It’s been seven hours and 13 days since we lost the greatest musician of his generation, we still don’t know how Prince died. But the fight over his legacy has already begun, starting with questions about who will control his goldmine of music. RIP, Prince. Nothing Compares 2 U.
1. On April 25, Prince’s hometown newspaper, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, reported that the investigation into Prince’s death was focused on his use of painkillers. A longtime attorney for two of Prince’s siblings told authorities that his clients told him over a decade ago that Prince had “substantial” drug problems, specifically with the opioid painkiller Percocet and cocaine.
2. Meanwhile, Prince’s former lawyer, L. Londell McMillan, dismissed “foolish” reports that Prince had overdosed the week before his death.
3. On April 26, Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson, reported that he did not have a will and asked to be named executor of his estate.
4. Also on April 26, members of Prince’s former band, the Revolution, announced plans to temporarily reunite. “We have decided, after spending three or four days together now grieving over the loss of Prince, that we would like to come out and do some shows,” Wendy Melvoin said.
5. On April 27, NBC News reported that Prince had prescription painkillers in his possession when he died.
6. Also on April 27, the National Enquirer reported that Prince died of AIDS. Legal experts told TheWrap that libel laws do not permit his estate to sue the publication.
7. On April 28, police disclosed that they had been called to Prince’s home, Paisley Park, 46 times in the five years before his death. The nature of most of the calls was not disclosed.
8. Also on April 28, a search warrant was issued for Paisley Park in the investigation into Prince’s death.
9. On April 29, Minneapolis-St. Paul ABC affiliate KSTP-TV reported that Bremer Trust, which has been appointed temporary administrator of Prince’s estate, drilled into his vault of unreleased music. Only Prince had the code to the vault.
10. On April 30, KSTP-TV reported that Prince had entered an outpatient treatment program seeking medical help for chronic hip pain and hoped to “move away from” medication he was using to treat the pain.
11. On May 1, the Associated Press quoted Prince’s chef saying that Prince was plagued by sore throats and stomach pains before his death. (He also said Prince liked to eat roasted beets and minestrone soup but preferred smoothies and fresh juices to soothe his throat and stomach.)
12. The claims to Prince’s estate have begun in earnest: A woman named Darcell Johnston stepped forward Sunday claiming she is a beneficiary in Prince’s probate case because she is the late musician’s long-lost half sister. Prince’s attorneys also asked a judge to dismiss a claim from a man who says Prince verbally promised him the rights to all his music, and his vault. They said the man’s claim was frivolous and that he is a pretender to the throne.
While the lawyers and authorities try to straighten these things out, why not enjoy some of Prince’s stunning performances in the YouTube videos fans have posted since his death?