Chris Cornell, 52, was found dead on Wednesday night by a friend, on the bathroom floor of his room at the MGM Grand Hotel hours after performing in Detroit.
According to the Wayne County medical examiner’s office ruling the cause was suicide by hanging. A full autopsy had not yet been completed.
Mr. Cornell’s representative, Brian Bumbery, told CNN in a statement that the death was “sudden and unexpected.”
“His wife Vicky (nee Karayiannis) and family were shocked to learn of his sudden and unexpected passing, and they will be working closely with the medical examiner to determine the cause,” the statement read.
“They would like to thank his fans for their continuous love and loyalty and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”
The Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman married Vicky Karayiannis back in 2004 a few months into the relationship. He even converted to Greek Orthodox Christianism and had both his children Christopher and Toni baptised at a Greek Church. Famous Greek singer Anna Vissi is his son’s godmother.
Even though Cornell had been struggling with depression, the couple were very in love and the star even tweeted a heartfelt message to Vicky on Mother’s Day which read: “To my @vickycornell you are an angel and a lioness. The perfect mother and the perfect wife. I love you! Happy #MothersDay2017”
Meanwhile, as per a photo published by CNN, the band’s set list suggested the gig was to conclude with an encore of Behind the Wheel, however, the last song Cornell and his band performed was a cover of In My Time of Dying, an old blues song recorded by Blind Willie Johnson, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin and others.
Its opening lines are: “In my time of dying, want nobody to mourn/ All I want for you to do is take my body home.”