Prince fans say goodbye with purple flowers at music legend's studio

Less than an hour after news broke that legendary music icon Prince was found dead at his private studio compound in Minnesota on Thursday, crowds of fans began gathering at the site of his death — which was also where he created some of his greatest music — to pay tribute.

The mourners, gathered outside Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota, brought purple flowers and shared hugs outside the compound's walls, while news of his death reverberated throughout the community. He had worked from the studio for more than three decades.

Prince, who was 57, was born and raised in nearby Minneapolis. 

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Lawmakers in the city also held a moment of silence on Thursday afternoon.

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Prince was recently sick with the flu and was on a flight a few days ago that was forced to make an emergency, landing in Moline, Illinois, so he could be rushed to the hospital, according to TMZ.

He threw a dance party at his estate the next day, to celebrate leaving the hospital. It would be his last public performance.

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