News: Prince’s Autopsy Reveals Cause of Death

The results of Prince’s autopsy are in, and show he died of an overdose of fentanyl. The powerful opioid painkiller is up to 50 times more potent than heroin. The singer was was found dead April 21st at his Minneapolis-area estate.

There’s no word yet on whether Prince had a prescription for the Fetanyl. At least one friend has said he suffered from intense knee and hip pain from many years of stage performances.

Sources say the person who provided the drug illegally could face criminal charges. Although the death was formally ruled an accident, that merely signified that it was not intentional and in no way precludes prosecution. Read more on the story over at ABC.

Fentanyl is a synthetic drug that has legitimate medical uses. It is also partly responsible for a recent surge in overdose deaths in some parts of the country. Because of its risks, it is tightly controlled by the Food and Drug Administration, but much of it is manufactured illegally.

Pain patients who have built up a tolerance to other prescription painkillers, or who have become addicted, sometimes seek out stronger drugs such as heroin or fentanyl.