A Detroit medical examiner ruled that Chris Cornell committed suicide by hanging. However, Cornell’s family is disputing this ruling. In a statement the family says “if Chris took his life, he did not know what he was doing, and that drugs or other substances may have affected his actions.”
The Cornell family believes that prescription drug, Ativan, may be the cause of his death. Chris Cornell is believed to have taken these pills hours before his death. “Some medical literature indicates that Ativan can cause paranoid or suicidal thoughts, slurred speech and impaired judgment,” according to the family.
Vicky Cornell, wife of Chris Cornell, put out another statement, “When we spoke after the show, I noticed he was slurring his words; he was different,” she explained. “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.”
“Without the results of toxicology tests, we do not know what was going on with Chris—or if any substances contributed to his demise.”
