Chris Cornell’s cause of death ruled as ‘suicide by hanging’

Hours after performing with Soundgarden at the Fox Theatre in Detroit on Wednesday night (17th May), the 52-year-old rock icon’s body was found in a bathroom in his room at the MGM Grand Detroit hotel.

Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office have now issued a short statement, saying: "The cause of death has been determined as hanging by suicide. A full autopsy report has not yet been completed." 

> BREAKING: Medical examiner determines Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell committed suicide by hanging in Detroit. > > — The Associated Press (@AP) May 18, 2017

In an earlier statement, Chris’s representative Brian Bumbery described the death as "sudden and unexpected" and said Chris’s wife and family would be working closely with the medical examiner to determine the cause and asked for privacy.

A Detroit Police spokesperson also said in a statement to the BBC: "He was found on the bathroom floor, our medical unit were called and he was pronounced dead on scene.

"A family friend went to go check on him and observed him on the bathroom floor. The body was transferred to the medical examiner's office."

Planet Rock’s Loz Guest caught up with Chris in May 2016 ahead of his acoustic show at Birmingham Symphony Hall.

Chris spoke about how Black Sabbath shaped Soundgarden plus his friendship with Jimmy Page and his views on Led Zeppelin pushing musical boundaries forward.

He also talked about the differences between his acoustic shows and full electric shows, how lyrics sites often get it wrong, his cover of U2’s ‘One’ with Metallica ‘One’ lyrics and how the new Soundgarden album was shaping up. Listen to the whole chat here:

Since news of Chris’s untimely death first emerged this morning, stars from all over the rock world have been paying tribute to Chris including Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, Rush, Slash, Alice Cooper and Joe Bonamassa. You can read a selection of the tributes below. 

Chris is survived by his second wife, publicist Vicky Karayiannis, and by three children.

> I love you, brother. Thank you for your friendship and your humor and your intellect and your singular and unmatched talent. It was a great honor to know you as a friend and as a band mate. I am devastated and deeply saddened that you are gone dear friend but your unbridled rock power, delicate haunting melodies and the memory of your smile are with us forever. Your beautiful voice and beautiful self will always be in my heart. God bless you and your family. > > A post shared by Tom Morello (@tommorello) on May 18, 2017 at 7:35am PDT

> Chris Cornell gone at 52, what a waste. One of my favourite singers and a lovely person, this news came as a complete shock. pic.twitter.com/T7aQ277Uos > > — Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) May 18, 2017

> RIP Chris Cornell
> Incredibly Talented
> Incredibly Young
> Incredibly Missed. pic.twitter.com/pKNI4tKiXz > > — Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) May 18, 2017

> Rest in Peace @ChrisCornellhttps://t.co/wL4TjJg3lB pic.twitter.com/Ps2aPIBbSQ > > — BlackSabbath (@BlackSabbath) May 18, 2017

> This is shocking and terribly sad news.Chris Cornell was not only an amazing musician but also a generous spirit that will be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/sTcKKKqw0U > > — Rush (@rushtheband) May 18, 2017

> Shocked & saddened by the news of Chris Cornell's passing. RIP. https://t.co/zewHDnsv1N > > — Slash (@Slash) May 18, 2017

> So sorry to hear about Chris Cornell. Very talented and very sad. > > — Rikki Rockett (@RikkiRockett) May 18, 2017

> Chris Cornell: INCOMPARABLE Singer; Songwriter; Family Man. ONE OF THE GREATS. Turn this up: https://t.co/2hZJ4tjxkg pic.twitter.com/uKFWAOELeK > > — Alice Cooper (@RealAliceCooper) May 18, 2017

> Man.. Chris Cornell.. what a talent. I didn't know him but I sure loved his music ! Too young... RIP > > — Steve Lukather (@stevelukather) May 18, 2017

> SO SO stunned to hear about Chris Cornell! Such a terrible and sad loss! Thinking of his family tonight! RIP > > — Dave Navarro (@DaveNavarro) May 18, 2017

> I AM SO SADDENED BY CHRIS CORNELL PASSING. @soundgarden
> TOTAL SHOCK.GREAT MAN.GREAT BAND.GREAT LOSS. LOVE TO EVERYONE IN HIS WORLD. XXX > > — GAVIN ROSSDALE (@GavinRossdale) May 18, 2017

> Sad 2 hear of Chris Cornell passing..great singer and artist... another blow…RIP > > — Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) May 18, 2017

> Tears in my eyes that this is your last ever tweet. We played here with u guys in 1992 ?thanks for your pipes @chriscornell u will b missed https://t.co/Xgbann0hd4 > > — Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) May 18, 2017

> So very very sad that we lost another beautifully gifted human today .. RIP brother #chriscornell?? pic.twitter.com/5MGCq0iEok > > — Glenn Hughes (@glenn_hughes) May 18, 2017

> RIP Chris Cornell...Our Thoughts & Prayers To His Family, Friends & Fans...Such A Talent...So Young... https://t.co/HmiFdGAy2g > > — David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) May 18, 2017

> A shining voice in music has left us in the midnight. He was a complex and gentle soul #ChrisCornell has flown into the black hole sun. > > — Perry Farrell (@perryfarrell) May 18, 2017

> Extremely shocking to hear of Chris Cornell's passing. He was one of the greatest rock singers to ever picked up a microphone. > > — JOE BONAMASSA (@JBONAMASSA) May 18, 2017

> In total shock that our friend, #ChrisCornell has died. Sending warm positive vibes and prayers to his family, friends and fans! > > — Living Colour (@LivingColour) May 18, 2017

> RIP Chris Cornell. Chris was the most influential singer to me as a writer. I just saw him perform days ago. Completely devastated > > — Mark Tremonti (@MarkTremonti) May 18, 2017

> Wow...this one is shocking. Chris Cornell was one of the benchmark vocalists of our generation...devastating loss. #RIPChrisCornell pic.twitter.com/x3F9rptL0D > > — Mike Portnoy ? (@MikePortnoy) May 18, 2017

> #RIP to one of my biggest influences, Chris Cornell... one of the greatest voices and writers of all time! > > — Danny Worsnop (@dannyworsnop) May 18, 2017

> Holy crap, r.i.p Cornell :( > > — Devin Townsend (@dvntownsend) May 18, 2017

> Man, he was a huge vocal inspiration. > > — Devin Townsend (@dvntownsend) May 18, 2017

> STUNNED to hear the death of Chris Cornell. Music's loss. Greater still, his family has lost a father&husband. RIP. https://t.co/5NGC2YCcz1 > > — Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) May 18, 2017

> Very sad news about Chris Cornell today. A sad loss of a great talent to the world, his friends and family. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/BlgxE6cJLH > > — Joe Perry (@JoePerry) May 18, 2017

> RIP CHRIS CORNELL > > — ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) May 18, 2017

> Rip @chriscornell one of the great voices of rock and roll! You will sadly be missed. > > — Beth Hart (@BethHart) May 18, 2017

> #RIPChrisCornell You will be missed but never forgotten. My heart goes out to His family and friends. #sadday https://t.co/y2e9YXGR9o > > — DJ ASHBA (@DjASHBA) May 18, 2017

> Just awoke this morning to the very sad and awful news about @chriscornell > > — rickywarwick (@rickywarwick) May 18, 2017

> Rest ...Peace pic.twitter.com/YcN7QECCo0 > > — Chuck D (@MrChuckD) May 18, 2017

> RIP to Chris Connell... one of the greatest voices of rock ever..He will be missed?? pic.twitter.com/haC0PRR5wy > > — Cypress Hill ™ (@cypresshill) May 18, 2017

> I can't believe that #chriscornell is gone! Biggest shock for me right now. Prayers to family, friends & fans worldwide. Godspeed my friend? > > — MichaelSweet Stryper (@michaelhsweet) May 18, 2017

> Shocking news. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Going to crank Badmotorfinger. > > A post shared by Scott Ian (@scottianthrax) on May 18, 2017 at 1:34am PDT