Entertainment
Associated Press

Prince reportedly treated for drug overdose

April 22, 2016
Mayte Garcia and Prince perform on stage on 'The Ultimate Live Experience' tour at Wembley Arena on March 4th, 1995

We have the latest on the death of pop legend Prince.

Prince was reportedly treated for a drugs overdose a few days before he died.

The 57-year-old singer - who was found dead in an elevator at his Paisley Park home was hospitalised on April 15 after being taken ill on his private jet, and though his representatives insisted he was battling the flu, "multiple sources" told TMZ that was not the case.

Prince's jet made an emergency landing in Moline, Illinois - just 48 minutes away from his Minnesota home - on the way back from a gig in Atlanta and, at the hospital there, doctors administered a "save shot", which is typically administered to counteract the effects of opiates.

And the insiders told the website doctors advised the reclusive singer to stay in hospital for 24 hours, but he left three hours after arriving and flew home after being told it was impossible for him to get a private room.

A source said the 'Little Red Corvette' hitmaker "was not doing well" when he left the facility.

While it has not yet been determined how the singer died, authorities in Minnesota are keen to obtain the hospital records from Moline to help their investigation into Prince's death.


A spokesperson for the star has not commented on the claims, BANG Showbiz reports.
 

12:20pm An autopsy is scheduled for later today to determine the cause of Prince's death.

11:45am  Flamboyant, expressive and larger than life despite his diminutive stature, Prince fit perfectly in Hollywood.

He won an Oscar, starred in a big-screen hit, wrote, directed, and composed memorable music for scores of film and TV productions.

11:20am Footage has emerged of Prince's last performance, a beautiful rendition of Purple Rain.

11:10am  Will Smith is the latest celebrity to pay tribute to his friend Prince.

"I am stunned and heartbroken," Smith wrote on Facebook following the news of Prince's death.

He said he spoke with him the night before he died.

"Jada and I mourn with all of you the loss of a beautiful poet, a true inspiration, and one of the most magnificent artists to ever grace this earth."

10am: Mayte Garcia has spoken to People Magazine about her grief at losing her former husband.

"I can't even think of the words of what I'm feeling," Garcia told People.

"This man was my everything, we had a family. I am deeply saddened and devastated."

The couple married in 1996 and had one son together who saddly died a week after he was born.

"He's with our son now," Garcia said.

9:40am : Prince's family have begun flying into Minnesota following his shock death.

The You Got The Look singer was found dead at his Paisley Park recording studio this morning, and though he was recently hospitalised with flu, his passing reportedly left his relatives blindsided.

An insider told RadarOnline.com that family members have begun gathering at his mother Mattie Shaw's home in the state, with relatives flying in from across the country to support one another in their grief and also to plan funeral services for the Purple Rain hitmaker.

8:45am  Fans of music superstar Prince are gathering outside the downtown Minneapolis nightclub where much of the movie Purple Rain was filmed.

About 50 to 60 people were standing on the sidewalk outside First Avenue on afternoon to mourn the death of the musician, who died hours earlier Prince received an Academy Award in 1985 for his music from Purple Rain, the movie in which he starred as a young musician.

8:20am  President Barack Obama is lamenting the loss of a "creative icon" with the death of rock superstar Prince.

In a statement, the president called Prince "one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time."

Obama also said "nobody's spirit was stronger, bolder or more creative" than Prince's.

8:05am Prince visited a pharmacy four times this week.

The Purple Rain singer - who was found dead at his Paisley Park compound in Minnesota this morning - made his last visit to a local Walgreens at around 7pm last night, and insiders told TMZ staff were concerned because the iconic star looked "much more frail and nervous" than usual.

Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson said deputies responded to a medical call about 9:43 am (local time) Medical personnel tried CPR, but couldn't revive the 57-year-old Prince, who was pronounced dead at 10:07am (local time).

The sheriff's brief statement said the death was under investigation and provided no other details.

Kimbra has tweeted her grief on hearing about the death of her musical idol Prince.

Prince presented a Grammy to the Kimbra and singer Gotye during the 2013 music awards show.

<>"Please tell me this is not happening" the singer tweeted.

Prince admitted during the Grammy Awards he "loved" Kimbra and Gotye's song Somebody That I Use To Know.

6:50am "Wait a few days before you waste any prayers." Those were the last words Prince spoke to his fans last weekend during an appearance at a dance party.

He said he wanted fans to have "living proof" he was alive after he was rushed to hospital the day before.

6:30am   Reaction is pouring in from fans and celebrities following the death of music superstar Prince.

Many celebrities took to Twitter to express their sadness. Basketball star Magic Johnson wrote that he was "so devastated by the passing of my good friend Prince."

Director Spike Lee remembered Prince as "A Funny Cat" with a "Great Sense of Humour." 

6:15am The emergency dispatch call from Prince's home for a "male down, not breathing" has been released by entertainment media site TMZ.

The singer's death comes only a week after he was rushed to hospital following his private jet making emergency landing in Illinois.

Appearing at a concert the next day, Prince told fans he was just battling the flu.

SHARE ME

More Stories