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Prince Had Percocet in His System When He Died, According to Leaked Autopsy Details

Local news reports cited sources close to the investigation who said that the painkiller was found in the pop star's system at the time of his death.
Foto di Scott Penner, via Flickr

Music superstar Prince's autopsy found the painkiller Percocet in his system, the Minneapolis Star Tribune and KSTP-TV reported on Thursday, citing sources close to the investigation.

Prince also had a dangerously low red blood cell count, indicating he had been ill, Minneapolis ABC affiliate KSTP-TV said, citing two unnamed law enforcement officials.

A spokeswoman for the local medical examiner's office that conducted a post-mortem examination of Prince declined to confirm the reports.

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The cause of Prince's death remained undetermined. The medical examiner's office said in late April the autopsy and toxicology results could take weeks.

The news reports came after federal authorities said on Wednesday they were joining the investigation into Prince's death.

Related: DEA and Federal Prosecutors Join Prince Death Inquiry, Adding to Painkiller Speculation

The Drug Enforcement Administration and US Attorney's office in Minnesota will bring federal resources to the local investigation and expertise on the illegal use and trafficking of prescription drugs, the US Attorney's office said.

Also on Wednesday, a lawyer for a California addiction doctor said Prince's representatives had contacted the doctor the evening before his death, adding that the doctor had planned to visit Prince for a "life-saving mission."

The 57-year-old Prince was found dead on April 21 at his Paisley Park home-studio complex in a Minneapolis suburb. Prescription opioid medication was found at the scene, a law enforcement source told Reuters.

Dr. Howard Kornfeld, who runs Recovery Without Walls, a clinic in Mill Valley, California, planned to fly to Minnesota on April 22, his lawyer William Mauzy said. In the meantime, his son, Andrew Kornfeld, a clinic staff member, traveled to Minnesota on April 21 for an initial discussion.

When Andrew Kornfeld arrived at Paisley Park, Prince was not available, Mauzy said. A staff member found the artist unconscious in an elevator, and Kornfeld called 911. He was interviewed by Carver County sheriff's officials later that morning and returned to California that night, the attorney said.

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Related: As the US Is Awash in Painkillers, the Developing World Is in Dire Need of Them

Medication used in pain management and addiction were found in Andrew Kornfeld's backpack on the scene, Mauzy said, including the drug buprenorphine, which reduces opioid cravings. Mauzy emphasized that no pills or medication were administered to Prince by the doctor or his son.

Mauzy said he is concerned that officials may charge Andrew Kornfeld, but he believes a good Samaritan law will give him immunity. Mauzy did not elaborate on possible charges and did not respond to a request for comment.

Prince's cause of death remains undetermined and it could be weeks before results are released from an autopsy. Police have said they found no signs of suicide or obvious trauma in Prince's death.

Prince's reps have said the singer had a nasty case of the flu, and medical experts previously told VICE News that painkillers could have worsened his condition.

Follow VICE News on Twitter: @vicenews

Photo via Flickr