Prince Death: Autopsy Friday as Fans Mourn Music Legend
Posted: Apr 22, 2016 12:28 PM CDT
(CNN)A day after Prince's death stunned his fans and fellow musicians, the work of finding out why the music icon died begins in earnest Friday.
An autopsy was scheduled Friday morning at the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office in Ramsey, Minnesota, but it could be days or weeks before results are complete, the agency said.
In the meantime, the agency said it "will not release information until the exam is complete and all results are obtained."
Prince, whose full name was Prince Rogers Nelson, died Thursday at age 57. He was found unresponsive in an elevator at his studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota.
Paramedics tried to perform CPR but were unable to revive him, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at 10:07 a.m., less than 30 minutes after sheriff's deputies responded to a medical call at the scene.
An outpouring of grief followed as fans paid tribute to the singer who masterfully blended rock, R&B, jazz, funk and pop.
In his home state of Minnesota, where he was a favorite native son, they wanted to remember Prince. And they did it in a way he probably would have approved of: They danced.
Tears fell freely as they blasted hits such as "Nothing Compares 2 U" and held impromptu dance parties decked out in Prince gear.
A sea of people in purple outfits lined the streets with purple flowers and stuffed animals.
"When I heard (the news of his death), it was like the finality of a giant chapter of my life knowing that there would be no more music," said Allison Werthmann-Radnich, who choked up on the streets of Minneapolis.
"Memories of Prince and his music are the background and cornerstone of pretty much every important event in my life. Prom, weddings, New Year's Eve celebrations, concerts at First Avenue and 7th Street Avenue."
She said she looked up to him for refusing to compromise his artistic integrity.
" And he had success because of it," she said.
In Minneapolis, crowds ranged in age from their 20s to their 80s. They sang, embraced and talked about how Prince showed the music industry you don't need to be from the East or West Coast to make it big.