CHRIS CORNELL – Toxicology Report Reveals Several Prescription Drugs In Singer’s Body

June 2, 2017, 7 years ago

news chris cornell hard rock

CHRIS CORNELL – Toxicology Report Reveals Several Prescription Drugs In Singer’s Body

TMZ is reporting that a completed toxicology report reveals Chris Cornell was using prescription drugs at the time of his death.

The 52-year-old Soundgarden frontman had Naloxone (Narcan), Butalbital (a sedative), Lorazepam (Ativan), Pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) and barbiturates in his system when he was found dead after the band's performance in Detroit, according to the report.

In a statement issued following the release of her late husband's toxicology report, Vicky Cornell said: "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. Something clearly went terribly wrong and my children and I are heartbroken and are devastated that this moment can never be taken back.

"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."

Billboard reports that following his death, Chris Cornell's catalog of albums and songs, both solo and with his various bands, surged by 552 percent, to 32.7 million in combined sales and on-demand streams (up from 5 million) in the week ending May 18th, according to Nielsen Music.

In terms of on-demand streams (audio and video combined), Cornell's songs collected 32.5 million streams in the week ending May 18th, a gain of 549 percent (from 5 million in the week ending May 11th). His catalog of albums sold 38,000 copies (up 1,732 percent from 2,000), while his songs sold 144,000 downloads (up 2,222 percent from 6,000).

Meanwhile, several songs and albums by Cornell populate Billboard's rock charts (dated June 3rd), including seven new entries on the Hot Rock Songs survey. His Hot Rock Songs presence is led at #7 by Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" from 1994's Superunkown, which also becomes the band's first #1 on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart, moving 17,000 downloads (up from 1,000 the week before). The song also drew 4 million US streams (up from 1.3 million). "Sun" marks the band's best rank on the Hot Rock Songs since "Live To Rise" peaked at #4 in June 2012.

Read more at Billboard.com.

The private funeral for Chris Cornell, who passed away in Detroit last Thursday (May 18th), was held on Friday, May 26th at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. Ahead of the service, Cornell’s remains were cremated on Tuesday, May 23rd, as a small group of family and friends stood by including his brother Peter, his wife Vicki, and his friends Linda Ramone and singer J.D. King.



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