Medical Examiner Ruled Soundgarden Singer Chris Cornell's Death A Suicide

Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell was found dead in a Detroit hotel room Wednesday night following the band’s concert at the Fox Theater in the city. He was 52.

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A Detroit medical examiner determined Thursday afternoon he committed suicide by hanging, according to the Associated Press. 

Cornell’s representative, Brian Bumbery, said in a statement that the singer’s death was “sudden and unexpected.”

The “I Am The Highway” singer was found with a band around his neck inside a MGM Grand casino hotel room around midnight, according to police.

A family friend who was called to check in on Cornell forced his way into the hotel room and discovered the singer unresponsive on the bathroom floor, cops said.

Soundgarden was slated to perform at the Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio, Friday.

According to reports, one of the final songs Soundgarden performed Wednesday night at the Fox Theater was a cover of Led Zeppelin's "In My Time of Dying," which features the lyrics: "In my time of dying, I want nobody to mourn / All I want for you to do is take my body home." 

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Cornell was active on social media hours before his passing, posting lyrics to the Soundgarden song, "By Crooked Steps:" “I'm the shape of the hole Inside your heart,” on Instagram.

He also Tweeted about his excitement about returning to Detroit.

#Detroit finally back to Rock City!!!! @soundgarden pic.twitter.com/BqXx9veFoD

— Chris Cornell (@chriscornell) May 18, 2017

Cornell is considered one of the founding fathers of the Seattle grunge scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s, along with bands like Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam.

He was also a member of the bands Audioslave and Temple of the Dog.

He also had a successful solo career that crossed into the film world, where he recorded the themes to the 2006 James Bond film, Casino Royale, and, more recently, The Promise starring Oscar Isaac.

Cornell was born in Seattle in 1964.

When he was 20, he founded Soundgarden, which would achieve global acclaim with their albums Badmotorfinger, Superunknown and Down on the Upside before their breakup in 1997. 

In 2001, he formed Audioslave with the members of Rage Against the Machine; they went on to release three records.

In 2010, Soundgarden reformed and released King Animal two years later. The band was expected to release a new record this year. Soundgarden has not commented on Cornell's death.

Cornell was named “Rock’s Greatest Singer” by Guitar World magazine and was ranked 9th on Rolling Stone’s “Best Lead Singers of All Time."

Musicians from all genres took to social media to pay their respects to the “Wave Goodbye” singer.

RIP Chris Cornell
Incredibly Talented
Incredibly Young
Incredibly Missed. pic.twitter.com/pKNI4tKiXz

— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) May 18, 2017

Shocked and saddened by the sudden death of @chriscornell. A great singer, songwriter and the loveliest man. pic.twitter.com/Hwdgst8kmg

— Elton John (@eltonofficial) May 18, 2017

Sad to hear my friend @chriscornell passed away. A searcher of higher truth has entered the eternal hereafter. Prayers & Love to his family pic.twitter.com/FQDDavq7vc

— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) May 18, 2017

Chris Cornell rip?? https://t.co/oxvHXJbYiV

— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) 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

The producers of the James Bond franchise also paid tribute to the singer on Twitter.

Chris Cornell was a gentleman and a true artist. Barbara, Michael and the entire Bond family mourn this tragic loss. pic.twitter.com/lLhz87LPyG

— James Bond (@007) May 18, 2017

Cornell is survived by his wife, Vicky, their two children, Toni, 13, Christopher Nicholas, 12, and his daughter from a previous marriage, 17-year-old Lillian Jean.

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