A look into the Prince death investigation case file
CHANHASSEN, Minn. (KMSP) - Newly released images from the investigation file on Prince’s death are painting a clearer picture of the music icon’s tragic passing.
Among the files include dash camera videos of the first squad cars on scene, scenes from inside his home, phone call statements and more.
In this massive data dump, investigators released videos of Prince's body lying in front of his elevator. Out of sensitivity, Fox 9 is only showing his hand after he died from an overdose of fentanyl.
So many questions remain unanswered, regarding the source of the counterfeit Vicodin laced with fentanyl believed to have caused his death.
An evidence list shows all the different pills Prince had in bottles, apparently scattered around Paisley Park. Images of narcotics were also taken at the scene.
A trusted friend and bodyguard, Chris Gaither, explained on the phone with law enforcement that he thinks Prince was portrayed unfairly in the media as a drug addict.
“I never saw any signs of any addiction and I know what an addict looks like,” said Gaither.
Text messages between Prince’s long-time personal assistant, Kirk Johnson, and his doctor, Michael Schulenberg, give a deeper look into possible health issues Prince may have been experiencing.
In one exchange, Schulenberg texted, "He just doesn't look really well." In another, Johnson texts back, "Dr. Mike, are we able to come in earlier. Prince is asking for fluids."
The day before he died, Prince is seen walking in with Johnson to Dr. Schulenberg's office, the last video where we see Prince alive.
Schulenberg had recently prescribed Prince Percocet using Johnson's name as a cover, but Carver County officials said it played no role in his death. Schulenberg agreed to pay a $30,000 fine for that violation.
Court documents obtained by Fox 9 reveal an interview Schulenberg had with detectives where he says, "It's not my mission in life to be a doctor of the stars."
It's clear from these files, detectives were trying to look for any foul play in Prince's death.
They went through every square inch of Paisley Park. For the first time, we're seeing prince's enormous vault of music, where there's enough unreleased music for years to come.
As of now, the criminal investigation is closed, but a lot of questions for Carver County investigators linger since they did not take questions at the press conference.