The family of Soundgarden lead singer Chris Cornell has disputed the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s findings on his death, which called it a suicide by hanging.
Lawyer for the family Kirk Pasich gave a statement Friday, saying, “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,” according to The Washington Post.
The family would like toxicology tests to be done to help determine what might have led Cornell to hang himself in his Detroit hotel room after performing a show Wednesday night, The Washington Post reported.
The statement said that the family believes the anti-anxiety drug Ativan may have been a factor in Cornell’s death. Cornell’s widow, Vicky, said that Cornell told her he “may have taken an extra Ativan or two,” and that she asked security to check on him Wednesday after talking to him on the phone and hearing him slur his words, Rolling Stone reported.
“Chris was a devoted father and husband,” Vicky wrote, describing how Cornell flew home for Mother’s Day and discussed vacation plans and other future events the day he died, Rolling Stone reported.
Pasich noted that the some side effects of Ativan are “paranoid or suicidal thoughts, slurred speech, and impaired judgment,” The Washington Post reported.
Vicky also thanked fans and others for the “outpouring of love and support,” saying it “means so much more to us than anyone can know,” Rolling Stone reported.
Cornell was 52 years old.
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