Prince Update: Autopsy, Sales Surge, SNL, Purple Rain

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SNL: Goodnight Sweet Prince (via NBC.com)

Two days after the surprising death of Prince, he continues to be a significant presence in the news cycle. We’ve got news about Friday’s autopsy, the surge in his album sales, a SNL special and the return to theaters of his smash feature film.

Prince Tributes Pour in From Around the Globe

Here’s a wrap-up of stories of interest today (4/23):

Autopsy Completed: The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Ramsey, MN announced that it completed its autopsy on Prince Rogers Nelson at 1 PM local time on Friday (4/22) and would be releasing his body to his family. No cause of death was released and an answer may take a while.

The autopsy on Prince Rogers Nelson completed at 1:00 pm CDT. Results are pending. Body will be released to family. pic.twitter.com/mr5dzHO3WX

— Midwest Medical Exam (@MidwestMedExam) April 22, 2016

Painkillers The Culprit? As noted above, how Prince died remains an unanswered question. Reports say that his emergency hospital stop in Moline, IL last week – following back-to-back concerts in Atlanta – for a “save shot” was to counteract an overdose of Percocet. It is speculated that he was medicated to relieve pain from his hips. Doctors reportedly advised him to have a double hip replacement a few years ago, but Prince was reluctant to undergo the surgery as it requires a blood transfusion, a medical procedure that is forbidden by the tenets of his faith as a Jehovah’s Witness.

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Sales Surge: As often happens when a performer dies, the public rushes to purchase his/her music. The just-released sales from Friday (4/22) show Prince accounted for seven of the Top 13 best-selling albums in the U.S. and eight of the Top 20.

Chart courtesy of Street Pulse. © 2016 Bean Stream, Inc.

Prince Revealed His Genius in 1981 Interview

SNL Tribute: Saturday Night Live will devote its entire show this evening (4/23) to a special: SNL: Goodnight Sweet Prince, with clips from his previous performances on the sketch comedy show. Prince was the SNL musical guest three times; his first occasion was in 1981.

Purple Rain Returns to Theaters: The 1984 feature film will run on the big screen, beginning today. Here are links for schedules: Carmike and AMC.

AXS TV Offers Special Prince Programming