Vicky Cornell has penned an emotional tribute to her husband and late Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell, who was found dead in his hotel room a week ago.
Cornell’s death has been ruled suicide by hanging, but Vicky and the Cornell family have questioned that circumstances surrounding the events following Soundgarden’s show at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. He was 52 years old.
In the note, published to Billboard, Vicky writes, in part: “We had the time of our lives in the last decade and I’m sorry, my sweet love, that I did not see what happened to you that night… I’m sorry you were alone, and I know that was not you, my sweet Christopher.”
The two were married in 2004 and in 2012 launched the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation, with the mission to protect vulnerable children. Most of their philanthropic has been private and anonymous. It’s not clear what the future holds for the foundation in the wake of Cornell’s death, as its website has gone black.
Read the letter, in full, below:
“To My Sweet Christopher,
You were the best father, husband and son-in-law. Your patience, empathy and love always showed through.
You had always said I saved you, that you wouldn’t be alive if it were not for me. My heart gleamed to see you happy, living and motivated. Excited for life. Doing everything you could to give back. We had the time of our lives in the last decade and I’m sorry, my sweet love, that I did not see what happened to you that night. I’m sorry you were alone, and I know that was not you, my sweet Christopher. Your children know that too, so you can rest in peace.
I’m broken, but I will stand up for you and I will take care of our beautiful babies. I will think of you every minute of every day and I will fight for you. You were right when you said we are soulmates. It has been said that paths that have crossed will cross again, and I know that you will come find me, and I will be here waiting.
I love you more than anyone has ever loved anyone in the history of loving and more than anyone ever will.
Always and forever,
Your Vicky”