NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Investigators look at OD in Prince death

MINNEAPOLIS

Investigators are looking into whether Prince died from a drug overdose and whether a doctor was prescribing him drugs in the weeks before he was found dead at his home in suburban Minneapolis, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The official said that among the things investigators are looking at is whether a doctor was on a plane that made an emergency landing in Illinois less than a week before Prince died.

The law-enforcement official has been briefed on the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The official said investigators also are looking into what kind of drugs were on the plane and at his house in suburban Minneapolis.

The official also confirmed some details that previously have been reported by other media outlets, including TMZ.

Prince’s plane made an emergency stop in Moline, Ill., and he was found unconscious on the plane, the official said. The person said first-responders gave Prince a shot of narcan, which is used in suspected opioid overdoses. The official said the shot was given when the plane was on the runway in Moline, as Prince returned to Minneapolis after a performance in Atlanta.

The official said investigators are looking at whether Prince overdosed on the plane and whether an overdose killed him, and at what kind of drugs were involved.

Prince died April 21. An autopsy has been performed, but results weren’t expected for three to four weeks. The search warrant for Prince’s Paisley Park home and studio – carried out the day of his death – was filed Thursday under seal at the request of investigators who said it would hamper their investigation if the contents were public.

Comcast buying DreamWorks for about $3.55 billion

NEW YORK

Comcast is buying DreamWorks Animation, the film company behind the “Shrek,” “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda” franchises, for approximately $3.55 billion, strengthening its presence in the important and growing business of children’s entertainment.

DreamWorks stockholders will receive $41 for each share they own. That’s a 24 percent premium to the company’s Wednesday closing price of $32.20. The companies put the deal’s value at about $3.8 billion.

DreamWorks will become part of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, which includes Universal Pictures. The studio has churned out hit animated movies through its Illumination label, including the “Minions” sequel, and it has some Dr. Seuss projects in the works.

Whitney Houston doc in the works from Oscar-winner Macdonald

LOS ANGELES

An official Whitney Houston documentary is in the works from Oscar-winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald. It will be the first to be authorized by the late pop superstar’s estate since her death in 2012 at age 48. Altitude Film Entertainment announced the project Thursday.

The announcement says that film will feature unprecedented access to those closest to Houston, including an interview with Arista Records founder and president Clive Davis, in examining both the professional heights and personal depths of Houston’s tumultuous life.

Associated Press