Chris Cornell’s Family Sues His Doctor Over His Suicide

Soundgarden’s lead singer Chris Cornell died in Detroit in May 2017; he was 52 years old. Forensic medicine ruled that his death was a suicide. Chris Cornell’s family members sued his doctor for overprescribing before he died.

According to toxicology tests: he had drugs in his body, including barbiturates, the anti-opioid drug naloxone, and Ativan. However, the autopsy report said drugs were not the cause of death.

Chris Cornell’s wife Vicky Cornell and her children Toni and Christopher at court think that prescription drugs, in particular the anti-anxiety drug Lorazepam (brand name Ativan), have led to Cornell’s erratic behavior.  Vicky Cornell said she felt that the prescription drugs her husband was taking were making him act strangely and there were no signs that he might end his own life.

The lawsuit focuses specifically on Dr. Koblin’s prescribing to Chris Cornell large quantities of Lorazepam – sold under the Ativan brand, within 20 months of his death. Allegedly, the doctor did not examine Cornell before prescribing the drugs, even though he knew he had a serious history of substance abuse.

A Brief Story of Chris Cornell’s Life

Throughout his life, Chris has spoken publicly about her struggle with depression and substance abuse. He was born in Seattle, Washington in 1964 and became interested in music. He found and listen some Beatles albums in his neighbor’s basement after the age of nine.

Cornell left school at an early age due to some social difficulties. Then he started using marijuana, heroin and, prescription drugs at the age of 12. His addiction continued until he started music at age 16. Also he worked as a cook at a Seattle restaurant before he became a successful musician.

In the early years of his musical career, Cornell was a member of a cover band called The Shemp. And then he was a vocalist and songwriter in legendary bands such as Soundgarden and Audioslave. Also he made his own solo albums.

Chris Cornell’s melancholic voice and long-haired, unclothed stage presence made him a prominent figure in 1990s grunge rock. Soundgarden was among the first to gain national attention in a wave that later included Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains.

A bronze statue of Chris Cornell, depicting the singer in one of her typical poses, was erected outside the Pop Culture Museum in Seattle.

In the lawsuit aimed at determining the compensation afterward, some anonymous officials identified in Dr. Koblin’s office were cited as defendants. Toni Cornell, Cornell’s eldest daughter, is also on the list as a defendant. However, the lawsuit is listed as a symbolic defendant only, as he is the heir of his father.