Prince Died Of Opioid Overdose, Officials Say

Rock legend Prince died after taking fentanyl, an opioid pain-killer that is highly addictive, the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Thursday afternoon.

Prince was found dead on April 21, and an investigation into his death had been ongoing.

Several news outlets reported at the time of his death that he had been given a shot of Narcane, a "save shot" for people suspected of painkiller overdose.

The report from the examiner's office listed the cause of death as simply: "Fentanyl toxicity" and said he had "self-administered" the powerful drug. The report said the exact date of his death was unknown.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that fentanyl "is a synthetic opioid pain reliever, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain."

"It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges and can be diverted for misuse and abuse in the United States."

The Associated Press, citing an unnamed "law-enforcement official," first broke the news Thursday morning. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported the same thing later in the day, citing "a source with knowledge of the megastar’s death investigation."

• Read more from the Associated Press here.
• Read more from the Minneapolis Star Tribune here.

This story will be updated.