Chris Cornell’s widow opens up about his addiction and death in first TV interview

"My husband was the furthest thing from a rock star junkie"

The widow of Chris Cornell has given her first TV interview since her late husband’s death. Scroll below to watch.

The Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman was found dead in his hotel room on May 17, 2017. He was 52.

His death was officially ruled as suicide, although Vicky Cornell has expressed her doubts, previously stating: “He didn’t want to die”.

Advertisement

Vicky Cornell has now spoken to ABC News, saying: “My husband was the furthest thing from a rock star junkie. He just wasn’t.”

“He was the best husband, the greatest father. I lost my soulmate and the love of my life.”

“He wanted to be there for his family, for his children,” she added. “He loved his life… he would never have ever left this world.”

“I don’t think that he could make any decisions because of the level of impairment.”

She detailed how prescription drug abuse may have led to his death, saying that he started taking medication for a shoulder injury that wasn’t meant to be given to people with addiction problems.

Advertisement

“Approximately a year before he died, he was prescribed a benzodiazepine to help him sleep,” Vicky said. “He had torn his shoulder… the pain in the shoulder was waking him up at night and it was keeping him up.”

Describing how her late husband took 33 pills over a nine-day period, she added: “He had really delayed speech. He was forgetful. The brain of someone who has a substance use disorder is different from that of… someone who doesn’t… He relapsed.

“I know that people say, you know, you can’t blame yourself,” she continued. “I’m trying not to, but there were signs.”

Arguing that “people don’t recognise” addiction “as a disease”, Vicky admitted: “I was, I feel, guilty of the same thing. You think addiction is a choice. And it’s not.”

The interview aired on Good Morning America on Wednesday (February 21).

Recently, a new Chris Cornell interview was unearthed, featuring grunge icon discussing his struggles with depression.

  • In the UK and Ireland, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can help on 1-800-273-TALK.

You May Also Like

Advertisement

TRENDING

Advertisement

More Stories