In April 2016, at the age of 57, Prince Rogers Nelson died of “accidental fentanyl overdose” at his home and recording studio in Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

The musical genius has struggled with a painful secret, unbeknownst to his fans and even his closest friends.

Overwhelming evidence indicates that Prince was plagued with an addiction to painkillers in the later years of his life.

For the rest of the world, the pop sensation felt more vibrant than ever and was in control until the very end.

But looking back at the tragic events of what would have been his 64th birthday, it was actually a completely different story for Prince.



It is unclear when the singer began taking opioids and whether his close circles in show business were aware of his growing addiction, which was reportedly centered on cocaine and Percocet in the early 2000s.

Close friends and family have previously suggested that his drug use may have been in response to a serious hip problem he developed later in life.

The first sign that something was wrong came when Prince’s private plane made an emergency landing in Illinois on April 15 as it flew home from a concert in Atlanta.

Reports suggest that the star overdosed on Percocet and was escorted out of the plane by a bodyguard before receiving the injection of the overdose drug.



It was the first time the singer had accidentally overdosed, but sadly it won’t be the last, as in April 2016 he was found unconscious in an elevator on the luxurious platform he calls home.

After his unexpected and untimely death, reports showed he died from a fentanyl overdose; a synthetic opioid apparently 50 times more potent than heroin.

A specific confidential toxicology report indicates the amount of fentanyl in the singer’s system when he died.

The report states that Prince’s fentanyl blood level was 67.8 micrograms per liter, while it has been documented in people with blood levels ranging from three to 58 micrograms per liter.



The staggering numbers also shed light on the sheer levels of the drug that entered the “Purple Rain” singer’s liver.

Statistically, 450 micrograms per kilogram were found in her vital organ, with liver levels above 69 micrograms per kilogram representing cases of overdose or fatal toxicity.

While it is said that there is no fixed dose at which fentanyl can kill a person, Prince has reportedly drank many other types of pain relievers and prescription drugs.

A year after her shocking death, it was revealed that authorities had found numerous pills in various bins around the star’s home.



The autopsy was performed the day after Prince’s body was discovered and what was discovered horrified his fans around the world.

When its frail and rather fragile body was examined after death, the star was only 5 feet 3 inches tall.

Prince weighed only 112 pounds (eight stones) and his body was found with numerous scars on his skin.

Her hips and legs were riddled with mysterious spots, but that could be because the star underwent surgery for her hip problems.



Autopsy reports state that “there were no obvious signs of trauma” in Prince’s body and suicide was ruled out from the start.

Prince had always maintained a healthy lifestyle, which meant that some close friends were stunned to find that he had been secretly feeding and battling this drug addiction for years.

In the days leading up to her death, the star allegedly suffered from a severe case of the flu and pneumonia, but apparently that was nothing new to ill health.

In 2009, a friend said: “He suffers a lot. He takes painkillers and hopes it will all go away. “



Unfortunately, seven years later, those painkillers would become the thing that would end his life.

The pop sensationalist’s body was returned to his family on Friday April 22, the day after his discovery, and a private memorial service and cremation was held in Paisley Park on Saturday, April 23.

Only close friends and family attended, and a close family friend of the time spoke of the tragedy that shook the world.

“He just wanted to leave without problems, without drama, without fanfare.”

Fans gathered outside Paisley Park, and some received purple boxes containing tour brochures and t-shirts, among other Prince memorabilia.



There was another memorial at the Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles on May 11, 2016, and the event brought together famous friends and fans of Prince, including Spike Lee, Nile Rodgers, Janelle Monáe, Gwen Stefani and Dita Von Teese.

Guitar virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist known for his genre-crossing work, expansive vocals and flamboyant stage appearances, Prince is still regarded as one of the most influential musicians in music history.

His groundbreaking music incorporated a wide variety of styles, including funk, R&B and pop, and has influenced some of the best artists in today’s music industry.

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