Chris Cornell's family takes issue with coroner's report

Yesterday a medical examiner ruled that Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell's May 17th death was a "suicide by hanging." The singer's family is now questioning the medical examiner's conclusion, issuing a new statement in which they suggest that drugs may have impaired Cornell's decision making abilities. Specifically, the family believes that the prescription anti-anxiety medication, Ativan, may be at fault. Cornell allegedly took a substantial dose of the drug prior to his death. "Without the results of toxicology tests, we do not know what was going on with Chris—or if any substances contributed to his demise," the Cornell family explained. His wife, Vicky said, "Chris's death is a loss that escapes words and has created an emptiness in my heart that will never be filled. As everyone who knew him commented, Chris was a devoted father and husband... When we spoke after the show, I noticed he was slurring his words; he was different. When he told me he may have taken an extra Ativan or two, I contacted security and asked that they check on him." She added: "What happened is inexplicable and I am hopeful that further medical reports will provide additional details. I know that he loved our children and he would not hurt them by intentionally taking his own life. The outpouring of love and support from his fans, friends and family means so much more to us than anyone can know. Thank you for that, and for understanding how difficult this is for us."