Prince Death Investigation Expanded, He Planned Treatment

Two federal agencies have joined the investigation into Prince's death and it was also revealed that the legendary music star was scheduled to meet with an opioid addiction specialist the day after his death.

A U.S. Attorney's Office spokesperson confirmed that they and the Drug Enforcement Agency have joined the Carver County Sheriff's investigation to help look into the "drug diversion" aspects of the case.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services defines "Drug Diversion" as "the diversion of licit drugs for illicit purposes. It involves the diversion of drugs from legal and medically necessary uses towards uses that are illegal and typically not medically authorized or necessary."

The U.S. Attorney's Office spokesperson said, "The DEA and US Attorney's Office are able to augment this local investigation with federal resources and expertise about prescription drug diversion. While this remains an ongoing investigation, we will have no further comment."

The news of the federal involvement comes as it was revealed that on the day prior to his death, Prince's representatives had contacted the addition specialist Dr. Howard Kornfield to seek confidential emergency addiction treatment, according to Radio.com.

According to the report, Kornfield's attorney William Mauzy (via the Star Tribune) says that the doctor, who is based in California, was scheduled to meet with Prince on April 22nd (the day after his death) to devise a treatment plan. "The doctor was planning on a lifesaving mission," says Mauzy. Read the report for more details, here.

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