Chanhassen, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Carver County Sheriff’s Department released a statement Thursday afternoon concerning the death of one of Minnesota’s most famous citizens.

Deputies responded to a medical call at the Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassan at 9:43 a.m. Thursday morning and found an unresponsive man in an elevator inside the complex. Officials say First Responders administered CPR, but efforts to resuscitate the individual were unsuccessful and the man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 10 a.m.

His publicist soon confirmed the deceased man was Prince Nelson, the world-famous owner of the world-famous recording studio. The artist, better known as simply Prince, had died at the age of 57. The cause of his death remains under investigation.

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photo courtesy Minnesota News Network
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As the news of his passing quickly spread throughout Minnesota and the rest of the world, fans of the popular musician began to gather outside the Paisley Park property and makeshift memorials were assembled. Governor Mark Dayton released a statement a few hours after Prince’s death,

“Prince, and his music, defined an era. His tremendous talent was matched only by his generosity and commitment to improving his community. Minnesotans and our nation mourn the loss of a great artist today; one who has left an unforgettable mark on music history, and whose contributions to the betterment of our state will be remembered for years to come.”

Prince helped make Minnesota a recording industry “hotspot” in the 1980’s and 1990’s, with his music defining the so-called “Minneapolis sound” that proved popular on the airwaves and in record stores around the world. Perhaps his most famous work was 'Purple Rain,' an iconic music album that was adapted into a semi-autobiographical hit movie that was filmed in Minnesota and featured Prince in the starring role.

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