Minnesota Judge Authorizes Prince’s Blood to Be DNA Tested to Confirm Late Singer’s Heirs
A Minnesota judge has authorized Prince‘s blood to undergo DNA testing in order to confirm or deny the stories of any people who may come forward claiming to be one of his heirs, the Associated Press reports.
On Friday, Carver County District Judge Kevin Eide granted a request by Bremer Trust, the administrator of Prince’s estate, to send a sample of Prince’s blood to DNA Diagnostics Center in Ohio to be genetically tested.
Eide said in his order that the testing was necessary because “parentage issues might arise” as Prince’s assets are distributed.
Prince was cremated shortly after his death but a Minnesota medical examiner tells PEOPLE that they often save blood samples during an autopsy and those samples may be used for the judge’s request.
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Eide released a second order on Friday that gives anybody claiming to be one of Prince’s heirs four months to file this claim with the court or Bremer Trust.
The Purple Rain singer died on April 21 and did not leave behind a will for the distribution of his estate, which is estimated to be worth $300 million. The pop star’s cause of death still has yet to be determined.
Prince’s family released a statement Friday revealing that he has not yet been laid to rest.
“We would like everyone to know that, contrary to previous and current reports, there has been no memorial, funeral or tribute service for Prince that was organized or authorized by the family or Paisley Park representatives,” the statement read. “Together, the family is planning an official memorial service and public event to take place in the near future.”
