Prince Toxicology Report Shows Singer Had ‘Exceedingly High’ Fentanyl Levels When He Died

A toxicology report obtained by the press reveals that Prince had an "exceedingly high" dose of fentanyl in his body at the time of his death.

Fentanyl Overdose

The drug, a known opioid, is used to help patients manage "severe pain," especially those who have been diagnosed with cancer. Fentanyl is believed to be 50 times more powerful than heroin.

About six weeks after the singer was found unresponsive inside an elevator in his estate in Paisley Park in Minnesota, public documents revealed that Prince died of an "accidental drug overdose." However, a confidential toxicology report that was first reported by Associated Press shows how much fentanyl was in his system.

"The amount in his blood is exceedingly high, even for somebody who is a chronic pain patient on fentanyl patches," explained Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Chairman of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Lewis Nelson.

The publication further detailed that the amount of fentanyl concentration in the singer's body reached 67.8 micrograms per liter. His liver alone had 450 micrograms per kilogram.

The toxicology report notes that the documented fatalities of fentanyl overdose range from three to 58 micrograms per liter of blood. Fentanyl concentration greater than 69 micrograms per kilogram is a clear indication of fatal toxicity.

In addition, toxicologists also found traces of the drug in his stomach which suggests that the "Purple Rain" singer took the drug orally.

Fentanyl Addiction

Prince's final years were plagued with rumors of chronic pain and drug addiction. At the time of his death, first responders found several pills bottles, including acetaminophen-hydrocodone which is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and coughs, numerous narcotic controlled substance pills and vitamins.

Investigators were made aware that the singer had a history of "going through withdrawals, which are believed to be the result of the abuse of prescription medication," reported BBC.

A day before his death, his staff called Dr. Howard Kornfeld, an opioid addiction specialist, to help in a "medical emergency." Kornfeld runs Recovery Without Walls, a drug and alcohol rehab based in California.

Six days before his death, following two live performances in Atlanta, Prince's private plane made an emergency landing in Illinois. People with knowledge of the event claimed that the unforeseen stop was because the singer was overdosing on opioids.

Paramedics attended to him at the airport and gave him shots of Narcan, an opioid antidote. He was then taken to the hospital, but he immediately left.

At the time, a representative of the musician told the press that the "I Wanna Be Your Lover" singer was simply battling a bad case of flu.

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