Toxicology Report for Chris Cornell – Prescription Drugs to Blame
According to the toxicology report obtained by TMZ, Chris Cornell had several prescription drugs in his system when he hanged himself in a Detroit hotel room. Cornell had Naloxone (Narcan), Butalbital (sedative), Lorazepam (Ativan), Pseudoephedrine (decongestant) and barbiturates in his system at the time of death. It also appears that he had taken 4 (1 mg) Lorazepam (Ativan) tablets.
Naloxone (Narcan) is a medication used to block the effects of opioids, especially in overdose. EMTs administered the Naloxone in an attempt to save Cornell’s life. It is also the reason the singer had fresh needle puncture wounds on his left arm, as reported by cops.
Butalbital is often combined with other medications, such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or aspirin, and is commonly prescribed for the treatment of pain and headache.
Lorazepam (Ativan) is a medication used to treat anxiety disorders, trouble sleeping and has also been used to treat alcohol withdrawal, and chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. The medication can cause paranoia or suicidal thoughts and impair memory, judgment, and coordination. When combined with other substances, particularly alcohol, it can slow breathing and possibly lead to death.
Pseudoephedrine may be used as a nasal/sinus decongestant, as a stimulant, or as a wakefulness-promoting agent in higher doses.
In a statement to TMZ, Cornell’s wife Vicky said,
Many of us who know Chris well, noticed that he wasn’t himself during his final hours and that something was very off. We have learned from this report that several substances were found in his system. After so many years of sobriety, this moment of terrible judgement seems to have completely impaired and altered his state of mind.”
She added, “Something clearly went terribly wrong and my children and I are heartbroken and are devastated that this moment can never be taken back. We very much appreciate all of the love we have received during this extremely difficult time and are dedicated to helping others in preventing this type of tragedy.”
Vicky recalls how she and Chris first met:
“I met you on a starry Paris night at Hotel Plaza Athenee after we were called to arrange Audioslave’s under the radar after show party for the following night. I remember being introduced to you and how your eyes pierced through me. You had the show the next day, and I did not attend. I met up with everyone at your after party, and when you realized I wasn’t at the show, you dryly asked, ‘Well, where were you… out having a sandwich?’ A bunch of us sat, and I recall you ordering foie gras and me asking if you were sure you knew what you were ordering. You always had such elegant taste.
“A friend asked who was the most beautiful girl at L’Avenue, and you got up in front of everyone, looked all around, came back, and you pointed at me. We talked that night until the sun came up, and it was time for you to leave for the next city. You called me the very next day, and three days later we found ourselves together in London. I remember how you ran in, fearful I had left because you were late from Zane Lowe’s show, and you were meeting me for tea time. At the time, I thought I needed to be careful and tried to distance my heart from falling in love with you… but you didn’t let that happen, and you zigzagged back and forth across the world to visit me. You were permanently jet-lagged because you couldn’t bear our time away from each other.
“I finally came to visit you in New York on the 2003 Lollapalooza tour and threw your 39th birthday party. A few weeks later, I was on Mykonos, and you were still on Lollapalooza singing to me over the phone, ‘Oh sweet Ms Vicky, won’t you come and marry me.’ I didn’t know what to think other than I loved you, and I was all in. I flew to LA with my mom the day before my birthday in August. You gave me the most beautiful surprises from flowers, candles, and balloons everywhere to wrapped boxes of all shapes and sizes like it was Christmas. You made me feel like a princess.
“You moved into the Beverly Hills Hotel because I was staying there. You woke up one morning doing flips on the bed. You asked me to come sit with you, and you said you had to take your necklace back. I thought, ‘No… why?’ but you proceeded to cut it off and take the silver ring that was on it and said, ‘I woke up and I had the strangest vision of doing this. I’m not prepared with the real ring, but I want to marry you.’ The ring fit perfectly, and while you surprised me with a Harry Winston several weeks later, I could not bear to take it off, and I used it as my wedding band. The two always represented how different you and I were but how perfectly we fit together.
“I remember doing the civil wedding and how you cried. I had never met such a sensitive and special man. We had our beautiful babies, and you were convinced we were soulmates, and that you had been looking for me. I’m so happy you found me. I’m so happy for the nearly 14 and a half years we spent together. We did everything together, literally, everything. You were my best friend, and when I wasn’t out on tour, we were on the phone at least four hours a day. You were the best father, husband, and son-in-law to my parents. Your patience, empathy, and love always shone through.”
