The world lost one of its great voices in Detroit overnight.
Chris Cornell, lead singer of Soundgarden and Audioslave, died in Detroit according to his representative, Brian Bumbery. He was 52.
His wife and family were shocked by the death that was “sudden and unexpected,” according to a statement by Bumbery. They also said they’d be working closely with the medical examiner to determine the cause and asked for privacy.
The cause of death is confirmed: The Wayne County Medical Examiner has confirmed the cause of death as suicide by hanging. (3:10 p.m.)
What local Detroit media are reporting: As of 7:41 a.m. Detroit Police are telling WXYZ-7 that it was a possible suicide, saying that he was found on the bathroom floor after a family friend checked on him at the request of Cornell’s wife.
ClickonDetroit is additionally saying police told them he was found with something around his neck, and Fox 2 Detroit is saying “sources tell Fox 2 it could be a possible suicide.”
Multiple reports say that he was staying at MGM Grand Detroit.
What was he doing in Detroit: Cornell had just finished a Soundgarden show at the Fox Theatre in Detroit last night.
Welcome back to #Detroit, @soundgarden. pic.twitter.com/npfRbbt3Rb
— Brandon Chesnutt (@bchesnutt) May 18, 2017
Why the music world is rocked: He and the band Soundgarden are one of the pioneers of the of the grunge/Seattle sound of the late 80s and 90s. He’s been referred to as a “Founding Father of Grunge.” He’s one of the key voices of many people’s youth. They sold more than 10 million albums in the United States, won two Grammy awards and were nominated for nine.