Prosecutors in Minnesota have agreed to share documents linked to the criminal investigation surrounding Prince's death with his siblings, so they can consider taking civil action.
Attorneys for the Purple Rain icon's relatives recently asked to view data from the ongoing case to help them determine whether or not to file a wrongful death lawsuit against those responsible for providing the singer with the painkiller fentanyl, which led to his accidental overdose in April, 2016.
Authorities in Carver County initially fought the motion, insisting all law enforcement information is confidential while an investigation is ongoing, but now the two parties have reached a deal regarding the medical examiner's autopsy filing.
According to court papers lodged on Wednesday (21Mar18), Prince's family members and their legal representatives must keep all findings confidential - or face contempt of court charges. They now face a race to examine the paperwork as the statute of limitations in some of these kinds of civil cases is only two years.
"That's why we need the records," explained the siblings' attorney John Goetz. "They should give us some guidance on who might be culpable in his death."
Goetz told The Associated Press a similar agreement for the rest of the investigation documents is expected next week (begs26Mar18).
"We're very pleased we can finally get all the facts and determine what claims we might be able to pursue for our clients for the loss of their brother," he said.
Detectives in charge of the case found a number of prescription pill containers in other people's names at Prince's Paisley Park home, where he was found dead in an elevator.
The singer was known to have been suffering from a longtime hip problem, but did not have any known prescriptions for fentanyl issued to him leading up to his untimely passing.
