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Uri Schanker/GC ImagesA newly released toxicology report shows that Chris Cornell had a number of prescription drugs in his system at the time of death. In a statement to People magazine, his widow says she’s “heartbroken and devastated” at the findings.
The reports shows that Cornell, who was found dead in his Detroit hotel room on May 18, had Narcan in his system, which is used to block the effects of opiods. It is often administered in situations where there is a drug overdose. His system also contained a sedative called Butalbital, as well as Ativan, barbituates and Pseudoephedrine, which is a decongestant.
Cornell’s death was ruled a suicide by hanging. The toxicology report states, “These drugs did not contribute to the cause of death.” However, at the time, his widow, Vicky Cornell, said she believed that the fact that Cornell took more than his usual dose of Ativan may have put him in an altered state, where he did not know what he was doing.
Vicky now says in the statement to People, “Many of us who know Chris well, noticed that he wasn’t himself during his final hours and that something was very off. We have learned from this report that several substances were found in his system.”
“After so many years of sobriety, this moment of terrible judgement seems to have completely impaired and altered his state of mind,” she continues. “Something clearly went terribly wrong and my children and I are heartbroken and are devastated that this moment can never be taken back.”
She adds, “We very much appreciate all of the love we have received during this extremely difficult time and are dedicated to helping others in preventing this type of tragedy.”
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