are a possibility.

Sources with direct knowledge of the case have told the Star Tribune that they are investigating whether an overdose of opioids led to Prince’s death. Prescription pills were found at Paisley Park, but sources have said it was unclear whether they were prescribed to Prince. As part of the probe, investigators also are trying to determine how Prince got the pills, and who may have provided them.

Authorities also say that neither foul play nor suicide is suspected. The autopsy report may not be public for weeks, due in part to the investigation. Prince’s body was cremated in a private ceremony last week.

Categories: