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Chris Cornell's wife asked bodyguard to check on star following 'strange phone call' before his death

On Thursday morning, we were all left shocked when it was reported that Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell had tragically passed away just hours after playing a sold-out show in Detroit.

The grunge star was midway through his tour with Soundgarden and had told his fans that he’d see them on Friday, the next scheduled date in the tour.

Chris Cornell’s wife, Vicky, raised the alarm.
Chris Cornell’s wife, Vicky, raised the alarm.

However, Chris, 52, was found unresponsive in his hotel bathroom in the early hours of Thursday morning, with it later being confirmed that he had sadly died following a suspected suicide.

Now The Detroit News have reported that Chris’ concerned wife, Vicky, had contacted Chris’ bodyguard to check on her husband after she received a strange phone call from him.

It is believed that the report comes from one of the police officers who was on the scene on Wednesday night, with it being stated that Martin Kirsten, a member of the star’s security team, was the one to find the singer.

The star had just performed a sold out show.
The star had just performed a sold out show.

According to the publication, Kirstin told officers that he’d received a call from Vicky at 12.15am, asking him to check on Chris.

Vicky is said to have told Kirstin that “he did not sound like he is okay”, allegedly adding that Chris sounded “groggy” and kept saying “I am just tired” before hanging up the phone.

It had previously been confirmed that Chris had a prescription for anti-anxiety medication with rare side effects for the drugs being paranoid or suicidal thoughts.

Speaking in a statement released on Friday, Vicky said that she is determined to get to the bottom of her husband’s death, explaining: “What happened is inexplicable, and I am hopeful that further medical reports will provide additional details.

Chris Cornell and Family attend the New York Screening of
Chris has two children with Vicky.

“I know that he loved our children, and he would not hurt them by intentionally taking his own life.”

Together, Chris and Vicky are mum and dad to 13-year-old daughter Toni and 12-year-old son Christopher, with Chris also being father to 17-year-old Lillian Jean from a previous relationship.

A separate statement from the family’s lawyer Kirk Pasich read: “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.”

His rep, Brian Bumbery, added: “His wife Vicky and family were shocked to learn of his sudden and unexpected passing.

Soundgarden paved the way for grunge artists.
Soundgarden paved the way for grunge artists.

“They would like to thank his fans for their continuous love and loyalty and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”

Following his sold-out show in Detroit, Chris – who was also the frontman of Audioslave – reportedly appeared “happy and normal” as he met with fans and posed for selfies.

Chris’ family are working closely with the medical examiner to determine the cause of his death.

If you have been affected by this article please call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their website for further guidance.

Read more:

[ Chris Cornell’s Audioslave bandmate pens poignant poem about star’s death ]

[ Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell tragically passes away aged 52 ]