Musician Chris Cornell reportedly had track marks on his arm when his body was found, according to a report Thursday.
The legendary musician used an exercise band and a clip device to hang himself on May 17th, but sources close to the investigation now tells TMZ that the singer also had marks on his arm indicating a potential drug injection.
Cornell’s family has denied that he “intentionally and knowingly” committed suicide, stating that he had taken more than his recommended dose of an anxiety medication, Ativan.
The source told the gossip site that the track marks were “obvious” on the 52-year-old’s arm.
The Soundgarden frontman suffered from substance abuse problems early in his career and checked into rehab in 2002 and eventually sobered up by 2006.
“Going through rehab, honestly, did help … it got me away from just the daily drudgery of depression and either trying to not drink or do drugs or doing them,” he said at the time. “They give you such a simple message, that any idiot can get… you have to want it and to not do that crap anymore or you will never stop and it will just kill you.”
It is unclear if Cornell had to turned to drugs prior to that night in Detroit.
A friend of the rocker said that he appeared to be high during the performance.
“Chris was out of character from note one of the show,” tour manager and house engineer, Ted Keedick, told TMZ.
His wife, Vicky, penned a heartbreaking letter to her late husband this week, noting that the family didn’t think it was him in the moment.
“I’m sorry you were alone, and I know that was not you, my sweet Christopher,” she wrote. “Your children know that too, so you can rest in peace.”
additional source: nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip
8 Responses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPeJFypY_p8
don’t believe every report from tmz they want clicks on their site – chris is gone the family’s in pain time to let it be –
Robert,
TMZ, may lack one’s respect because of it’s tabloid nature. However, Harvey Levin, was a lawyer for many years, and has connections in many areas of law enforcement, from judges, to lawyers, to medical examiners. Additionally, with his background in law, and having many lawyers working in-house, TMZ knows all about slander, defamation, etc., should the information they are reporting, turn out to be erroneous.
I have a bad feeling there may be some truth to this story, and quite frankly, it would make the most sense regarding this senseless tragedy. However, should it prove to be innaccurate, of course, I will follow up.
Cheers,
Dana
thanks for the info on TMZ there are so many sleazy people like this they all seem the same – I hope its not true , you do great work reporting the rock n roll news Dana no disrespect was intended ~bob
Oh, I know you are a good egg, Robert, 🙂 No worries.
I merely wanted to explain, as tabloidy as TMZ may seem, (and they can be), there is whole legal team behind the scenes, making sure they do not get sued.
My hunch is this news may have some merit to it, because, the exercise band that he ultimately used to end his life, may have also been used to tie off his arm to inject drugs. Additionally, the pain, disappointment and shame that he might have felt by relapsing could have also driven his decision. Finally, had he taken Ativan along with another narcotic, that would make his odd described state, before this tragic event, make even more sense.
Perhaps, this was a secret he had been harboring? If it turns out to be true, it would be very sad that he felt he could not reach out and try to get help. But, I guess the disease of addiction, coupled with depression, is a life long battle that can make even the strongest constitution weary.
R.I.P. GREGG ALLMAN.
“Live at Fillmore East”
One of the most kick ass live albums of all time. Midnight Rider has left the building.
Very sad, but not unexpected. I mean no disrespect to Chris’s family, because I am sure that they did everything they could to help him get clean. Drug abuse and addiction is a hard thing to kick, for sure. And the lifestyle that people in the music business live does not lend itself to making the job of getting clean any easier. Just look at how many times folks like Dave Mustaine and Nikki Sixx came close to dying because of it. It may be overly simplistic, but the Reagan message of “Just Say No” when it comes to drug use is the most effective way of avoiding this kind of tragedy.