Except for a short statement released not long after his death, contesting the ruling that it was a suicide, Chris Cornell’s family hasn’t said much publicly about the late singer. With funeral arrangements coming together, Cornell’s wife Vicky decided to write a touching, public letter to her husband which she shared with Billboard.
In her letter, she noted all of the good times they shared in their time together, before apologizing for not being there alongside him on the night he took his own life. “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.”
She talked about how the tragedy has left her feeling “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.” Adding, “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.”
The entire music world was rocked by the news of Chris Cornell’s death last week, on May 17 at the relatively young age of 52. The singer was in Detroit, on tour with his band Soundgarden at the time. After the show, he went back to his hotel room where, according to police reports, he tied an exercise band around his neck and ended his life. His wife tried desperately to get a hold of him but couldn’t, so she notified his bodyguard, Martin Kirsten, around 12:15 AM, who eventually gained access to his room and found his body.
Since then tributes from across the world have poured in paying honor to his legacy. Our own Steven Hyden wrote a touching eulogy that you can check out here. You can read Vicky Cornell’s entire letter over on Billboard.
