Celebrity News April 23, 2016
Full Details on Prince's Memorial Service
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Family and close friends of the late music legend Prince gathered in Minneapolis on Saturday for a private memorial service, reports Variety.
Us Weekly notes that musician Sheila E. was among the intimate friends present at the Paisley Park service, as were Damaris Lewis, bassist Larry Graham, and Prince's sister Tyka Nelson with her husband Maurice Phillips. The memorial was limited to about 20 people.
Tyka reportedly handed out memorabilia in purple boxes to fans gathered around the estate.
Tyka, who could inherit her brother's $300 million estate, also emerged to tell assembled fans, "Thank you. Thank you for lovin' him. Thank you." Watch the video:
A publicist for Prince, industry veteran Yvette Noel-Schure who has worked for Beyoncé and other top stars, said in a statement that the exact cause of death is not yet known, and that toxicology results will not be available for "at least four weeks."
Noel-Schure said, "We ask for your blessings and prayers of comfort for his family and close friends at this time. An announcement will be made at a future date for a musical celebration."
Prince's remains have been cremated, with no decision made as yet regarding where they will be stored. The exact location of his remains in the future will remain private. According to Daily Mail, Tyka and her husband spent a short while saying good-bye to Prince at the First Memorial Waterston Chapel in Minneapolis before his cremation.
The singer's 1984 film "Purple Rain" is playing in select theaters through Thursday, and seems to be filling a need for a memorial of sorts among his fans, with reports of screenings selling out.
