Chris Cornell’s widow, Vicky, has issued her first public statement since the sudden death of of her husband at a Detroit hotel following a Soundgarden show in the city on May 17.
"Chris's death is a loss that escapes words and has created an emptiness in my heart that will never be filled,” she writes. “As everyone who knew him commented, Chris was a devoted father and husband. He was my best friend.
"His world revolved around his family first and, of course, his music second. He flew home for Mother's Day to spend time with our family. He flew out mid-day Wednesday, the day of the show, after spending time with the children. When we spoke before the show, we discussed plans for a vacation over Memorial Day and other things we wanted to do."
The couple reconnected by phone when Chris returned to the MGM Grand Detroit following Soundgarden’s show at The Fox Theatre, and Vicky reveals she noticed a change in her husband’s demeanor.
"When we spoke after the show, I noticed he was slurring his words; he was different,” she explains. “When he told me he may have taken an extra Ativan or two, I contacted security and asked that they check on him. What happened is inexplicable and I am hopeful that further medical reports will provide additional details. I know that he loved our children and he would not hurt them by intentionally taking his own life.”
Ativan is commonly used to treat anxiety and sleeping disorders, among other things, with side effects that include an increased risk of suicide among those who suffer with issues of depression.
“Without the results of toxicology tests, we do not know what was going on with Chris - or if any substances contributed to his demise,” noted Cornell family attorney Kirk Pasich in a statement. “Chris, a recovering addict, had a prescription for Ativan and might’ve taken more than the recommended dosage.
“The family believes that if Chris took his life, he did not know what he was doing and that drugs or other substances may have affected his actions.”
Cornell’s death has been ruled a suicide by hanging following an autopsy by The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office. The singer’s body was discovered on the floor of the bathroom in his room at the MGM Grand Detroit with a band around his neck.
"The Medical Examiner has completed the autopsy on 52-year-old Chris Cornell, the Soundgarden musician who died last night in Detroit,” the office said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “The cause of death has been determined as hanging by suicide. A full autopsy report has not yet been completed. There is no additional information at this time."
Video footage of Chris’ final show with Soundgarden at The Fox Theatre in Detroit can be viewed here.
The Michigan stop was the twelfth date of Soundgarden’s month-long spring tour of North America, which was set to wrap up with a festival appearance at Rocklahoma in Pryor, OK on May 27.
See also:
VIDEO: Watch Chris Cornell’s final performance with Soundgarden
Soundgarden: Chris Cornell death ruled a suicide
Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell dead at 52
VIDEO: Chris Cornell performs on CBS This Morning
Search Soundgarden at hennemusic
