Prince Autopsy Results Inconclusive
UPDATE: Prince‘s remains were cremated, his publicist Yvette Noel-Schure said Saturday, adding that “their final storage will remain private.” “A few hours ago, Prince was celebrated by a small group of his most beloved: family, friends and his musicians, in a private, beautiful ceremony to say a loving goodbye,” Noel-Schure said in a statement. “We ask for your blessings and prayers of comfort for his family and close friends at this time. The cause of death remains unknown and it will be at least four weeks before we receive the results of the autopsy. An announcement will be made at a future date for a musical celebration.”
The four-hour autopsy to determine Prince‘s cause of death ended Friday afternoon, but authorities say they are holding back on releasing results pending the return of toxicology reports. A rep for the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, the agency that conducted the autopsy, told TMZ that they are still collecting the musician’s medical records and Prince’s family’s medical history to aid in the investigation.
“The office will not release information until our results are complete,” Martha Weaver, the spokeswoman for the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, told reporters at a press conference. She suggested that it will probably be weeks before the coroner’s report is made available and the sheriff’s office will decide how much information, if any, they will release at what time.
A week ago, Prince’s plane made an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois so that the star could be rushed to the hospital. He was later confirmed home safe, and the cause of the illness was attributed to the flu. The following day, he made a trip to a local record store, where he purchased a copy of Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book. He also hosted a dance party at his Paisley Park mansion. On Twitter, he announced the celebration as a way “2 GIVE THANX 4 THE GOOD WEATHER AND 4 ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT.”
But on Thursday morning, the local sheriff responded to a call for medical attention at Prince’s studio. The musician was found dead in his elevator when authorities arrived.
In the aftermath of his death, tributes have poured in from all corners of the globe: Minneapolis natives, fellow musicians, sports stars, late night TV hosts, and more.
The autopsy on Prince Rogers Nelson completed at 1:00 pm CDT. Results are pending. Body will be released to family. pic.twitter.com/mr5dzHO3WX
— Midwest Medical Exam (@MidwestMedExam) April 22, 2016