Pop superstar Prince was found dead in his Minnesota home on Thursday amid reports of failing health. An autopsy was scheduled.
Publicist
Yvette Noel-Schure confirmed the 57-year-old's death to The Associated Press after reports swirled online that a person had been found dead at the Chanhassen estate.
Authorities originally declined to
identify the person, according to CNN.
"We are not releasing any information regarding the identity of the person who died until next of kin is notified," Carver County Sheriff spokesman Jason Kamerud told the news site.
TMZ reported that multiple sources confirmed the death of the singer, who reportedly suffered a medical emergency last week.
According to the New York Post, Prince's private jet was forced to make an emergency landing in Illinois on April 15 after a performance in Atlanta, and he was briefly hospitalized.
"He appeared at a concert the next day to assure his fans he was okay. His people told TMZ he was battling the flu," TMZ wrote.
The "Purple Rain" singer and cultural icon was born Prince Rogers Nelson and made headlines in 1993 when he changed his name to a symbol.