The two-year investigation into the death of Prince has been finally closed without issuing any criminal charges. Carver County Attorney Mark Metz announced the news Thursday.
Metz said county, state and federal investigators undertook an “extensive, painstaking and thorough” investigation but were unable to determine who provided Prince the fentanyl painkillers, disguised as counterfeit prescription medication that killed the iconic musician on April 21, 2016.
Prince died of an accidental fentanyl overdose after taking counterfeit Vicodin pills that were laced with fentanyl, Metz said. “Prince had no idea he was taking a counterfeit pill that could kill him,” the attorney said, according to Star Tribune. Unfortunately, there is no evidence showing how the superstar was able to obtain those counterfeit pills and no evidence that those around him knew the fact. Because of that, there will be no criminal charges filed in the case.
Fentanyl is a powerful painkiller about 30 to 50 times stronger than heroin. The announcement today comes nearly two years after Prince was found unresponsive in an elevator at Paisley Park, his home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He was 57.
In related news, Prince’s estate, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Records, has released the original version of his iconic song ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’. The previously unreleased recording comes accompanied with a new video featuring unseen rehearsal footage of Prince & The Revolution.
Prince composed and wrote the song which later became a hit song for Sinéad O’Connor. But Prince kept performing his version during shows. Beginning today, the original version of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ is available for the first time via digital retailers. It will also be released on 7-inch vinyl, including on a limited-edition picture disc, on May 25th. You can pre-order it here. Watch it below.