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00:00:09,594 --> 00:00:12,179
-Ah, Chris Cornell
-He was a literal rock star.
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00:00:12,180 --> 00:00:13,555
He performed like a rock star.
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00:00:13,556 --> 00:00:15,349
He was a really electric
performer.
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00:00:15,350 --> 00:00:17,726
I mean, I can't think of any
other voice that's similar.
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00:00:17,727 --> 00:00:21,146
Obviously, very, very good
looking, kind of a Jesus
6
00:00:21,147 --> 00:00:23,774
walking on earth situation
there.
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00:00:23,775 --> 00:00:25,651
One of the greatest singers
of all time.
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00:00:25,652 --> 00:00:27,069
And on top of that,
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00:00:27,070 --> 00:00:28,654
an incredible artist
and a humanitarian.
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00:00:28,655 --> 00:00:31,031
Was it clear that he'd
struggled with depression
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00:00:31,032 --> 00:00:32,783
and emotional darkness?
Absolutely.
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00:00:32,784 --> 00:00:36,745
Singer Chris Cornell has died
at the age of 52.
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00:00:36,746 --> 00:00:38,872
A statement from his
representative said
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00:00:38,873 --> 00:00:41,917
Cornell died in Detroit
on Wednesday night.
15
00:00:41,918 --> 00:00:43,127
I was like, "Oh, my God,
I can't believe
16
00:00:43,128 --> 00:00:44,295
Chris Cornell killed himself."
17
00:00:44,296 --> 00:00:46,338
Cornell was in Detroit on tour
18
00:00:46,339 --> 00:00:50,134
and the statement calls
his death sudden and unexpected.
19
00:00:50,135 --> 00:00:51,927
The final autopsy report
20
00:00:51,928 --> 00:00:55,431
indicated that he did die
from suicide by hanging.
21
00:00:55,432 --> 00:00:57,641
However, there are still
several questions
22
00:00:57,642 --> 00:00:59,476
in this case
that we have not answered.
23
00:00:59,477 --> 00:01:01,687
It was very shocking
to think that, you know,
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00:01:01,688 --> 00:01:06,650
someone who definitely seemed
to be on a better uptick
25
00:01:06,651 --> 00:01:09,945
with regards to his life
would commit such an act.
26
00:01:09,946 --> 00:01:11,905
My first instinct was,
you know, disbelief.
27
00:01:11,906 --> 00:01:13,615
I think when it comes
to any rock star
28
00:01:13,616 --> 00:01:16,535
who dies suddenly, there's
this baked in unwillingness
29
00:01:16,536 --> 00:01:18,412
to accept the official story.
30
00:01:18,413 --> 00:01:20,831
There must be something
at work here.
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00:01:20,832 --> 00:01:22,541
911 Emergency.
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00:01:22,542 --> 00:01:24,918
The official narrative
doesn't tell the whole story.
33
00:01:24,919 --> 00:01:26,628
But you really have to look
at everything.
34
00:01:26,629 --> 00:01:27,880
You still have to go down
that rabbit hole.
35
00:01:27,881 --> 00:01:29,715
You still have to go down
that path.
36
00:01:29,716 --> 00:01:32,843
When a celebrity dies, the
search for answers moves online
37
00:01:32,844 --> 00:01:35,638
and the truth
may be one click away.
38
00:01:43,229 --> 00:01:47,232
May 2017, Chris Cornell
and Soundgarden
39
00:01:47,233 --> 00:01:52,029
played to a packed house at
Detroit's historic Fox Theatre.
40
00:01:52,030 --> 00:01:53,739
It's great to be back here.
41
00:01:53,740 --> 00:01:56,241
I love you guys up there
on the top shelf,
42
00:01:56,242 --> 00:01:58,452
but you got to stand up
and show me something.
43
00:02:01,873 --> 00:02:05,667
I have bragged about
Detroit crowds for 30 years,
44
00:02:05,668 --> 00:02:07,544
so stand up and make some noise.
45
00:02:18,556 --> 00:02:20,391
2 hours later...
46
00:02:20,392 --> 00:02:22,559
Detroit 911.
47
00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:25,938
What is the address
of the emergency?
48
00:02:25,939 --> 00:02:29,358
1777 Third Street,
the MGM Casino.
49
00:02:31,903 --> 00:02:34,405
...Cornell is found hanging
from the bathroom door
50
00:02:34,406 --> 00:02:37,241
of his hotel room.
51
00:02:37,242 --> 00:02:41,537
I have a non-responsive guest
in a hotel.
52
00:02:41,538 --> 00:02:46,208
It's gonna be a 50 year old male
inside of Room 1136.
53
00:02:46,209 --> 00:02:48,085
He's not breathing?
54
00:02:48,086 --> 00:02:50,879
No.
55
00:02:52,048 --> 00:02:55,092
Thank you very much, you guys.
56
00:02:55,093 --> 00:02:56,552
Thank you.
57
00:02:56,553 --> 00:02:59,805
In the mid-1980s,
a new music genre emerges
58
00:02:59,806 --> 00:03:02,391
from America's Pacific
Northwest.
59
00:03:02,392 --> 00:03:05,060
How ya doing, bro?
60
00:03:05,061 --> 00:03:07,271
Fusing punk rock
and heavy metal.
61
00:03:07,272 --> 00:03:09,440
It is labeled grunge.
62
00:03:09,441 --> 00:03:12,276
Early stars of the dark,
nihilistic genre include
63
00:03:12,277 --> 00:03:15,362
Alice in Chains,
Nirvana, and Pearl Jam.
64
00:03:15,363 --> 00:03:19,450
And in 1991, Chris Cornell
and his band Soundgarden
65
00:03:19,451 --> 00:03:21,285
released the double
platinum album
66
00:03:21,286 --> 00:03:22,828
"Bad Motor Finger"
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00:03:22,829 --> 00:03:26,707
and joins them
as stars of radio and MTV.
68
00:03:26,708 --> 00:03:30,586
He is arguably one
of the most talented
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00:03:30,587 --> 00:03:32,212
rock and roll singers
of our time.
70
00:03:32,213 --> 00:03:35,132
In 1997, at the height
of their success,
71
00:03:35,133 --> 00:03:37,468
Soundgarden calls it quits.
72
00:03:37,469 --> 00:03:39,761
It's the end of the band,
73
00:03:39,762 --> 00:03:42,723
but for Cornell,
it's a new beginning.
74
00:03:42,724 --> 00:03:44,391
Unlike a bunch
of other grunge acts,
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00:03:44,392 --> 00:03:45,893
Chris Cornell keeps his career
76
00:03:45,894 --> 00:03:49,062
going through the '90s
into the 2000s.
77
00:03:49,063 --> 00:03:51,356
After Soundgarden breaks up,
he forms Audioslave.
78
00:03:51,357 --> 00:03:53,442
Has a bunch of huge hits
with them
79
00:03:53,443 --> 00:03:55,736
and sort of caps
it all off in 2006,
80
00:03:55,737 --> 00:03:58,989
when he recorded the theme song
for the massively successful
81
00:03:58,990 --> 00:04:01,241
James Bond film "Casino Royale".
82
00:04:01,242 --> 00:04:05,704
By 2017, Cornell has reunited
with his Soundgarden bandmates,
83
00:04:05,705 --> 00:04:09,416
and they hit the road
for an extensive US tour.
84
00:04:09,417 --> 00:04:13,462
There's something really great
about the... that first,
85
00:04:13,463 --> 00:04:16,798
it's either half a song
to, like, the first two songs,
86
00:04:16,799 --> 00:04:20,636
however long it takes
to kind of settle in.
87
00:04:20,637 --> 00:04:22,764
That's, like, the biggest rush.
88
00:04:27,268 --> 00:04:29,269
The news of Cornell's
passing shocks
89
00:04:29,270 --> 00:04:32,272
his fans, who are left
trying to figure out
90
00:04:32,273 --> 00:04:35,692
what could have led to
the successful singer's death.
91
00:04:35,693 --> 00:04:38,612
I was just like,
"How could this be?"
92
00:04:38,613 --> 00:04:39,905
He just did it all,
93
00:04:39,906 --> 00:04:41,490
and so I think all of us
were heartbroken.
94
00:04:41,491 --> 00:04:43,367
And, you know, I think the world
is feeling it right now,
95
00:04:43,368 --> 00:04:45,077
and so...
96
00:04:45,078 --> 00:04:48,747
Investigators immediately ruled
Cornell's death a suicide.
97
00:04:48,748 --> 00:04:53,127
And within 24 hours,
the case is closed.
98
00:04:55,338 --> 00:04:58,423
But family and friends
aren't buying it.
99
00:04:58,424 --> 00:04:59,925
And while the police
are no longer
100
00:04:59,926 --> 00:05:01,969
investigating
the cause of death,
101
00:05:01,970 --> 00:05:04,054
there are thousands
of amateur sleuths
102
00:05:04,055 --> 00:05:08,392
and armchair detectives online
who never stopped.
103
00:05:08,393 --> 00:05:09,810
I was heartbroken.
104
00:05:09,811 --> 00:05:11,478
I really didn't like
what was being reported.
105
00:05:11,479 --> 00:05:13,105
I was mad.
106
00:05:13,106 --> 00:05:15,732
It made me want to try to get
to the bottom of it.
107
00:05:15,733 --> 00:05:18,527
To date, there are thousands
of posts picking apart
108
00:05:18,528 --> 00:05:20,153
Chris Cornell's death,
109
00:05:20,154 --> 00:05:23,115
and the belief that Cornell
did not commit suicide
110
00:05:23,116 --> 00:05:26,285
has taken hold across
all pop culture.
111
00:05:26,286 --> 00:05:28,537
Amateur investigators hit
the metaverse
112
00:05:28,538 --> 00:05:30,581
looking for answers.
113
00:05:30,582 --> 00:05:32,165
I remember Chris Cornell's death
114
00:05:32,166 --> 00:05:34,001
almost like it was yesterday.
115
00:05:34,002 --> 00:05:36,920
He's in the background of every
single happy memory of my youth.
116
00:05:36,921 --> 00:05:38,755
I'm Deanna Thompson,
117
00:05:38,756 --> 00:05:42,301
and I have been in information
technology for over 20 years.
118
00:05:42,302 --> 00:05:44,011
I have my Bachelor of Science
degree
119
00:05:44,012 --> 00:05:47,055
in information technology,
and I'm also an Internet sleuth.
120
00:05:47,056 --> 00:05:49,641
I spend time online trying
to get
121
00:05:49,642 --> 00:05:52,436
some sort of evidence
and information about crimes
122
00:05:52,437 --> 00:05:54,021
that have been committed
on the Internet.
123
00:05:54,022 --> 00:05:56,732
And usually, these are
for people or animals
124
00:05:56,733 --> 00:05:58,859
that normally would not
be getting attention.
125
00:05:58,860 --> 00:06:03,780
I have, like, this super
hyper fixation on injustice.
126
00:06:03,781 --> 00:06:06,491
I don't like when people
get away with things.
127
00:06:06,492 --> 00:06:09,953
The chatter online is that
Chris didn't kill himself.
128
00:06:09,954 --> 00:06:12,289
It made me want to try to get
to the bottom of it.
129
00:06:12,290 --> 00:06:13,875
Set the record straight.
130
00:06:16,753 --> 00:06:20,047
Jennifer Bucholtz is an author
and criminal investigator
131
00:06:20,048 --> 00:06:22,007
living in Colorado.
132
00:06:22,008 --> 00:06:24,635
My background is in Army
counterintelligence.
133
00:06:24,636 --> 00:06:28,305
I also have experience and
training in forensic science
134
00:06:28,306 --> 00:06:29,931
and criminal justice.
135
00:06:29,932 --> 00:06:32,976
I teach courses in both of those
at the university level.
136
00:06:32,977 --> 00:06:36,063
I'm a true crime author and I
am a criminal investigator
137
00:06:36,064 --> 00:06:38,357
for my local sheriff's
department.
138
00:06:38,358 --> 00:06:41,068
As an investigator who has
worked on many
139
00:06:41,069 --> 00:06:43,654
different types of death cases,
140
00:06:43,655 --> 00:06:45,864
this case really caught my eye
141
00:06:45,865 --> 00:06:49,576
because it's not
your typical suicide.
142
00:06:49,577 --> 00:06:52,454
What happened in those minutes
that made him flip the switch
143
00:06:52,455 --> 00:06:54,331
and decide to hang himself?
144
00:06:54,332 --> 00:06:57,793
I haven't been this pissed off
about a fake suicide cover up
145
00:06:57,794 --> 00:07:01,838
since... Kurt Cobain.
146
00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:04,216
For more than ten years,
investigative journalist
147
00:07:04,217 --> 00:07:07,844
Justin Ling has been analyzing
and debunking outlandish
148
00:07:07,845 --> 00:07:10,097
conspiracy theories online.
149
00:07:10,098 --> 00:07:14,059
He has made it his mission
to separate fact from fiction
150
00:07:14,060 --> 00:07:15,686
and find the truth.
151
00:07:15,687 --> 00:07:17,729
One thing I think every good
investigative journalist
152
00:07:17,730 --> 00:07:21,274
wants to do is to dig
into how systems can exploit
153
00:07:21,275 --> 00:07:23,319
and even destroy people.
154
00:07:27,615 --> 00:07:30,117
I love you guys up there
on the top shelf,
155
00:07:30,118 --> 00:07:33,286
but you got to stand up
and show me something.
156
00:07:33,287 --> 00:07:36,456
Cornell and Soundgarden played
to 5,000 fans in Detroit.
157
00:07:36,457 --> 00:07:37,916
They were performing
at the Fox Theater.
158
00:07:37,917 --> 00:07:39,793
The Fox Theater's like
a really famous theater.
159
00:07:39,794 --> 00:07:41,253
Got a lot of history
with Motown.
160
00:07:41,254 --> 00:07:44,548
It's really an iconic landmark
in Detroit.
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00:07:44,549 --> 00:07:46,425
According to band insiders,
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00:07:46,426 --> 00:07:48,468
the night started
like any other,
163
00:07:48,469 --> 00:07:52,389
and that Chris was his normal,
affable self before the show.
164
00:07:52,390 --> 00:07:54,933
But when they hit the stage
at 9:15 PM...
165
00:07:54,934 --> 00:07:57,269
- Thank you.
- ...something seems different.
166
00:07:57,270 --> 00:07:58,937
That's the spirit.
167
00:08:00,565 --> 00:08:03,316
Some fans who had seen him play
repeatedly said it seemed
168
00:08:03,317 --> 00:08:04,735
like he wasn't totally there.
169
00:08:04,736 --> 00:08:06,737
He is not singing correctly.
170
00:08:06,738 --> 00:08:10,824
He is missing key moments
of songs.
171
00:08:10,825 --> 00:08:12,826
- He's forgetting words.
- The band had to cover up
172
00:08:12,827 --> 00:08:14,745
when he just stopped singing.
173
00:08:14,746 --> 00:08:19,166
The singer's erratic behavior
doesn't go unnoticed on stage.
174
00:08:19,167 --> 00:08:22,002
The band mates even kind of,
like,
175
00:08:22,003 --> 00:08:24,713
were looking at each other,
like, "Should we stop?"
176
00:08:24,714 --> 00:08:26,965
The band manages to finish
the show,
177
00:08:26,966 --> 00:08:31,345
and at 11:30,
Cornell heads back to the hotel.
178
00:08:34,015 --> 00:08:37,476
And not long after he gets on
the phone with Vicki, his wife.
179
00:08:37,477 --> 00:08:39,561
According to a later interview
with her,
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00:08:39,562 --> 00:08:41,730
it is immediately apparent
to Vicki
181
00:08:41,731 --> 00:08:44,608
that something is not right
with her husband.
182
00:08:44,609 --> 00:08:48,153
He's groggy,
he's slurring his words,
183
00:08:48,154 --> 00:08:52,616
he's confused,
and it sets off alarm bells.
184
00:08:52,617 --> 00:08:53,867
And she says, "Chris,
what's going on?
185
00:08:53,868 --> 00:08:55,535
I'll fly out there.
186
00:08:55,536 --> 00:08:57,204
I'll be there
as soon as possible.
187
00:08:57,205 --> 00:08:59,164
What's going on?
Is everything okay?"
188
00:08:59,165 --> 00:09:00,665
And he says, "I'm just tired.
189
00:09:00,666 --> 00:09:02,918
I might have taken an extra
Ativan or two."
190
00:09:02,919 --> 00:09:05,545
There must have been something
that Vicki knew
191
00:09:05,546 --> 00:09:09,049
about Chris' history
that did raise alarms with her
192
00:09:09,050 --> 00:09:11,718
when she spoke
with him that night.
193
00:09:11,719 --> 00:09:13,094
After they hang up,
194
00:09:13,095 --> 00:09:15,222
Vicki is unable to shake
the feeling
195
00:09:15,223 --> 00:09:18,099
that something is seriously
wrong with Chris.
196
00:09:18,100 --> 00:09:23,063
So she calls back at 12:15,
but Chris doesn't answer.
197
00:09:23,064 --> 00:09:25,190
So she calls Martin,
his bodyguard, and says,
198
00:09:25,191 --> 00:09:26,691
"You know, I'm
a little worried about Chris.
199
00:09:26,692 --> 00:09:28,443
Could you please
go check on him?"
200
00:09:28,444 --> 00:09:32,447
The door is locked and latched,
meaning the key won't work.
201
00:09:32,448 --> 00:09:34,115
And security is like,
"Well, you know,
202
00:09:34,116 --> 00:09:35,450
you're not on the room.
203
00:09:35,451 --> 00:09:37,244
You're not...
We can't let you in."
204
00:09:37,245 --> 00:09:39,746
Martin relayed this information
to Vicki,
205
00:09:39,747 --> 00:09:41,916
and she asked him
to just kick in the door.
206
00:09:44,168 --> 00:09:46,294
He kicks down the door,
207
00:09:46,295 --> 00:09:49,798
walks in to find
the bathroom door closed.
208
00:09:49,799 --> 00:09:56,263
He sees the door to the
bathroom and the light's on.
209
00:09:56,264 --> 00:09:58,640
He said he could see
Chris' feet on the floor.
210
00:09:58,641 --> 00:10:00,058
Cornell's sitting on the floor.
211
00:10:00,059 --> 00:10:02,978
There's blood coming
from Cornell's mouth
212
00:10:02,979 --> 00:10:06,147
There's about
a 12-by-three-inch,
213
00:10:06,148 --> 00:10:08,859
like, strip of blood,
214
00:10:08,860 --> 00:10:12,153
and then up the bathroom tub,
215
00:10:12,154 --> 00:10:16,575
the bath,
there's, like, spray of blood.
216
00:10:16,576 --> 00:10:19,327
But perhaps most importantly,
there is also
217
00:10:19,328 --> 00:10:24,457
what seems to be a red band
wrapped around Cornell's throat.
218
00:10:24,458 --> 00:10:26,835
Is anyone doing CPR?
219
00:10:26,836 --> 00:10:28,795
Okay, so they found out
that the guest
220
00:10:28,796 --> 00:10:30,839
was attempting to hang himself.
221
00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:31,923
So they're trying
to get him down
222
00:10:31,924 --> 00:10:35,552
so they can assist with CPR.
223
00:10:35,553 --> 00:10:38,054
At 12:56 in the morning,
Dawn Jones,
224
00:10:38,055 --> 00:10:41,641
a medic for the MGM Hotel,
arrived to Chris' room.
225
00:10:41,642 --> 00:10:43,894
Dawn and Martin both attempted
226
00:10:43,895 --> 00:10:47,480
to remove the stretchy red band
from Chris' neck,
227
00:10:47,481 --> 00:10:51,151
and Dawn took over CPR
from Martin.
228
00:10:51,152 --> 00:10:54,195
But it's pretty clear
he's long gone.
229
00:10:54,196 --> 00:10:56,031
Paramedics arrived a little
after 1:00 AM.
230
00:10:56,032 --> 00:10:58,867
He's brought to hospital,
but pronounced dead by 1:30.
231
00:10:58,868 --> 00:11:01,661
Martin had actually told
Vicki the paramedics
232
00:11:01,662 --> 00:11:04,789
had declared
her husband Chris dead.
233
00:11:04,790 --> 00:11:06,333
Cornell's body is transferred
234
00:11:06,334 --> 00:11:08,793
to the Wayne County
medical examiner.
235
00:11:08,794 --> 00:11:12,172
And as people's fascination
with celebrities go,
236
00:11:12,173 --> 00:11:16,468
news of the tragedy
begins to leak online.
237
00:11:16,469 --> 00:11:19,346
But it is what happens
next that proves controversial
238
00:11:19,347 --> 00:11:20,931
to many observers.
239
00:11:20,932 --> 00:11:24,351
Less than 24 hours after
Cornell is pronounced dead,
240
00:11:24,352 --> 00:11:27,187
a preliminary autopsy
is released.
241
00:11:27,188 --> 00:11:29,731
The preliminary autopsy reports
list the cause of death
242
00:11:29,732 --> 00:11:31,358
as suicide by hanging.
243
00:11:31,359 --> 00:11:33,693
The report quickly hits
the Internet.
244
00:11:33,694 --> 00:11:35,862
And for those still
digesting the news,
245
00:11:35,863 --> 00:11:40,367
the speed of the announcement
is surprising.
246
00:11:40,368 --> 00:11:41,993
For the medical examiner
to come out
247
00:11:41,994 --> 00:11:45,121
and make a public statement
on the manner of death
248
00:11:45,122 --> 00:11:47,457
less than 24 hours
after somebody had passed away
249
00:11:47,458 --> 00:11:49,209
is a little out of the ordinary.
250
00:11:49,210 --> 00:11:50,961
There's no way that the police
had completed
251
00:11:50,962 --> 00:11:53,421
their full investigation
into Chris' death.
252
00:11:53,422 --> 00:11:56,549
Unhappy with the preliminary
autopsy results,
253
00:11:56,550 --> 00:11:59,511
Vicki Cornell disputes
the finding through a statement
254
00:11:59,512 --> 00:12:00,762
by her lawyer.
255
00:12:00,763 --> 00:12:02,305
She has said, "While the coroner
256
00:12:02,306 --> 00:12:04,474
does say this was a suicide,
we disagree.
257
00:12:04,475 --> 00:12:07,143
We think it's too soon
to call this a suicide."
258
00:12:07,144 --> 00:12:09,604
They were like, "Nothing's
even been investigated yet.
259
00:12:09,605 --> 00:12:10,981
What do you mean,
it was a suicide?"
260
00:12:10,982 --> 00:12:12,482
Like, that doesn't make sense.
261
00:12:12,483 --> 00:12:13,942
You have to like...
What was in his system?
262
00:12:13,943 --> 00:12:15,694
What happened?
263
00:12:15,695 --> 00:12:18,405
Vicki Cornell was especially
disturbed by the inference
264
00:12:18,406 --> 00:12:19,906
that Chris had knowingly
265
00:12:19,907 --> 00:12:23,243
and intentionally
taken his own life.
266
00:12:23,244 --> 00:12:25,954
It just seemed such an odd time
for him to go.
267
00:12:25,955 --> 00:12:27,497
"Yeah, okay.
I'm 52.
268
00:12:27,498 --> 00:12:29,082
I've lived this long.
I'm going to end it now."
269
00:12:29,083 --> 00:12:31,292
We need to look deeper
into those clues.
270
00:12:31,293 --> 00:12:32,877
Just didn't make any sense.
271
00:12:32,878 --> 00:12:34,796
There's blood at the scene,
his shirt is ripped.
272
00:12:34,797 --> 00:12:36,840
I want to get to the bottom
of it
273
00:12:36,841 --> 00:12:39,509
and I want to find out
what really happened.
274
00:12:39,510 --> 00:12:43,013
We have a rock star
who's at the top of his game.
275
00:12:43,014 --> 00:12:45,682
People like that don't
just die unexpectedly.
276
00:12:45,683 --> 00:12:47,308
Looking at the photos
of the hotel room,
277
00:12:47,309 --> 00:12:50,061
some people say the evidence
is not consistent
278
00:12:50,062 --> 00:12:51,563
with suicide by hanging.
279
00:12:51,564 --> 00:12:54,900
They really believe
that this was murder.
280
00:13:03,659 --> 00:13:08,204
I have a non-responsive guest
in the hotel.
281
00:13:08,205 --> 00:13:12,417
It's going to be a 50 year
old male inside of Room 1136.
282
00:13:12,418 --> 00:13:14,878
He's not breathing?
283
00:13:14,879 --> 00:13:17,922
Early morning, May 18th, 2017.
284
00:13:17,923 --> 00:13:20,341
Just a couple of hours
after performing a show
285
00:13:20,342 --> 00:13:23,511
in Detroit with his band
Soundgarden, rock star
286
00:13:23,512 --> 00:13:26,056
Chris Cornell
is found unresponsive
287
00:13:26,057 --> 00:13:28,725
on the bathroom floor
of his hotel room.
288
00:13:28,726 --> 00:13:32,729
His death is ruled a suicide
by hanging.
289
00:13:32,730 --> 00:13:36,066
When Chris Cornell died,
the death was suspicious
290
00:13:36,067 --> 00:13:38,735
because that
wasn't supposed to happen.
291
00:13:38,736 --> 00:13:40,487
My name is Mike Rothschild.
292
00:13:40,488 --> 00:13:43,656
I am a journalist and author
who studies conspiracy theories,
293
00:13:43,657 --> 00:13:45,450
hoaxes, and fringe beliefs.
294
00:13:45,451 --> 00:13:47,911
We have a rock star
who's at the top of his game.
295
00:13:47,912 --> 00:13:50,914
People like that don't
just die unexpectedly.
296
00:13:50,915 --> 00:13:53,583
2 hours before he
is pronounced dead,
297
00:13:53,584 --> 00:13:56,586
Chris has a phone conversation
with his wife, Vicki.
298
00:13:56,587 --> 00:14:00,340
She reports that he was
completely incoherent.
299
00:14:00,341 --> 00:14:03,009
Vicki stated Chris was slurring
his words
300
00:14:03,010 --> 00:14:04,385
in their last phone call,
301
00:14:04,386 --> 00:14:06,346
and then he sounded
incredibly sleepy.
302
00:14:06,347 --> 00:14:08,723
Her account and the actions
303
00:14:08,724 --> 00:14:11,643
he had to go through to
commit suicide don't match up.
304
00:14:11,644 --> 00:14:13,937
Something here is off.
305
00:14:13,938 --> 00:14:16,773
His name was popping up
everywhere
306
00:14:16,774 --> 00:14:19,609
on a whole bunch
of conspiracy message boards
307
00:14:19,610 --> 00:14:22,112
and social media pages
and chat rooms.
308
00:14:22,113 --> 00:14:26,449
QAnon had become absolutely
fixated on Chris Cornell's death
309
00:14:26,450 --> 00:14:30,620
and are convinced that it's
evidence of some deeper plot.
310
00:14:30,621 --> 00:14:33,456
They really believe
that this was murder.
311
00:14:33,457 --> 00:14:35,125
Looking at the photos
of the hotel room,
312
00:14:35,126 --> 00:14:37,877
some people say the evidence
is not consistent
313
00:14:37,878 --> 00:14:39,504
with suicide by hanging.
314
00:14:39,505 --> 00:14:41,297
While you're sleuthing
and you're watching videos
315
00:14:41,298 --> 00:14:43,716
and you're watching
conversations happen,
316
00:14:43,717 --> 00:14:46,636
there's other sleuths out there
who are looking at these photos
317
00:14:46,637 --> 00:14:48,221
and looking for
the same thing I am.
318
00:14:48,222 --> 00:14:50,932
They're looking for
inconsistencies in the room.
319
00:14:50,933 --> 00:14:52,517
Was there a struggle?
320
00:14:52,518 --> 00:14:54,978
On YouTube and TikTok,
321
00:14:54,979 --> 00:15:02,360
the blood spatter that's going
up the tub caused a huge ruckus.
322
00:15:02,361 --> 00:15:06,573
The bathroom floor, the blood
splatter from your head
323
00:15:06,574 --> 00:15:10,034
is, like, not on the right spot
of the floor where it should be.
324
00:15:10,035 --> 00:15:13,580
They also point to autopsy
evidence of what they believe
325
00:15:13,581 --> 00:15:16,374
to be excessive injury
to Chris' body.
326
00:15:16,375 --> 00:15:20,295
In Cornell's autopsy, reveals
that he has nine fractured ribs
327
00:15:20,296 --> 00:15:23,381
and Cornell's shirt was ripped
when he was found
328
00:15:23,382 --> 00:15:25,091
They're posing the question of
why would
329
00:15:25,092 --> 00:15:26,259
someone have a ripped shirt
330
00:15:26,260 --> 00:15:27,760
if they hanged themselves?
331
00:15:27,761 --> 00:15:29,804
Which again, adds credence
to this idea
332
00:15:29,805 --> 00:15:31,973
that there was a fight or
struggle just before his death.
333
00:15:31,974 --> 00:15:34,642
If he's in a physical
altercation with somebody
334
00:15:34,643 --> 00:15:37,187
and the other person
has some sort of weapon
335
00:15:37,188 --> 00:15:39,856
and Chris took a blow
to his chest,
336
00:15:39,857 --> 00:15:43,067
that could very well
have fractured some of his ribs.
337
00:15:43,068 --> 00:15:47,572
Fans all over the world begin
investigating the possibilities.
338
00:15:47,573 --> 00:15:49,199
When it comes to
any celebrity death,
339
00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:52,285
there's always a fan base
that sort of deputize themselves
340
00:15:52,286 --> 00:15:56,331
to dig into the death and see
if there's other things at play.
341
00:15:56,332 --> 00:15:58,791
What's really interesting
about Chris Cornell's death
342
00:15:58,792 --> 00:16:01,419
is that it's not his fans,
for the most part,
343
00:16:01,420 --> 00:16:03,755
who have been
trying to uncover these secrets.
344
00:16:03,756 --> 00:16:05,924
It's been this broader
conspiracy movement
345
00:16:05,925 --> 00:16:10,178
that's latched onto his death to
help propel their own theories.
346
00:16:10,179 --> 00:16:12,597
In this case, it's a movement
called QAnon,
347
00:16:12,598 --> 00:16:14,140
an online conspiracy group
348
00:16:14,141 --> 00:16:16,351
that peddles many
outrageous theories,
349
00:16:16,352 --> 00:16:19,604
like there's an elite ring
of celebrities and politicians
350
00:16:19,605 --> 00:16:21,773
who are trafficking children.
351
00:16:21,774 --> 00:16:24,567
This movement is rooted
in a 2016 thread
352
00:16:24,568 --> 00:16:27,153
on 4Chan dubbed Pizzagate.
353
00:16:27,154 --> 00:16:30,448
Pizzagate is a conspiracy
theory that arose right before
354
00:16:30,449 --> 00:16:31,908
the 2016 election,
355
00:16:31,909 --> 00:16:34,953
that Clinton campaign chair
John Podesta,
356
00:16:34,954 --> 00:16:37,455
Hillary Clinton,
and other DC elites
357
00:16:37,456 --> 00:16:39,749
were using
Comet Ping Pong Pizza,
358
00:16:39,750 --> 00:16:41,459
a real pizza place in DC,
359
00:16:41,460 --> 00:16:43,711
as their hub of
child trafficking.
360
00:16:43,712 --> 00:16:46,673
This idea absolutely takes
hold of a bunch of people
361
00:16:46,674 --> 00:16:48,424
who become absolutely convinced
362
00:16:48,425 --> 00:16:50,218
that there are two camps
of people...
363
00:16:50,219 --> 00:16:52,428
The evil child sex
trafficking Satanists
364
00:16:52,429 --> 00:16:54,305
and those who are trying
to stop them.
365
00:16:54,306 --> 00:16:57,141
On the good side is Donald Trump
and people around him.
366
00:16:57,142 --> 00:16:59,060
On the bad side
is Hillary Clinton
367
00:16:59,061 --> 00:17:01,938
and a whole raft of celebrities,
from Tom Hanks
368
00:17:01,939 --> 00:17:03,815
to Jeffrey Epstein.
369
00:17:03,816 --> 00:17:05,817
And with Chris Cornell's
situation,
370
00:17:05,818 --> 00:17:07,944
members of the conspiracy
theory movement
371
00:17:07,945 --> 00:17:10,822
are proposing one
particularly dark idea
372
00:17:10,823 --> 00:17:14,075
that begins to spread
online in Reddit forums.
373
00:17:14,076 --> 00:17:16,661
This theory goes that Cornell
was murdered
374
00:17:16,662 --> 00:17:18,663
because he was on the verge
of exposing
375
00:17:18,664 --> 00:17:21,958
a massive child sex
trafficking ring.
376
00:17:21,959 --> 00:17:25,253
And Cornell's death also
ignites a whole new conspiracy
377
00:17:25,254 --> 00:17:27,588
within the group's
faithful followers.
378
00:17:27,589 --> 00:17:29,340
While they're pretty sure
most celebrities
379
00:17:29,341 --> 00:17:32,010
are part of the conspiracy,
something really interesting
380
00:17:32,011 --> 00:17:34,178
happens after
Chris Cornell's death.
381
00:17:34,179 --> 00:17:36,848
They become absolutely fixated
on the idea
382
00:17:36,849 --> 00:17:38,641
that Cornell
was part of a project
383
00:17:38,642 --> 00:17:41,352
to expose this child sex
trafficking ring
384
00:17:41,353 --> 00:17:43,771
and bring all these Satanists
to justice.
385
00:17:43,772 --> 00:17:46,274
In the darker corners
of the Web,
386
00:17:46,275 --> 00:17:50,278
Chris Cornell's death was not
a suicide, but a murder.
387
00:17:50,279 --> 00:17:51,821
He was suicided.
388
00:17:51,822 --> 00:17:55,158
He was taken out and made
it look like a suicide.
389
00:17:55,159 --> 00:17:57,952
QAnon believers and other
conspiracy believers
390
00:17:57,953 --> 00:18:01,289
think that Chris Cornell
was taken out
391
00:18:01,290 --> 00:18:03,541
because of his funding
or his involvement
392
00:18:03,542 --> 00:18:06,461
with a documentary
on human trafficking called
393
00:18:06,462 --> 00:18:08,129
"The Silent Children".
394
00:18:08,130 --> 00:18:10,381
This theory also links
Cornell's death
395
00:18:10,382 --> 00:18:12,925
to that of other celebrities.
396
00:18:12,926 --> 00:18:16,971
This one blog is probably
the most popular QAnon blog
397
00:18:16,972 --> 00:18:22,060
out there that has dubbed
the whole thing Suicide Weekend.
398
00:18:22,061 --> 00:18:25,730
So apparently, because the
deaths of Anthony Bourdain,
399
00:18:25,731 --> 00:18:27,523
Kate Spade, Chris Cornell,
400
00:18:27,524 --> 00:18:29,609
Chester Bennington all kind
of happened in the same time,
401
00:18:29,610 --> 00:18:31,736
usually around weekends,
402
00:18:31,737 --> 00:18:34,238
they've decided it's impossible
that it's a coincidence.
403
00:18:34,239 --> 00:18:35,907
People start looking
for a pattern.
404
00:18:35,908 --> 00:18:37,825
They start to look for culprits
405
00:18:37,826 --> 00:18:40,244
who are taking out
multiple people,
406
00:18:40,245 --> 00:18:42,663
than multiple people
taking their own lives
407
00:18:42,664 --> 00:18:44,749
who really don't have
anything to do with each other
408
00:18:44,750 --> 00:18:46,667
other than
their manner of death.
409
00:18:46,668 --> 00:18:51,589
Must be part of this evil plot
from the Illuminati Deep State.
410
00:18:51,590 --> 00:18:53,049
They even have a clock here
411
00:18:53,050 --> 00:18:55,176
that's like a calendar
of all these dates.
412
00:18:55,177 --> 00:18:58,846
Apparently proves that this
is just an effort
413
00:18:58,847 --> 00:19:00,807
to take out their critics.
414
00:19:00,808 --> 00:19:03,267
This idea that both Chester
Bennington and Chris Cornell
415
00:19:03,268 --> 00:19:05,269
were killed
by the Deep State elites
416
00:19:05,270 --> 00:19:08,314
becomes incredibly popular
in some of these circles.
417
00:19:08,315 --> 00:19:10,983
We're talking about posts that
are regularly racking up tens,
418
00:19:10,984 --> 00:19:13,611
hundreds of thousands of views,
maybe into the millions.
419
00:19:13,612 --> 00:19:19,325
Every QAnon adjacent sect
believes this to be true.
420
00:19:19,326 --> 00:19:21,994
Chris Cornell was an extremely
well-known figure.
421
00:19:21,995 --> 00:19:23,663
He was a famous musician.
422
00:19:23,664 --> 00:19:26,207
He was a literal rock star,
very well-known person,
423
00:19:26,208 --> 00:19:27,708
very well known music,
424
00:19:27,709 --> 00:19:30,253
and so the feeling
among conspiracy believers
425
00:19:30,254 --> 00:19:33,548
is if he's involved in something
and they kill him off,
426
00:19:33,549 --> 00:19:35,466
this is going to scare
other people away.
427
00:19:35,467 --> 00:19:38,636
This is a message from the from
the deep state, from the Cabal.
428
00:19:38,637 --> 00:19:40,263
"Don't be involved in this.
429
00:19:40,264 --> 00:19:43,141
If we could get a rock star,
we can get you, too."
430
00:19:43,142 --> 00:19:47,145
Two years later, a high profile
arrest reconnects Cornell
431
00:19:47,146 --> 00:19:51,149
to this supposed cabal
of Deep State pedophiles.
432
00:19:51,150 --> 00:19:53,734
When Epstein was arrested,
433
00:19:53,735 --> 00:19:56,654
the volume of theories about him
434
00:19:56,655 --> 00:19:59,782
and about what he had done
became deafening.
435
00:19:59,783 --> 00:20:01,451
And there were people
who thought that he was
436
00:20:01,452 --> 00:20:03,035
implicated himself
in these crimes.
437
00:20:03,036 --> 00:20:04,704
There were people who thought
he was there
438
00:20:04,705 --> 00:20:07,748
and gave the orders or
directly killed Chris Cornell.
439
00:20:07,749 --> 00:20:12,253
Jeffrey Epstein's infamy
as a sexual deviant,
440
00:20:12,254 --> 00:20:15,173
as a powerful individual
with lots
441
00:20:15,174 --> 00:20:17,216
and lots of powerful friends,
442
00:20:17,217 --> 00:20:20,845
has played into this narrative
really well
443
00:20:20,846 --> 00:20:24,682
because it's as though
if you're looking for a villain,
444
00:20:24,683 --> 00:20:27,185
you couldn't create a better
one than Jeffrey Epstein.
445
00:20:27,186 --> 00:20:29,270
While proponents of this
farfetched theory
446
00:20:29,271 --> 00:20:33,357
maintain that Chris Cornell
had enemies who wanted him dead,
447
00:20:33,358 --> 00:20:36,028
there seems to be
no physical proof.
448
00:20:39,656 --> 00:20:43,075
Another possible explanation
for his sudden death emerges,
449
00:20:43,076 --> 00:20:45,328
and the clues can be found
in Cornell's
450
00:20:45,329 --> 00:20:50,708
own bizarre behavior
the night of May 17th, 2017.
451
00:20:50,709 --> 00:20:53,044
There are photos and videos
of him
452
00:20:53,045 --> 00:20:54,545
performing on stage that night,
453
00:20:54,546 --> 00:20:56,547
and some of those show
the back of his head,
454
00:20:56,548 --> 00:20:58,883
where there appears
to be an anomaly.
455
00:20:58,884 --> 00:21:04,639
I did read some information
that Chris Cornell
456
00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:07,433
had hit his head
at the Fox Theater.
457
00:21:07,434 --> 00:21:12,146
I don't know why this supposed
head injury
458
00:21:12,147 --> 00:21:14,775
was not mentioned
in the autopsy report.
459
00:21:21,573 --> 00:21:23,200
Hi, sweetheart.
460
00:21:31,083 --> 00:21:32,667
I bore her with this at home.
461
00:21:41,969 --> 00:21:43,928
In my experience
as an investigator,
462
00:21:43,929 --> 00:21:47,139
photos are always
incredibly valuable to me.
463
00:21:47,140 --> 00:21:49,183
And the photos of Chris'
hotel room
464
00:21:49,184 --> 00:21:51,227
were of great interest.
465
00:21:51,228 --> 00:21:53,729
There were a couple of photos
from the bathroom
466
00:21:53,730 --> 00:21:55,815
where Chris' body was found.
467
00:21:55,816 --> 00:21:58,067
Laying on the floor with some
kind of stretchy red band
468
00:21:58,068 --> 00:22:00,027
around his neck,
which helped me understand
469
00:22:00,028 --> 00:22:02,530
how much blood Chris
actually lost.
470
00:22:02,531 --> 00:22:05,866
To many online, the volume of
blood found in the bathroom
471
00:22:05,867 --> 00:22:09,203
appears inconsistent
with hanging.
472
00:22:09,204 --> 00:22:12,415
Another theory begins
circulating on the Internet.
473
00:22:12,416 --> 00:22:16,586
Cornell may have suffered
head trauma earlier in the day.
474
00:22:16,587 --> 00:22:19,964
This theory takes hold
amongst many online detectives,
475
00:22:19,965 --> 00:22:23,217
and it revolves around
his reportedly bizarre behavior
476
00:22:23,218 --> 00:22:25,011
earlier that evening.
477
00:22:25,012 --> 00:22:27,930
Behavior that seemed
to change suddenly,
478
00:22:27,931 --> 00:22:31,434
just before he hit
the stage at 9:15.
479
00:22:31,435 --> 00:22:34,186
Several of the stagehands,
and not just one,
480
00:22:34,187 --> 00:22:35,605
talked about it.
481
00:22:35,606 --> 00:22:37,231
That he was not doing well
at that show.
482
00:22:37,232 --> 00:22:38,774
During sound check, he was fine.
483
00:22:38,775 --> 00:22:40,610
So something happened
from soundcheck
484
00:22:40,611 --> 00:22:44,447
to when the show
started that things changed.
485
00:22:44,448 --> 00:22:46,282
So what changed?
486
00:22:46,283 --> 00:22:48,117
Well, some think that the answer
487
00:22:48,118 --> 00:22:51,871
lies in footage of Cornell's
performance earlier that night.
488
00:22:51,872 --> 00:22:53,581
There are photos and videos
of him
489
00:22:53,582 --> 00:22:55,625
performing on stage
that night with his band,
490
00:22:55,626 --> 00:22:57,793
and some of those show
the back of his head
491
00:22:57,794 --> 00:23:00,463
where there appears
to be an anomaly.
492
00:23:00,464 --> 00:23:02,298
This video sends
Internet sleuths
493
00:23:02,299 --> 00:23:04,467
and armchair detectives online
494
00:23:04,468 --> 00:23:06,385
to begin
trying to piece together
495
00:23:06,386 --> 00:23:10,056
what exactly could have happened
the night Chris Cornell died.
496
00:23:10,057 --> 00:23:12,975
And one thing in particular
stands out.
497
00:23:12,976 --> 00:23:15,186
I found a topic that a lot
of people
498
00:23:15,187 --> 00:23:16,687
have been talking about online,
499
00:23:16,688 --> 00:23:18,648
and that's the theory,
that he may have suffered
500
00:23:18,649 --> 00:23:21,275
a head injury
the night of his death.
501
00:23:21,276 --> 00:23:25,446
But the fact that none of this
was noted or documented
502
00:23:25,447 --> 00:23:28,407
must provoke us to question.
503
00:23:28,408 --> 00:23:33,954
I did read some information
that Chris Cornell
504
00:23:33,955 --> 00:23:37,083
had hit his head
at the Fox Theater.
505
00:23:37,084 --> 00:23:40,294
But it's something much more
definitive than an unclear video
506
00:23:40,295 --> 00:23:42,713
recording that points
to head trauma
507
00:23:42,714 --> 00:23:45,508
as a possible factor
in the singer's death.
508
00:23:45,509 --> 00:23:48,094
I found a report from one
of the paramedics
509
00:23:48,095 --> 00:23:50,012
that responded to his hotel room
510
00:23:50,013 --> 00:23:52,973
saying they called it
in over the radio,
511
00:23:52,974 --> 00:23:54,975
that he had a head injury.
512
00:23:54,976 --> 00:23:58,854
P order, EMS's are roughly...
Possible head injury.
513
00:23:58,855 --> 00:24:02,692
- Trauma to the back of the head.
- You guys hear it.
514
00:24:02,693 --> 00:24:04,610
This was mentioned to the EMT
515
00:24:04,611 --> 00:24:06,612
that there was trauma
to the back of the head.
516
00:24:06,613 --> 00:24:08,739
Yet on the autopsy report,
517
00:24:08,740 --> 00:24:12,284
none of this was reported
in the initial findings.
518
00:24:12,285 --> 00:24:14,662
Chris' wife, Vicki,
added some fuel to this theory
519
00:24:14,663 --> 00:24:17,957
because she actually said
she felt it was very clear
520
00:24:17,958 --> 00:24:20,835
that there was a sizable gash
on the back of his head.
521
00:24:20,836 --> 00:24:23,254
Despite appearing
in the paramedics report,
522
00:24:23,255 --> 00:24:27,299
there is no mention of head
trauma in the official autopsy.
523
00:24:27,300 --> 00:24:31,929
I don't know why this supposed
head injury
524
00:24:31,930 --> 00:24:34,557
was not mentioned
in the autopsy report.
525
00:24:34,558 --> 00:24:37,184
And the room where Chris' body
was later found
526
00:24:37,185 --> 00:24:40,229
also supports the possibility
of head trauma.
527
00:24:40,230 --> 00:24:41,897
We know it's a fact
that some blood
528
00:24:41,898 --> 00:24:44,358
was found on the bathroom floor
of Chris' bathroom
529
00:24:44,359 --> 00:24:47,027
where he was found hanging.
530
00:24:47,028 --> 00:24:50,239
This does lend to the theory
of a head injury.
531
00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:52,491
One theory holds that Cornell
could have fallen
532
00:24:52,492 --> 00:24:56,287
sometime prior to the concert
and suffered a concussion.
533
00:24:56,288 --> 00:24:58,080
That sort of injury
might explain
534
00:24:58,081 --> 00:25:02,168
his widely reported strange
behavior on stage that night
535
00:25:02,169 --> 00:25:05,463
and possibly what happens
after the show.
536
00:25:05,464 --> 00:25:09,800
And then because his brain
was not functioning correctly
537
00:25:09,801 --> 00:25:11,135
and he had suffered a concussion
538
00:25:11,136 --> 00:25:14,722
and basically
a traumatic brain injury,
539
00:25:14,723 --> 00:25:18,058
did that somehow lead him
to commit suicide?
540
00:25:18,059 --> 00:25:20,644
In fact,
according to researchers,
541
00:25:20,645 --> 00:25:22,521
the risk of suicidal thoughts
542
00:25:22,522 --> 00:25:25,900
tripled after sustaining
a traumatic brain injury.
543
00:25:25,901 --> 00:25:30,237
The only way to know for sure if
a head injury did in fact exist
544
00:25:30,238 --> 00:25:32,156
would be to exhume the body,
545
00:25:32,157 --> 00:25:35,159
an idea rejected
by the Cornell family.
546
00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:37,828
Still, the debate over
the Soundgarden singer's death
547
00:25:37,829 --> 00:25:41,373
continues to rage,
and some sleuths believe
548
00:25:41,374 --> 00:25:43,751
they may finally have
enough information
549
00:25:43,752 --> 00:25:47,004
to answer some of
the most burning questions.
550
00:25:47,005 --> 00:25:50,299
My goal in this was trying
to figure out
551
00:25:50,300 --> 00:25:53,969
did Ativan contribute
to Chris Cornell's death?
552
00:25:53,970 --> 00:25:57,223
And I took it really personally
because I'm an Ativan user.
553
00:25:57,224 --> 00:25:59,600
Vicki said he was overusing
the drug.
554
00:25:59,601 --> 00:26:02,353
She said he was taking upwards
of 20 pills
555
00:26:02,354 --> 00:26:04,313
over the course
of about a week and a half.
556
00:26:04,314 --> 00:26:06,857
Vicki stated that
he had changed.
557
00:26:06,858 --> 00:26:08,651
He started forgetting things.
558
00:26:08,652 --> 00:26:10,444
He was a different person,
559
00:26:10,445 --> 00:26:12,196
and that was the year
before he died.
560
00:26:12,197 --> 00:26:14,824
When somebody has a substance
use disorder
561
00:26:14,825 --> 00:26:16,408
and they are misusing
substances,
562
00:26:16,409 --> 00:26:18,118
that places them at higher risk
563
00:26:18,119 --> 00:26:20,080
for having suicidal behavior.
564
00:26:29,256 --> 00:26:32,341
In 2017, rock icon Chris Cornell
565
00:26:32,342 --> 00:26:34,134
is found dead and bloodied
566
00:26:34,135 --> 00:26:37,972
in his Detroit hotel room
after a sold out concert.
567
00:26:37,973 --> 00:26:39,473
Within 24 hours,
568
00:26:39,474 --> 00:26:43,310
the local coroner
declares his death a suicide.
569
00:26:43,311 --> 00:26:47,940
But his family, friends,
and diehard fans don't buy it.
570
00:26:47,941 --> 00:26:50,442
In fact, they are 100% certain
571
00:26:50,443 --> 00:26:53,696
that Cornell would never
have committed suicide.
572
00:26:53,697 --> 00:26:57,825
Whenever there's a suicide,
we're left with wondering
573
00:26:57,826 --> 00:27:00,995
whether there was
any foul play involved.
574
00:27:00,996 --> 00:27:04,123
As rumors swirl and theories
begin to formulate,
575
00:27:04,124 --> 00:27:05,916
there is
one possible explanation
576
00:27:05,917 --> 00:27:09,503
that seems to gain steam online
and in the tabloids.
577
00:27:09,504 --> 00:27:11,422
It's being driven by Chris'
struggles
578
00:27:11,423 --> 00:27:13,173
with addiction and depression.
579
00:27:13,174 --> 00:27:14,842
Struggles that had plagued him
580
00:27:14,843 --> 00:27:16,927
for the better part
of three decades
581
00:27:16,928 --> 00:27:20,347
and began before
he was ever in a band.
582
00:27:20,348 --> 00:27:27,146
I was having a pretty hard time
struggling with substance abuse
583
00:27:27,147 --> 00:27:29,023
and an addiction that I didn't
think was ever going
584
00:27:29,024 --> 00:27:31,233
to really affect me.
585
00:27:31,234 --> 00:27:34,194
I didn't think I would ever be
someone that had that problem,
586
00:27:34,195 --> 00:27:35,988
and then I did.
587
00:27:35,989 --> 00:27:39,533
Chris Cornell admitted to using
some pretty heavy duty drugs.
588
00:27:39,534 --> 00:27:43,245
He said he was using PCP
as young as 13 or 14.
589
00:27:43,246 --> 00:27:47,207
As a result of his drug use,
Chris spirals into depression.
590
00:27:47,208 --> 00:27:52,004
He drops out of school and
almost never leaves his house.
591
00:27:52,005 --> 00:27:54,006
Chris talked about
his depression often.
592
00:27:54,007 --> 00:27:56,383
It was such a part
of who he was.
593
00:27:56,384 --> 00:28:00,512
He basically stayed in his
bedroom for almost two years.
594
00:28:00,513 --> 00:28:04,016
So from 14 to 16 at a really,
really important age
595
00:28:04,017 --> 00:28:07,770
for young men,
he was agoraphobic,
596
00:28:07,771 --> 00:28:11,982
and I think that
that really shaped his mind.
597
00:28:11,983 --> 00:28:15,277
Cornell turns to music
to help him fit in.
598
00:28:15,278 --> 00:28:17,529
Music was always something
599
00:28:17,530 --> 00:28:19,281
that was really
important to him.
600
00:28:19,282 --> 00:28:22,576
It seemed to be what brought him
together with other people.
601
00:28:22,577 --> 00:28:25,829
The results are astounding.
602
00:28:25,830 --> 00:28:27,706
And in 1984,
603
00:28:27,707 --> 00:28:31,543
Cornell becomes the frontman
of the band Soundgarden.
604
00:28:31,544 --> 00:28:35,422
Dubbed by one music journalist
as music's most lethal genre,
605
00:28:35,423 --> 00:28:37,633
the grunge music scene
is a dangerous place
606
00:28:37,634 --> 00:28:41,095
for anyone with a history
of depression or addiction,
607
00:28:41,096 --> 00:28:43,889
and has lost many
iconic stars to drugs,
608
00:28:43,890 --> 00:28:46,392
including Alice in Chains'
Layne Staley
609
00:28:46,393 --> 00:28:49,603
and Stone Temple Pilots
frontman Scott Weiland.
610
00:28:49,604 --> 00:28:53,983
And in 1990, Chris is personally
touched by the dangers of heroin
611
00:28:53,984 --> 00:28:56,777
when he loses his roommate
and close friend,
612
00:28:56,778 --> 00:29:00,614
grunge pioneer Andrew Wood,
to an overdose.
613
00:29:00,615 --> 00:29:02,741
If he had survived,
he would have been
614
00:29:02,742 --> 00:29:04,660
probably the biggest rock star
on this planet.
615
00:29:04,661 --> 00:29:06,078
His band, Mother Love Bone,
616
00:29:06,079 --> 00:29:08,080
was actually the precursor
to Pearl Jam.
617
00:29:08,081 --> 00:29:10,541
Chris was devastated.
618
00:29:10,542 --> 00:29:13,168
12 years after his
friend's death,
619
00:29:13,169 --> 00:29:15,087
Chris' own struggle
with addiction
620
00:29:15,088 --> 00:29:17,631
is reaching a breaking point.
621
00:29:17,632 --> 00:29:21,427
And in 2002, his bandmates
in the newly formed group
622
00:29:21,428 --> 00:29:25,556
Audioslave become so concerned
for Chris' well-being
623
00:29:25,557 --> 00:29:28,892
that they convince him
to finally enter rehab.
624
00:29:28,893 --> 00:29:31,186
After successfully
completing his rehab,
625
00:29:31,187 --> 00:29:34,398
Cornell remained sober
for 14 years.
626
00:29:34,399 --> 00:29:37,401
So now I get to be that person
that someone else can look at
627
00:29:37,402 --> 00:29:38,944
as an example and go,
"Oh, yeah, wow.
628
00:29:38,945 --> 00:29:40,821
Well, if he did it
and made it happen,
629
00:29:40,822 --> 00:29:42,281
then I guess I can."
630
00:29:42,282 --> 00:29:43,615
By the mid 2000s, Chris Cornell
631
00:29:43,616 --> 00:29:45,367
had basically
kicked drugs and alcohol.
632
00:29:45,368 --> 00:29:48,287
He even stopped smoking
and was living a sober lifestyle
633
00:29:48,288 --> 00:29:51,457
and said he was
really happy with it.
634
00:29:51,458 --> 00:29:55,127
Speculation spreads online
that Cornell had a relapse,
635
00:29:55,128 --> 00:29:58,756
and the same illegal drugs
he spent the last 14 years
636
00:29:58,757 --> 00:30:01,759
trying to avoid
seeped back into his life
637
00:30:01,760 --> 00:30:04,470
and may have ended it.
638
00:30:04,471 --> 00:30:06,305
According to the initial report,
639
00:30:06,306 --> 00:30:09,349
there were no illegal drugs
found in Cornell's system,
640
00:30:09,350 --> 00:30:12,311
a fact that causes many
to exhale.
641
00:30:12,312 --> 00:30:15,397
I was expecting to read
the articles
642
00:30:15,398 --> 00:30:17,483
and see, you know,
drug paraphernalia were found,
643
00:30:17,484 --> 00:30:19,651
was found in the room,
and, you know, there...
644
00:30:19,652 --> 00:30:21,904
It was probably
an accidental overdose.
645
00:30:21,905 --> 00:30:23,447
There was nothing like that.
646
00:30:23,448 --> 00:30:25,449
But the report did find evidence
647
00:30:25,450 --> 00:30:27,076
of other drugs in his system,
648
00:30:27,077 --> 00:30:29,495
legal ones,
including barbiturates,
649
00:30:29,496 --> 00:30:31,497
caffeine, and Lorazepam,
650
00:30:31,498 --> 00:30:36,001
also known as Ativan,
a common anti-anxiety drug.
651
00:30:36,002 --> 00:30:38,295
Indeed, on the night he dies,
652
00:30:38,296 --> 00:30:42,174
Cornell tells his wife
that he has taken extra Ativan.
653
00:30:42,175 --> 00:30:44,218
Lorazepam
is a type of medication
654
00:30:44,219 --> 00:30:46,303
in the benzodiazepine family.
655
00:30:46,304 --> 00:30:48,555
This family is a family
of medications
656
00:30:48,556 --> 00:30:51,642
that were known as sedative,
hypnotic medications.
657
00:30:51,643 --> 00:30:56,021
They are used to help people
sleep or treat their anxiety.
658
00:30:56,022 --> 00:30:59,817
Used properly, Ativan is not
considered to be dangerous.
659
00:30:59,818 --> 00:31:01,777
But according to his own wife,
660
00:31:01,778 --> 00:31:05,322
Cornell's usage went well
beyond doctor's orders.
661
00:31:05,323 --> 00:31:07,699
Vicki said he was
overusing the drug.
662
00:31:07,700 --> 00:31:10,494
She said he was taking
upwards of 20 pills
663
00:31:10,495 --> 00:31:12,412
over the course of
about a week and a half.
664
00:31:12,413 --> 00:31:14,873
Vicki stated that
he had changed.
665
00:31:14,874 --> 00:31:16,750
He started forgetting things.
666
00:31:16,751 --> 00:31:18,544
He was a different person.
667
00:31:18,545 --> 00:31:20,212
And that was the year
before he died.
668
00:31:20,213 --> 00:31:22,381
Shortly after his death,
Cornell's wife,
669
00:31:22,382 --> 00:31:24,174
Vicki, issues a statement,
670
00:31:24,175 --> 00:31:27,553
insisting that Chris could not
have been in his right mind
671
00:31:27,554 --> 00:31:30,180
and suggests that it was Ativan
672
00:31:30,181 --> 00:31:32,766
that led the singer
to hang himself.
673
00:31:32,767 --> 00:31:35,727
My goal in this
was trying to figure out,
674
00:31:35,728 --> 00:31:39,231
did Ativan contribute
to Chris Cornell's death?
675
00:31:39,232 --> 00:31:42,901
And I took it really personally
because I'm an Ativan user.
676
00:31:42,902 --> 00:31:46,071
So I simply searched for
benzodiazepine,
677
00:31:46,072 --> 00:31:48,073
suicidal thoughts Reddit
678
00:31:48,074 --> 00:31:49,825
because Reddit will have
a lot of personal stories,
679
00:31:49,826 --> 00:31:51,743
and I found
a thread immediately.
680
00:31:51,744 --> 00:31:54,413
It talks about people
experiencing suicidal thoughts
681
00:31:54,414 --> 00:31:56,415
while they have been on benzos.
682
00:31:56,416 --> 00:31:59,835
Is it possible the extra Ativan
pushed him over the edge?
683
00:31:59,836 --> 00:32:03,213
I think that Ativan might
have triggered
684
00:32:03,214 --> 00:32:06,800
some addict's chemical
in his brain.
685
00:32:06,801 --> 00:32:11,096
Chris Cornell's wife reported
that he was slurring his speech.
686
00:32:11,097 --> 00:32:15,100
In general, that can be a side
effect of taking too much Ativan
687
00:32:15,101 --> 00:32:17,811
and taking too much of them
can have side effects.
688
00:32:17,812 --> 00:32:20,898
These side effects can include
being disinhibited,
689
00:32:20,899 --> 00:32:23,775
losing kind of the executive
function of your brain,
690
00:32:23,776 --> 00:32:25,485
maybe causing you
to make decisions
691
00:32:25,486 --> 00:32:26,987
that are not well thought out.
692
00:32:26,988 --> 00:32:29,698
Martin clearly stated
that he gave Chris
693
00:32:29,699 --> 00:32:32,117
the two nightly Ativan pills,
but we don't know
694
00:32:32,118 --> 00:32:34,536
where the additional
Ativan pills were kept.
695
00:32:34,537 --> 00:32:36,330
Often when individuals
are struggling
696
00:32:36,331 --> 00:32:39,499
with suicidal thoughts,
when they become disinhibited,
697
00:32:39,500 --> 00:32:41,168
when they have substances
in their system,
698
00:32:41,169 --> 00:32:43,045
they may be grappling
699
00:32:43,046 --> 00:32:45,714
and fighting between themselves
of doing it and not doing it.
700
00:32:45,715 --> 00:32:48,467
This may increase the likelihood
that they actually carry it out
701
00:32:48,468 --> 00:32:50,636
or take actions
and make an attempt.
702
00:32:50,637 --> 00:32:53,597
But as people begin to dig
into Ativan,
703
00:32:53,598 --> 00:32:55,390
they find many people
are struggling
704
00:32:55,391 --> 00:32:57,559
with the prescription drug
in the same way
705
00:32:57,560 --> 00:32:59,478
Cornell may have.
706
00:32:59,479 --> 00:33:03,982
I found story after story
after story of people
707
00:33:03,983 --> 00:33:09,029
that are asking questions like,
"I want to get off my Ativan
708
00:33:09,030 --> 00:33:12,366
and I'm struggling
with suicidal thoughts."
709
00:33:12,367 --> 00:33:14,117
Vicki Cornell and her family
710
00:33:14,118 --> 00:33:17,329
also began researching
the prescription drug.
711
00:33:17,330 --> 00:33:22,251
They found when you either
overdose Ativan
712
00:33:22,252 --> 00:33:26,755
or when you withdrawal from it,
it can cause suicidal thoughts.
713
00:33:26,756 --> 00:33:29,341
After learning more about
the drug's possible connection
714
00:33:29,342 --> 00:33:30,592
to suicide,
715
00:33:30,593 --> 00:33:32,636
Vicki Cornell hires
a medical expert
716
00:33:32,637 --> 00:33:34,388
to see if she can prove
717
00:33:34,389 --> 00:33:38,517
that drugs did indeed play
a part in her husband's death.
718
00:33:38,518 --> 00:33:40,894
She alleges that Ativan
had something to do
719
00:33:40,895 --> 00:33:44,189
with the state of mind,
to put him in the frame of mind
720
00:33:44,190 --> 00:33:46,191
that he would want
to commit suicide.
721
00:33:46,192 --> 00:33:49,027
Over time, individuals
can develop tolerance,
722
00:33:49,028 --> 00:33:51,363
meaning that they have to take
greater quantities
723
00:33:51,364 --> 00:33:53,365
of the medication
to get the effect.
724
00:33:53,366 --> 00:33:55,075
And when they stop
the medication,
725
00:33:55,076 --> 00:33:57,286
they can actually feel
withdrawal symptoms.
726
00:33:57,287 --> 00:33:59,871
That can be life threatening.
727
00:33:59,872 --> 00:34:01,873
After doing his
own investigation,
728
00:34:01,874 --> 00:34:04,918
Dr. Richard Cote
of the Department of Pathology
729
00:34:04,919 --> 00:34:06,670
at the University of Miami
730
00:34:06,671 --> 00:34:08,922
comes to a very
different conclusion
731
00:34:08,923 --> 00:34:10,924
than the Wayne County coroner.
732
00:34:10,925 --> 00:34:13,052
He issues a statement saying...
733
00:34:33,114 --> 00:34:37,492
In November 2018, Vicki Cornell
sues Dr. Robert Koblin,
734
00:34:37,493 --> 00:34:40,829
claiming he negligently
and repeatedly prescribed
735
00:34:40,830 --> 00:34:44,541
Cornell dangerous, mind altering
controlled substances,
736
00:34:44,542 --> 00:34:48,128
which ultimately led
to the singer's death.
737
00:34:48,129 --> 00:34:50,964
Details of the settlement
are not released.
738
00:34:50,965 --> 00:34:54,009
But many believe it is
further proof that drugs led
739
00:34:54,010 --> 00:34:56,595
Chris to commit suicide.
740
00:34:56,596 --> 00:34:59,181
Oftentimes, when people actually
741
00:34:59,182 --> 00:35:00,974
go through the act of suicide,
742
00:35:00,975 --> 00:35:02,934
substances may be involved,
743
00:35:02,935 --> 00:35:06,229
and maybe those substances
are things that are pushing them
744
00:35:06,230 --> 00:35:07,856
a little bit further
towards that action
745
00:35:07,857 --> 00:35:09,358
and then they actually end up
746
00:35:09,359 --> 00:35:10,901
killing themselves
or attempting.
747
00:35:10,902 --> 00:35:13,945
Without that Ativan,
I 100% believe
748
00:35:13,946 --> 00:35:16,156
Chris Cornell
would be alive today.
749
00:35:16,157 --> 00:35:19,868
The problem with suicide
is it never makes sense, right?
750
00:35:19,869 --> 00:35:24,122
But when you're predisposed
to addiction and depression
751
00:35:24,123 --> 00:35:26,500
and then you add
on top of that the Ativan
752
00:35:26,501 --> 00:35:28,627
with the underlying thoughts
753
00:35:28,628 --> 00:35:30,462
that maybe you wouldn't
have normally,
754
00:35:30,463 --> 00:35:33,131
it makes sense for me that
Chris Cornell killed himself.
755
00:35:33,132 --> 00:35:35,550
The drugs may have actually
impaired his judgment
756
00:35:35,551 --> 00:35:37,094
and led him to do something
757
00:35:37,095 --> 00:35:38,512
that he would not
have otherwise done,
758
00:35:38,513 --> 00:35:40,598
which makes it
all the more tragic.
759
00:35:49,399 --> 00:35:53,026
To many fans, celebrities
are not just performers.
760
00:35:53,027 --> 00:35:54,861
They become part of our lives.
761
00:35:54,862 --> 00:35:57,823
And the speculation
over Chris Cornell's death
762
00:35:57,824 --> 00:36:00,534
stems from a common
feeling among family,
763
00:36:00,535 --> 00:36:02,702
friends, and fans alike.
764
00:36:02,703 --> 00:36:05,914
They are in disbelief
that the famous rock star
765
00:36:05,915 --> 00:36:07,707
would have committed suicide.
766
00:36:07,708 --> 00:36:11,211
We don't want to believe that
Chris Cornell took his own life.
767
00:36:11,212 --> 00:36:15,507
We want to believe that a
powerful force took him from us.
768
00:36:15,508 --> 00:36:18,844
Online chat rooms are abuzz
with details from the scene
769
00:36:18,845 --> 00:36:22,514
that seem to suggest foul play.
770
00:36:22,515 --> 00:36:25,183
If he's in a physical
altercation with somebody,
771
00:36:25,184 --> 00:36:27,060
he could suffer broken ribs.
772
00:36:27,061 --> 00:36:29,062
In reading Chris' autopsy
report,
773
00:36:29,063 --> 00:36:32,065
I discovered that he suffered
from nine fractured ribs.
774
00:36:32,066 --> 00:36:34,234
This could lend to the theory
of homicide.
775
00:36:34,235 --> 00:36:37,404
But deeper research
reveals flaws in this theory.
776
00:36:37,405 --> 00:36:40,824
There are several factors
that lead me away from believing
777
00:36:40,825 --> 00:36:42,492
that this was a homicide.
778
00:36:42,493 --> 00:36:44,244
There is no sign of a struggle
in the room.
779
00:36:44,245 --> 00:36:45,871
There is no murder weapon.
780
00:36:45,872 --> 00:36:48,790
There is no sign of anybody else
being in that bathroom
781
00:36:48,791 --> 00:36:50,876
or hotel room with him.
782
00:36:50,877 --> 00:36:54,921
There is a logical explanation
for Chris' fractured ribs.
783
00:36:54,922 --> 00:36:56,840
The autopsy report did find
784
00:36:56,841 --> 00:36:59,634
that nine of Chris Cornell's
ribs were broken,
785
00:36:59,635 --> 00:37:01,678
but that's not super abnormal.
786
00:37:01,679 --> 00:37:03,513
The average number of ribs
that get cracked
787
00:37:03,514 --> 00:37:06,224
when performing CPR
is around eight.
788
00:37:06,225 --> 00:37:08,810
So that's totally in line
with the norm.
789
00:37:08,811 --> 00:37:11,021
But the sheer amount of blood
in the bathroom
790
00:37:11,022 --> 00:37:14,399
still feels suspicious
to online detectives.
791
00:37:14,400 --> 00:37:17,402
While EMTs were trying to save
Chris Cornell's life,
792
00:37:17,403 --> 00:37:19,321
it's extremely likely
that they spread
793
00:37:19,322 --> 00:37:21,406
some of that blood
around the bathroom.
794
00:37:21,407 --> 00:37:23,783
It's entirely possible
that some of that blood
795
00:37:23,784 --> 00:37:25,452
came from Chris Cornell's neck
796
00:37:25,453 --> 00:37:28,163
or that he spit some of it out
while he was hanging.
797
00:37:28,164 --> 00:37:31,249
There are also other problems
with the murder theory,
798
00:37:31,250 --> 00:37:34,586
namely the lack of proof
that there was anyone else
799
00:37:34,587 --> 00:37:36,838
in the room
with Chris that night.
800
00:37:36,839 --> 00:37:39,174
Let's start with
the scene itself.
801
00:37:39,175 --> 00:37:40,759
Both the door to the hotel room
802
00:37:40,760 --> 00:37:42,344
and the door to the bathroom
were locked.
803
00:37:42,345 --> 00:37:44,304
If you could explain to me
how someone can get
804
00:37:44,305 --> 00:37:47,224
into that bathroom,
kill him, close the door,
805
00:37:47,225 --> 00:37:49,351
latch it from the inside,
close the hotel door,
806
00:37:49,352 --> 00:37:51,228
latch that from the inside
and leave
807
00:37:51,229 --> 00:37:53,939
without anyone seeing them,
I invite you to give me a call.
808
00:37:53,940 --> 00:37:56,191
So unless the killer
turned into mist
809
00:37:56,192 --> 00:38:00,445
and left through under the door,
Chris Cornell was not murdered.
810
00:38:00,446 --> 00:38:03,990
And as for the supposed
QAnon driven motive for murder,
811
00:38:03,991 --> 00:38:06,243
it simply doesn't add up.
812
00:38:06,244 --> 00:38:08,286
This idea that Chris Cornell
was about to blow the lid
813
00:38:08,287 --> 00:38:10,789
off this international child sex
trafficking ring,
814
00:38:10,790 --> 00:38:12,499
there's nothing to it.
815
00:38:12,500 --> 00:38:15,168
This documentary that he was
supposedly involved with,
816
00:38:15,169 --> 00:38:18,171
"The Silent Children",
he wasn't involved with it.
817
00:38:18,172 --> 00:38:19,297
He didn't finance it.
818
00:38:19,298 --> 00:38:21,424
The documentary was real,
819
00:38:21,425 --> 00:38:25,554
but they shut down months
before Chris Cornell died.
820
00:38:25,555 --> 00:38:28,848
But of course, evidence never
gets in the way of a good QAnon
821
00:38:28,849 --> 00:38:30,267
conspiracy theory.
822
00:38:30,268 --> 00:38:33,270
QAnon doesn't need facts
or evidence or data.
823
00:38:33,271 --> 00:38:35,897
All they have to do is believe
strongly enough
824
00:38:35,898 --> 00:38:38,108
and something becomes true.
825
00:38:38,109 --> 00:38:40,777
That leaves the theory
that some sort of head trauma
826
00:38:40,778 --> 00:38:42,612
addled Cornell that evening
827
00:38:42,613 --> 00:38:46,199
and he wasn't in his right mind
leading up to his death.
828
00:38:46,200 --> 00:38:47,867
It's worth noting that Chris
just kind of
829
00:38:47,868 --> 00:38:50,412
like wandered off stage
and, like, was stumbling around.
830
00:38:50,413 --> 00:38:53,373
And, I mean, it was clearly
very obvious to the people
831
00:38:53,374 --> 00:38:55,166
in his life
that something was wrong.
832
00:38:55,167 --> 00:38:58,086
Upon scrutiny, video of
Chris' performance the night
833
00:38:58,087 --> 00:39:01,965
he died appears to show a gash
on the back of his head.
834
00:39:01,966 --> 00:39:05,135
But despite what people
believe they see in the video,
835
00:39:05,136 --> 00:39:06,761
there is
little physical evidence
836
00:39:06,762 --> 00:39:10,307
to support the possibility
of head trauma.
837
00:39:10,308 --> 00:39:11,975
Head injuries bleed profusely.
838
00:39:11,976 --> 00:39:15,020
So if he did have a sizable gash
up on stage,
839
00:39:15,021 --> 00:39:17,147
people definitely
would have noticed blood.
840
00:39:17,148 --> 00:39:22,027
The Detroit Free Press,
who was there to watch the show,
841
00:39:22,028 --> 00:39:23,987
mentioned nothing about blood
dripping down
842
00:39:23,988 --> 00:39:25,322
Chris Cornell's face.
843
00:39:25,323 --> 00:39:28,325
This is just some made up
conspiracy theory
844
00:39:28,326 --> 00:39:31,328
on 4Chan, where,
you know, they all come from.
845
00:39:31,329 --> 00:39:32,996
And even Chris' wife, Vicki,
846
00:39:32,997 --> 00:39:35,123
who first noted
the possible gash,
847
00:39:35,124 --> 00:39:38,126
very quickly offered
a more plausible explanation
848
00:39:38,127 --> 00:39:41,463
for the glistening spots
seen in the video.
849
00:39:41,464 --> 00:39:45,676
The 52-year-old rock star had
the beginnings of a bald spot.
850
00:39:47,762 --> 00:39:50,430
We may never know for sure
how Chris Cornell
851
00:39:50,431 --> 00:39:51,973
ended up on the bathroom floor
852
00:39:51,974 --> 00:39:55,935
of a Detroit hotel room
in May 2017.
853
00:39:55,936 --> 00:39:58,563
But the answer likely lies
in the two things
854
00:39:58,564 --> 00:40:01,316
that had plagued him
for most of his life.
855
00:40:01,317 --> 00:40:04,986
The problem with suicide
is it never makes sense, right?
856
00:40:04,987 --> 00:40:09,199
But when you're predisposed
to addiction and depression,
857
00:40:09,200 --> 00:40:11,618
and then you add on top of that
the Ativan
858
00:40:11,619 --> 00:40:13,703
with the underlying thoughts
859
00:40:13,704 --> 00:40:15,538
that maybe you wouldn't have
normally,
860
00:40:15,539 --> 00:40:18,208
it makes sense for me that
Chris Cornell killed himself.
861
00:40:18,209 --> 00:40:20,627
The drugs may have actually
impaired his judgment
862
00:40:20,628 --> 00:40:22,212
and led him to do something
863
00:40:22,213 --> 00:40:23,630
that he would not
have otherwise done,
864
00:40:23,631 --> 00:40:25,715
which makes it
all the more tragic.
865
00:41:06,173 --> 00:41:08,967
It's a tragedy. Mental illness
and personal trauma
866
00:41:08,968 --> 00:41:11,803
and strife strikes anybody from,
867
00:41:11,804 --> 00:41:14,514
you know, the wealthiest
and best looking people to,
868
00:41:14,515 --> 00:41:16,266
you know,
the most vulnerable among us.
869
00:41:16,267 --> 00:41:20,437
So to assume that someone
who had a, quote, unquote,
870
00:41:20,438 --> 00:41:22,939
good life on the surface
871
00:41:22,940 --> 00:41:25,525
didn't have those struggles
is again,
872
00:41:25,526 --> 00:41:27,610
just hugely oversimplifying.
873
00:41:27,611 --> 00:41:30,905
What doesn't make sense to me
874
00:41:30,906 --> 00:41:34,951
is that people who have listened
to anything Chris Cornell
875
00:41:34,952 --> 00:41:39,247
has ever written believe
that he didn't kill himself.
876
00:41:51,510 --> 00:41:55,221
Chris Cornell's lyrics
were often very somber,
877
00:41:55,222 --> 00:41:57,766
not apocalyptic by any stretch
of the imagination,
878
00:41:57,767 --> 00:42:01,394
but they tended to lean
pretty dark and deep.
879
00:42:01,395 --> 00:42:05,190
And for a lot of people,
it resonated with us.
880
00:42:05,191 --> 00:42:07,400
You know, it's, "Wow,
there's somebody out there
881
00:42:07,401 --> 00:42:08,860
that feels the same way I do.
882
00:42:08,861 --> 00:42:11,738
I felt like he understood me,
right?
883
00:42:11,739 --> 00:42:14,366
And if somebody like that
can kill themselves, can I?
884
00:42:17,369 --> 00:42:21,915
It's something about questioning
your own mortality,
885
00:42:21,916 --> 00:42:24,292
and it's so unbelievable.
886
00:42:24,293 --> 00:42:26,127
And you're a little bit
in denial
887
00:42:26,128 --> 00:42:27,768
and you just want
to make sense of it all.
888
00:42:42,102 --> 00:42:44,103
- He was a person.
- He was a human being.
889
00:42:44,104 --> 00:42:45,647
He was a father.
890
00:42:45,648 --> 00:42:47,065
He was a brother.
891
00:42:47,066 --> 00:42:49,275
He was someone who struggled
in his life,
892
00:42:49,276 --> 00:42:51,444
someone who found
incredible success in his life.
893
00:42:51,445 --> 00:42:54,781
He was someone who lived
many lifetimes at once,
894
00:42:54,782 --> 00:42:57,283
and he was a complex person
with many layers.
895
00:42:57,284 --> 00:43:01,246
And I think that reducing
the tragedy of his death
896
00:43:01,247 --> 00:43:03,206
to Pizzagate
897
00:43:03,207 --> 00:43:07,418
or suing his doctor
or blaming his wife
898
00:43:07,419 --> 00:43:11,965
or whatever conspiracy rabbit
hole people want to go down to,
899
00:43:11,966 --> 00:43:14,008
does an incredible disservice
900
00:43:14,009 --> 00:43:17,136
to the person
who gave us so much of himself.
901
00:43:17,137 --> 00:43:19,055
Years after his tragic death,
902
00:43:19,056 --> 00:43:22,684
Chris' wife Vicki still
struggles to find answers,
903
00:43:22,685 --> 00:43:25,020
saying in a recent interview...
904
00:44:01,599 --> 00:44:03,225
Thank you.
905
00:44:03,275 --> 00:44:07,825
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