UPDATE 2:19 p.m.: The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed Cornell’s death as a suicide.
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Chris Cornell, say hello to heaven.
The grunge icon and celebrated singer for bands like Soundgarden and Audioslave died after a show Wednesday night (May 17) at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. He was 52.
Cornell’s rep, Brian Bumbery, confirmed the news to CNN, calling his death “sudden and unexpected.”
Cornell was found in his hotel room at the MGM Grand. No cause of death has been made public.
Soundgarden | 5.17.17 pic.twitter.com/uBC6rSXWg6
— Fox Theatre Detroit (@FoxTheatreDet) May 18, 2017
“His wife Vicky 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,” reads a statement provided to CNN. “They would like to thank his fans for their continuous love and loyalty and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”
Cornell’s last tweet came last night as he expressed excitement for Soundgarden’s sold-out return to Detroit. According to setlist.fm, the final song he and the band performed was “Slaves & Bulldozers,” with a refrain of “In My Time of Dying.”
#Detroit finally back to Rock City!!!! @soundgarden #nomorebullshit pic.twitter.com/BqXx9veFoD
— Chris Cornell (@chriscornell) May 18, 2017
For more than 30 years, Cornell has been celebrated as having one of the most powerful voices in music. As news of his death began to circulate Thursday morning, many in the music community quickly paid tribute. Legendary guitarist Jimmy Page tweeted: “RIP Chris Cornell/Incredibly Talented/Incredibly Young/Incredibly Missed.”
Here is more reaction from Cornell’s death: