A longtime confidant of Prince has spoken for the first time, but only to tell reporters that he's "heartbroken" and wants privacy.

According to the Associated Press, Kirk Johnson, a longtime friend and occasional drummer for the fallen musician, had refused to comment on Prince's death until he issued a statement through his attorney on Thursday (May 19). Johnson, who also served as the best man at Prince's first wedding, was the estate manager at Paisley Park, where he was found dead on April 21. Apparently, he was among the three people to discover the late singer's body in the elevator.

A search warrant said Johnson told investigators of a previous visit by Prince to a medical center for an unspecified illness in 2014 or 2015. Additionally, The Minneapolis Star Tribune cited an unidentified source with knowledge of the investigation who said that Johnson recommended the doctor who was seeing Prince in the weeks before his death.

Prince's death remains under investigation.

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