Chris Cornell Wife Vicky Karayiannis Says ‘I’m Sorry I Wasn’t There’ After Official Suicide Ruling

Following the release of an official toxicology report which determined that Chris Cornell’s death was in fact officially a suicide, his wife, Vicky Karayiannis, has released a pair of statements about the findings.

A toxicology report released by the medical examiner has confirmed that while there were multiple drugs in Cornell’s system at the time of his death, they did not contribute to the situation, and he officially died because of his suicide by hanging.

“It is my opinion that death was caused by hanging,” Wayne County assistant medical examiner Theodore Brown wrote in a post mortem report obtained by Rolling Stone. “Based on the circumstances surrounding this death and the autopsy findings, the manner of death is suicide.”

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The report indicated that Cornell had ingested seven different drugs that were in his system at the time, though they didn’t contribute to his cause of death. According to TMZ, the drugs included Naloxone (Narcan), Butalbital (a sedative), Lorazepam (Ativan), Pseudophedrine (decongestant), and barbiturates. He had also reportedly taken four 1 mg tablets of Ativan.

Following the ruling, Karayiannis released a pair of new statements. The first, which she released to the press, blamed the drugs in Cornell’s system for an altered state of mind, and expressed sadness that he had seemingly relapsed after several years of sobriety.

“We have learned from this report that several substances were found in his system. After so many years of sobriety, this moment of terrible judgment seems to have completely impaired and altered his state of mind,” she said. “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 on preventing this type of tragedy.”

Karayiannis also released a second statement via a new letter to her husband as well, where she recalled how they first met, their love story over 14 ½ years together, and apologized to him for not being there when he needed her most.

“You had always said I saved you. 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 can to give back,” she said. “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.”

The statements also came after Karayiannis previously said that she had several "unanswered questions" about her husband’s death, prior to the toxicology report’s findings.

Read: Vicky Karayiannis “Knew” Something Was Wrong Before Chris Cornell’s Death`

“We are grateful for the outpouring of support as we mourn Chris’ passing, but we still have several unanswered questions about what led to his death,” she said. "We believe the toxicology report will answer these questions.”

Cornell was found in his hotel room at the MGM Grand hotel in Detroit just two hours after performing with his band at a concert on May 18.