Trashy US tabloid claims Prince ‘died of AIDS’
US supermarket tabloid the National Enquirer has published claims that music legend Prince died from AIDS.
The Purple Rain singer died last week at the age of 57. of indeterminate causes. The musician had earlier this month cancelled performances due to illness.
However, the gutter rag – which is known for publishing spurious and often un-sourced claims about celebrities.
It published an edition in the US this week claiming that “AIDS killed Prince” and declaring his autopsy a “cover up”.
The story claims that “close friends” told them the singer was diagnosed with HIV back in the 1990s – and developed Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) last year.
It continues to claim that the singer became addicted to opiate medication in order to manage pain, amid reports that painkillers were found in his home.
The singer’s former manager has strongly denied the claims – but the story has been repeated by a number of mainstream media outlets.
The National Enquirer has previously published claims that Caitlyn Jenner plans to ‘de-transition’ and live as a man, and false claims that Neil Patrick Harris has ‘broken up’ with his partner… weeks before they tied the knot.
It has also repeatedly prophecised the death of Cher – claiming for several years that the singer’s death is imminent.
Prince performed at the 2007 Superbowl, won seven Grammys, and sold more than 100 million records.
Prince’s score for Purple Rain in 1985 won an Oscar for Best Original Score.
