Days before family and friends gather in a private service to honor the life of Chris Cornell, the “Soundgarden” frontman’s wife, Vicky, published an open letter to her late husband.
Cornell died last week in a Detroit hotel room after performing a sold-out show with his band. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging. He was 52. A lawyer representing the family told the press that the family is awaiting toxicology reports to determine if the singer’s anti-anxiety medication played a role in the actions the singer took before his death.
In a letter published in Billboard, Vicky Karayiannis wrote to her “sweet Christopher,” apologizing for not being with him the night he died. It read, 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. Your children know that too, so you can rest in peace.”
Cornell is survived by three children, ages 16, 12 and 11.
Karayiannis’ letter continued, “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.”
The letter was published online after news broke that the star was cremated in Los Angeles on Tuesday. A private funeral for Cornell will take place Friday at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Fans will be able to visit his burial site starting at 3 p.m. PDT Friday during a public memorial.
Head over to Billboard to read the letter in its entirety.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HELLO to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.
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