Reports: DNA tests prove inmate not Prince’s son
A Colorado prison inmate’s claims that Prince was his father were disproved by DNA test results, according to the Associated Press and TMZ.
Both outlets cite sources who have seen the documents, which have been sealed by the Minnesota judge overseeing Prince’s estate in the absence of a will.
The man in question, Carlin Q. Williams, will no longer be entitled to inherit Prince’s fortune, estimated to be worth up to $300 million. Williams’ mother, Marsha Henson, told the AP she did not believe the results.
“I don’t believe that. I think they’re positive,” said Henson, who has claimed she had unprotected sex with Prince at a Kansas City, Missouri, hotel in 1976.
Williams, a 39-year-old whose criminal record includes drug and domestic violence charges, is serving eight years in federal prison for unlawfully transporting a firearm in a stolen vehicle.
Williams had long asserted that he was Prince’s son, though it’s not clear whether Prince was aware of that. Before he went to prison, Williams was trying to launch a career as a hip-hop artist under the moniker Prince Dracula.
TMZ first reported the DNA results.
Judge Kevin Eide sealed the documents on Wednesday “due to the confidential nature of the determination of heirship issues,” according to documents filed with the court and obtained by USA TODAY.
Prince died of an accidental drug overdose on April 21 in his Paisley Park compound in Carver County, Minn., and no will has been located. Prince left no parents, spouses or known children.
Williams’ Florida attorney, Patrick Cousins, and his publicist, Bruce Lewis, did not return emails seeking comment.
“There is really nothing to say,” Prince’s nephew President Nelson told the AP. “There isn’t much to say because it was never a thing.”
Under Minnesota law, full siblings and half-siblings are treated equally for the purposes of inheritance. Both of Prince’s now deceased parents had children with other spouses and relationships.
The estate has to separate the legitimate relatives from the scores of people coming forward, many of whom may be frauds or mistaken, before it can fairly distribute the assets of Prince’s estate.
Meanwhile, would-be heirs have been coming forward, although Eide had set a deadline earlier this month for filing paternity and kinship claims. Many of the claimants have sought to have their DNA test results and their testimony sealed so as not to be forced to discuss sensitive family matters in open court.
At last count, in addition to his one full sister, Tyka Nelson and his half-dozen known half-siblings or their descendants, at least three more half-siblings have come forward, along with at least two more previously unknown children (other than Williams) and seven people who claim to be descendants of the sister of Prince’s great-great grandfather.
Article by: Andrea Mandell, USA TODAY
