Advertisement

Judge orders DNA analysis for Prince citing possible 'parentage' issues

By Doug G. Ware
Prince acknowledges the audience as he accepts the Lifetime Achievement award at the 2010 BET Awards in 2010. A judge ordered Friday that a DNA sample be taken from the singer's body out of concerns for potential future "parentage" claims against his estate. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Prince acknowledges the audience as he accepts the Lifetime Achievement award at the 2010 BET Awards in 2010. A judge ordered Friday that a DNA sample be taken from the singer's body out of concerns for potential future "parentage" claims against his estate. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

MINNEAPOLIS, May 6 (UPI) -- A judge on Friday ordered officials to retrieve a DNA sample from Prince's body as part of the ongoing investigation -- specifically, for any potential "parentage" issues that might come up in the future.

Carver County, Minn., District Judge Kevin Eide, who is overseeing the settlement of Prince's estate, ordered that a blood sample be taken from the late singer's body "for any purpose relevant to the administration of the Estate."

Advertisement

The judge didn't cite any specific example but said such a claim may arise in the future and that "timing can be a concern when conducting genetic testing."

RELATED UPI Photos - Prince in photos: 1958-2016

Prince Rogers Nelson died on April 21 at his home in suburban Minneapolis. The investigation into his death and toxicology results have yet to be completed. In recent days, news media have cited sources close to the singer in reporting that Prince appears to have suffered from an acute dependence on opioid painkillers.

The court's decision is likely a move to head off any future claims against the singer, such as claims of being an heir to Prince's vast estate.

Advertisement

The decision came on the same day a Georgia woman filed a claim, asking for billions that stem from compensation she claims she has been owed for three decades. Eide previously dismissed a suit from a California man who claimed he had rights to the singer's musical properties.

Latest Headlines