Food & Culture

Chris Cornell’s Wife, Vicky, Pens Heartbreaking Open Letter to Her Husband

A week after her husband's death, Vicky Cornell is speaking out.

By Michael Rietmulder May 24, 2017

cornell-first-redo-RESIZE

A week after Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell was found dead in his Detroit hotel room, his wife, Vicky, has published an open letter to her late husband.

The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Cornell’s death a suicide by hanging. However, Vicky quickly released a statement suggesting it could have been a side effect of an anxiety medication the singer was taking. A toxicology report has yet to be completed.

Cornell’s death has shaken Seattleites and the greater music community, and many of his peers have paid tribute to the grunge star on stage. 

In the open letter to her husband, first published by Billboard, Vicky doesn’t directly address his cause of death, saying only “I will fight for you.” Read her letter in its entirety below.

To My Sweet Christopher,

You were the best father, husband and son-in-law. Your patience, empathy and love always showed through.

You had always said I saved you, that you wouldn’t be alive if it were not for me. My heart gleamed to see you happy, living and motivated. Excited for life. Doing everything you could to give back. We had the time of our lives in the last decade and I’m sorry, my sweet love, that I did not see what happened to you that night. I’m sorry you were alone, and I know that was not you, my sweet Christopher. Your children know that too, so you can rest in peace.

I’m broken, but I will stand up for you and I will take care of our beautiful babies. I will think of you every minute of every day and I will fight for you. You were right when you said we are soulmates. It has been said that paths that have crossed will cross again, and I know that you will come find me, and I will be here waiting.

I love you more than anyone has ever loved anyone in the history of loving and more than anyone ever will.

Always and forever, Your Vicky

 

Join The Must List

Sign up and get Seattle's best events delivered to your inbox every week.

Follow Us

Book: A Fun Ride

Book: A Fun Ride

Biking Uphill in the Rain explores Seattle’s robust bicycling culture

Despite Seattle’s infamous hills and seemingly constant drizzle, the city is known across the United States for its strong bicycling culture. Bicycling magazine, in fact, has named Seattle the best bike city in the country. A new book by Tom Fucoloro, the founder of the popular Seattle Bike Blog, takes a deep dive into the…

Arts: Picture Perfect

Arts: Picture Perfect

Robin Layton is nothing short of a Seattle treasure

Much like capturing the perfect moment on film, photographer Robin Layton’s life is a series of moments that are almost hard to believe. Some would call them coincidences, and others, instances of fate. Remember that iconic photo of a grinning Ken Griffey sliding across home plate (“The Smile at the Bottom of the Pile”) to…

Datebook: Fall Arts Finds

Datebook: Fall Arts Finds

A look at some of the upcoming season’s hottest works

As the long, hot days of summer melt away into cooler temps and earlier evenings, Seattleites are about to make the seasonal shift toward indoor activities. While monthly art walks and occasional museum visits are popular year-round, for those in the know, back-to-school sales also signal the start of Fall Arts: the time of year…

A City by Design

A City by Design

Seattle Design Festival seeks to create equitable, thriving communities

THE LARGEST DESIGN FESTIVAL in the Pacific Northwest is right around the corner, and organizers are asking residents to weigh in on Seattle’s future self. The Seattle Design Festival, which began in 2011, runs from Aug. 19-24. It features interactive cultural events across the city with an overarching theme of “Curiosity.” Festival organizers anticipate that…