Federal authorities have decided to help out in investigating Prince's death. The U.S. Attorney's Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will join the Carver County Sheriff's office for the ongoing investigation.
"The DEA and U.S. Attorney's Office are able to augment this local investigation with federal resources and expertise about prescription drug diversion," a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office told ABC News. Based on recent findings, prescription drug addiction might be a factor in Prince's death.
Happening Now: News conference on Prince's opioid use. Watch live: https://t.co/TIK0Kr5svA https://t.co/4ee8r2X2A0
— CNN (@CNN) May 4, 2016
However, local authorities believe that the involvement of federal authorities in investigating Prince's death is because of relevant incidents that happened in other states that are not under the jurisdiction of the Carver County Sheriff. One of which is Prince's emergency landing in Illinois, one week before he died.
Prince's bassist, Larry Graham, told the Associated Press via ABC News that he saw Prince three days before his death. He described the legendary musician as "pretty normal" besides recovering from a cold.
'Let's Go Crazy' in Minneapolis. A hometown tribute to @prince #OneOnOne https://t.co/I0NDZKbxaO — Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) May 5, 2016
Prince's death happened on April 21, when he was found unconscious in an elevator of his Paisley Park estate. Prince was supposed to meet with Andrew Kornfeld --- son of opioid addiction expert Dr. Howard Kornfeld, according to CNN.
Michael B. Padden -- a former attorney of Prince's deceased siblings --- said that the "Purple Rain" singer was addicted to opioid decades before his death. However, Padden also said that Prince started to use opioid, not for recreation but to help him deal with pain and discomfort after performing.
