Related Coverage Photos: Prince through the years
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A doctor who saw Prince in the days before he died had prescribed the opioid painkiller oxycodone under the name of Prince’s friend to protect the musician’s privacy, according to court documents unsealed Monday that revealed nothing about how the pop superstar got the fentanyl that actually killed him.
The affidavits and search warrants were unsealed in Carver County District Court as the yearlong investigation into Prince’s death continues. The documents show authorities searched Paisley Park, cellphone records of Prince’s associates, and Prince’s email accounts to try to determine how he got the fentanyl, a synthetic opioid drug 50 times more powerful than heroin.
They don’t reveal answers, but do shed light on Prince’s struggle with addiction to prescription opioids in the days before he died. Oxycodone, the generic name for the active ingredient in OxyContin, was not listed as a cause of Prince’s death. But it is part of a family of painkillers driving the nation’s overdose and addiction epidemic, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 2 million Americans abused or were addicted to prescription opioids, including oxycodone, in 2014.
Patients who take prescription opioids eventually build up a tolerance and need to take stronger doses to get the same effect. In some patients, the cycle leads to dependence and addiction.
Prince was 57 when he was found alone and unresponsive in an elevator at his Paisley Park home on April 21.
Just six days earlier, Prince fell ill on a plane and made an emergency stop in Illinois as he was returning home from a concert in Atlanta. First responders revived him with two doses of a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
A search of Prince’s home yielded numerous pills in various containers. Some were in prescription bottles for Kirk Johnson, Prince’s longtime friend and associate. Some pills in other bottles were marked “Watson 853,” a label used for a drug that is a mix of acetaminophen and hydrocodone, another opioid painkiller. Last August, an official with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press that at least one of those pills tested positive for fentanyl, meaning the pill was counterfeit and obtained illegally. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation.
In addition to the dozens of pills recovered, authorities also found a pamphlet for an addiction recovery center in California, the documents unsealed Monday show. The day before Prince died, Paisley Park staffers contacted the California addiction specialist as they were trying to get Prince help.
One affidavit says Dr. Michael Todd Schulenberg, a family doctor who saw Prince April 7, 2016, and again on April 20, acknowledged to authorities that he prescribed oxycodone for Prince the same day as the emergency plane landing “but put the prescription in Kirk Johnson’s name for Prince’s privacy.”
Authorities also searched Johnson’s cellphone records, to see who he was communicating with in the month before Prince died.
Messages left with attorneys for Schulenberg and Johnson weren’t immediately returned Monday. Schulenberg has an active medical license and is currently practicing family medicine in Minnesota. His attorney, Amy Conners, told the AP last week that there are no restrictions on his license.
Investigators haven’t interviewed either Johnson or Schulenberg since the hours after Prince died, an official with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.
While authorities have the power to ask a grand jury to investigate and issue subpoenas for testimony, that step hasn’t been taken, the official said.
Prince did not have a cellphone, and authorities searched multiple email accounts that belonged to him, as they tried to determine who he was communicating with and where he got the drugs that killed him, according to the search warrants. The search warrants don’t reveal the outcome of the email searches.
The documents say some of the drugs in Prince’s bedroom were in a suitcase with the name “Peter Bravestrong” on it. Police believe Bravestrong was an alias that Prince used when he traveled. The suitcase also contained lyrics for the song “U Got the Look” that appeared to be in Prince’s handwriting.
The day before Prince died, Paisley Park staffers contacted California addiction specialist Dr. Howard Kornfeld for help. Kornfeld sent his son, Andrew, to Minnesota that night, and the younger Kornfeld was among those who found Prince’s body.
Andrew Kornfeld was carrying buprenorphine, a medication that can be used to help treat opioid addiction. The Kornfelds’ attorney, William Mauzy, has said Andrew had intended to give the medication to a doctor who planned to see Prince on April 21.
Investigators have said little about the case over the last year, other than it is active. The official who spoke to the AP said the case has taken investigators to Illinois and California, as authorities have interviewed friends, family and any potential witnesses, including the flight crew and hospital staff that were present when Prince overdosed on the plane.
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Prince through the years View as list View as gallery Open Gallery FILE - In this April 10, 1997 file photo, Prince performs a medley of "Take Me With U" and "Rasberry Beret" at the 4th annual VH1 Honors in Universal City, Calif. Prince's publicist has confirmed that Prince died at his home in Minnesota, Thursday, April 21, 2016. He was 57. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) FILE - In this April 26, 2008 file photo, Prince performs during the second day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Prince's publicist has confirmed that Prince died at his his home in Minnesota, Thursday, April 21, 2016. He was 57. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File) FILE - In this Jan. 22, 1985 file photo, Prince performs in concert at Riverfront Coliseum during his Purple Rain Tour in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prince's publicist has confirmed that Prince died at his home in Minnesota, Thursday, April 21, 2016. He was 57. (AP Photo/Rob Burns, File) FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2010 file photo, musician Prince performs in Yas Island, on the final night of the F1 motor race meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Prince's publicist has confirmed that Prince died at his his home, Thursday, April 21, 2016. He was 57. (AP Photo/Nousha Salimi, File) American popstar Prince performing at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt, Germany during his Parade Tour, on August 26, 1986. (AP Photo) American popstar Prince performing at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt, Germany during his Parade Tour, on August 26, 1986. (AP Photo) U.S. pop singer Prince, left, watches the fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament between Spain's Rafael Nadal and Serbia's Dusan Lajovic at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Monday, June 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler) Prince presents the award for favorite album - soul/R&B at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2007 file photo, Prince plays his guitar during a press conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Fla. Prince's publicist has confirmed that Prince died at his home in Minnesota, Thursday, April 21, 2016. He was 57. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) FILE - In this Feb. 4, 2007 file photo, Prince performs during the halftime show at Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. Prince's publicist has confirmed that Prince died at his home in Minnesota, Thursday, April 21, 2016. He was 57. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File) FILE - In this Jan. 11, 1985 file photo, Prince performs before a sold-out audience, in Houston. Prince's publicist has confirmed that Prince died at his his home in Minnesota, Thursday, April 21, 2016. He was 57. (AP Photo/F. Carter Smith, File) In this Saturday evening, Aug. 6 2011 photo American singer and songwriter Prince performs on the Isle of Amager in Copenhagen, Denmark. The concert was the first of two and it was interupted by heavy rain. (AP Photo/Polfoto/Jakob Joergensen) DENMARK OUT Britain's Prince Charles talks with The Artist, formerly known as Prince, left, at the "Diamonds are Forever" celebration at Syon House, London Wednesday, June 9, 1999. The celebration was to include the unveiling of a multi-million dollar diamond jewelry collection, the first-ever Versace fashion show in Britain and a live performance by Jon Bon Jovi. The Artist's wife Mayte is at center. (AP Photo/Dave Hogan/pool) The artist formally known as Prince, silhouetted with his guitar in front of a large television screen, performs ?Holly River? at the ?4th annual VH1 Honors? on Thursday, April 10, 1997 in Universal City, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) American pop star Prince performing circa 1986. (AP Photo) The artist formally known as Prince, with the word "Slave" written across his face, belts out a tune from his new CD, "Chaos and Disorder," outside the studio of NBC-TV's "Today" show in New York's Rockefeller Plaza, Tuesday, July 9, 1996. The CD is scheduled for release on Wednesday, July 10. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) The artist formerly known as Prince give the media the "Okay" sign backstage at the 28th annual NAACP Image Awards ceremony Saturday Feb. 8, 1997 in Pasadena, Calif. This year's theme for the show is "Celebration of Family." (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Prince accepts the award for outstanding male artist at the 38th NAACP Image Awards, Friday, March 2, 2007, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/CHRIS CARLSON) In this Saturday evening, Aug. 6 2011 photo American singer and songwriter Prince performs on the Isle of Amager in Copenhagen, Denmark. The concert was the first of two and it was interupted by heavy rain. (AP Photo/Polfoto/Jakob Joergensen) DENMARK OUT Prince performs during the halftime show at Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Musician Prince performs on stage with singer Tamar during ABC's "Good Morning America" summer concert series in New York, Friday, June 16, 2006. (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen) FILE - In this Nov. 22, 2015 file photo, Prince presents the award for favorite album - soul/R&B at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Prince, widely acclaimed as one of the most inventive and influential musicians of his era with hits including "Little Red Corvette," ''Let's Go Crazy" and "When Doves Cry," was found dead at his home on Thursday, April 21, 2016, in suburban Minneapolis, according to his publicist. He was 57. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File) Singer Prince arrives with his wife Manuela Testolini for the 77th Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, in Los Angeles. Prince will be a presenter during the Oscars telecast. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) Recording artist Prince speaks during a news conference about his exclusive recording agreement between himself and Universal Records and his new single "Te Amo Corazon," Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Prince's new album "3121" will be his first with Universal Records with a scheduled release in 2006. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok) Recording artist Prince speaks during a news conference about his recording agreement between himself and Universal Records and his new single "Te Amo Corazon," Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Prince's new album "3121" will be his first with Universal Records with a scheduled release in 2006. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok) Rock singer Prince speaks at the American Music Awards,, Jan. 27, 1986 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) Rock star Prince is shown during his performance onstage during the telecast of the Grammy Awards, Feb. 27, 1985 in Los Angeles. He won or shared three awards, including Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals, with his band Revolution, for "Purple Rain"; Best Album of Original Score for TV or Movies, "Purple Rain"; and Prince took Writing Rhythm and Blues honors for "I Feel For You," recorded by Chaka Khan. (AP Photo/Liu Heung Shing) Prince performs during the halftime show at Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Pop vocalist Prince glances shyly toward the audience as he accepts an American Music Award for his single "When Doves Cry" during presentations at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Jan. 28, 1985. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac) Rock singer Prince performs at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., during his opening show, Feb. 18, 1985. (AP Photo/Liu Heung Shing) Rock singer Prince performs at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., during his opening show, Feb. 18, 1985. (AP Photo/Liu Heung Shing) Rock star Prince performs in concert before a sold-out audience at the Summit in Houston, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 11, 1985. This is his first of six shows in Houston. (AP Photo/F. Carter Smith) Prince performs at Madison Square Garden in New York City, August 2, 1986, with his band, The Revolution. (AP Photo/Mario Suriani) Prince performs with the New Power Generation at Radio City Music Hall in New York, March 23, 1993. He is touring again after a five year break. (AP Photo/ Paul Hurschmann) Singer Prince performs at the 1985 Grammys Award at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Feb. 26, 1985. (AP Photo) Prince in undated photos (Credit: Associated Press) In this Aug. 9, 2011 file photo, U.S. musician Prince performs during his concert at the Sziget Festival on the Shipyard Island, northern Budapest, Hungary. The enigmatic star flew into London on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, at the start of a still-evolving string of dates in support of forthcoming album "Plectrum Electrum," recorded with all-female trio 3RDEYEGIRL. (AP Photo/MTI, Balazs Mohai, File) AP. FILE - In this Feb. 4, 2007 file photo, Prince performs during the halftime show at the Super Bowl XLI football game at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)