He was apparently given a "save shot" in hospital last week
As tributes flow in from the startling news of 57-year-old music icon Prince's passing this morning, TMZ and many other sources report that Prince's condition may have been worse recently than his representatives let on.
Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter
TMZ are reporting that Prince was treated for a drug overdose six days ago when his private plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Illinois, just 48 minutes from his home in Minnesota.
Prince was reportedly given a "save shot" to counteract the effects of an opiate in the system, with Prince recommended to stay in hospital for 24 hours. Sources tell TMZ that the team were denied a private room and "decided to bail" just three hours later, with Prince reportedly "not doing well" as he left.
Representatives told the media that Prince was battling the flu, and had been for a few weeks. It has been suggested that Prince made an appearance at a party in Minnesota just the day after he returned home to stave off reports of his ill health.
News Limited reports that when the singer was found unconscious in the lift at 9.43am, paramedics were called to treat a "male down not breathing". CPR was administered at 9.49am but Prince was pronounced dead at 10.07am.
This image is said to be taken at Prince's last public appearance.