Chris Cornell’s brother has reconnected to some family members following the "horror" of his sibling’s death.
Peter Cornell has opened up about the passing of the Soundgarden frontman – who hanged himself in his Detroit hotel room in May aged 52 – and admitted he’s become more "compassionate" since the star died, and is clinging to the "pain" of losing him because he’s "refusing to let go".
In an emotional letter he posted on his Facebook account, he wrote: "My Friends:
Again you humble me with your kindness, empathy, love and support.
Although I pulled myself off Social Media, I’ve been able to glimpse bits and pieces of the selfless way so many people around the world continue to honor and pay tribute to my Brother.
I truly couldn’t believe the way you picked up and carried the message of doing push-ups for suicide prevention. Please don’t stop. What a devastating way to have my eyes opened to how many lives around me, and all of us, have been touched by such tragedy. Going forward I hope prevention is a conversation we can have more freely. Removing the stigma that discussing suicide is like speaking about a dirty little secret. If only … what I’d give to have had the tiniest shred of this awareness in early May.
I cannot deny the pain of this loss. In some ways I cling to it. Refusing to let go because I want to keep my little Brother close, even if all that’s left are memories. At least we are rich with memories. I replay them all to often, starting with our childhood and reliving the glory that was Seattle in the 90’s.
This process of grief has connected me to so many other grieving hearts and souls. As I said previously, my Brother belonged to the world and so many have been crushed by the weight of this passing. I revived this FB page to return the compassion you have shown to me from the very moments after this tragedy … THANK YOU and THANK YOU AGAIN!!! If it’s possible for this path to walk a little softer, it’s only because I haven’t had to walk it alone.
Compassion is like a new word to me these days. This horror has connected me to family I have not known for many, many years. It’s a bittersweet connection that is equal parts reliving the devastation and lovingly tearing down the fences that have separated us for so very long. Compassion arms me with the ability to feel for their loss as you and I have felt for each other. In some ways my family lost my Brother twice. That is a burden I don’t share with them. I’ve grown new ears and hopefully a bigger heart. (sic)"
Peter also used the note to slam conspiracy theorists and pay tribute to Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, who took his own life in similar circumstances to the Audioslave singer, just two months after his death.
He added: "I miss my interaction with YOU but a hiatus from social media helps me from continually picking at the wound. It’s unfortunate the social media platform that allows us to share each other’s heartbreak and healing also becomes a forum for conspiracy theories and absurd conjecture that defy decency and continually attempt to blur the facts. The entities that fuel these avenues of chaos are self-serving at best. When is enough enough? Hasn’t the time come for my Brother to be allowed to rest in peace? Haven’t the children endured more than a child ever, ever, ever should?
Much love to ALL of you!!! Hold your families close. May peace find all of us
Goodnight Chester. Goodnight Brother. PC (sic)"
Chris’ widow Vicky recently asked fans to submit tributes to the late star, which will be featured on his official website.
Chris Cornell’s brother clinging to ‘pain’
