Chris Cornell’s final hours revealed by the last man to see him alive before his suicide
ROCK star Chris Cornell's final hours have been revealed by the last man to see him alive before his tragic suicide.
The singer’s bodyguard Martin Kirsten saw the 52-year-old moments before he hanged himself in his room at the MGM Grand hotel in Detroit, Michigan, USA, last week, police papers reveal.
The papers, obtained by The Detroit News, claim the bodyguard escorted Cornell to his hotel room after finishing his last show at 11.30pm on Wednesday night.
Kirsten - who previously dated model Heidi Klum - helped the singer fix his computer and gave him two Ativan pills, which the Soundgarden frontman is said to have taken for his anxiety.
But he was later forced to kick down two doors after receiving a panicked call from Cornell's wife, Vicky Karayiannis - who reported the singer slurring his words in a final phone call.
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Vicky said: "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.”
Kirsten told how he found the star lying on the bathroom floor "with blood running from his mouth", according to the police report.
A statement released by the Medical Examiner's Office following the initial autopsy said: "The cause of death has been determined as hanging by suicide.
"A full autopsy report has not yet been completed."
The family of the musician, who struggled with addiction before seeking treatment in 2002, claim the drug he was taking played a part in his death.
Kirk Pasich, a lawyer for the family, said: "Without the results of toxicology tests, we do not know what was going on with Chris—or if any substances contributed to his demise.
"Chris, a recovering addict, had a prescription for Ativan and may have taken more Ativan than recommended dosages.
"The family believes that if Chris took his life, he did not know what he was doing, and that drugs or other substances may have affected his actions."
Ativan has been said to cause depression and suicidal thoughts in rare cases.
TRIBUTES TO A GRUNGE GOD
TRIBUTES to Chris Cornell flooded in following his shock death last week.
Fans, friends and fellow musicians all paid their respects to the Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman who became one of the leading lights of the grunge movement.
Hailing the Black Hole Sun singer as a "true rock God", hundreds took to social media to tell of their devastation.
Leading them was Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page, who said: "RIP Chris Cornell - Incredibly Talented - Incredibly Young - Incredibly Missed."
Elton John said he was "shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Chris Cornell", describing him as "a great singer, songwriter and the loveliest man".
Former Red Hot Chilli Pepper Dave Navarro wrote: "So so stunned to hear about Chris Cornell! Such a terrible and sad loss! Thinking of his family tonight! RIP".
And legendary music producer Nile Rogers said: "RIP Chris Cornell - My heartfelt condolences to Vicki and your family. You are my special brother".
A police spokesman told two Detroit newspapers the singer was found hanged — just an hour after finishing his final haunting song.
According to the set list, which was posted online by fans, the final song of the performance was the 1991 classic Slaves And Bulldozers.
But the live version contained a refrain from the death-obsessed gospel song In My Time Of Dying, which was famously covered by Led Zeppelin.
The lyrics read: "In my time of dying, I want nobody to mourn. All I want for you to do is take my body home. Well, well, well, so I can die easy."
He also updated his Facebook page just hours earlier with a song Soundgarden released in 2012 called By Crooked Steps.
Along with the clip he posted the lyrics: "I'm the shape of the hole inside your heart."
Spokesman Brian Bumbery said: "His wife Vicky and family were shocked to learn of his sudden and unexpected passing.
"They would like to thank his fans for their continuous love and loyalty and ask that their privacy be respected at this time."