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Prince died on April 21 at his home and studio outside
Minneapolis, and investigators are trying to establish how he
ingested fentanyl, with one theory being that he may have
accidentally taken the drug because it was not properly labeled.
Pills containing fentanyl were seized at his home, but they were
marked hydrocodone, the Star Tribune said, citing an unnamed
source. The source also told the newspaper that Prince did not
possess a prescription for fentanyl.
Among medications found in a dressing room, and in suitcases and
bags, was an Aleve bottle that contained pills stamped "Watson
385," which is used on hydrocodone-acetimonophen pills. But at
least one of those pills contained fentanyl, the Associated
Press reported, also citing an anonymous source with knowledge
of the investigation.
A spokeswoman for the medical examiner's office that has
investigated Prince's death did not confirm or deny the reports.
Fentanyl, which is often sold illegally and has caused an
epidemic of overdose deaths around the United States, is the
most potent narcotic known, 50 times stronger than heroin.
The megastar did not leave a will when he died unexpectedly at
age 57. A flood of individuals have tried to make claims on his
estate, which some have valued at more than $500 million. A
judge excluded 29 would-be heirs in July, bolstering the claims
of his sister and surviving half-siblings.
(Reporting by Fiona Ortiz; Editing by Alan Crosby)
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