Chris Cornell‘s older brother is speaking out slam conspiracy theories that have surfaced since the singer committed suicide on May 18 in Detroit following a Soundgarden show there.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Peter Cornell — who had quit social media after his brother’s death — tells fans that “you humble me with your kindness, empathy and support” and that “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.”
Cornell went on to discount the rash of theories about his brother’s death that have surfaced online, writing that social media “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?”
Peter Cornell closed his message with a tribute to Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, who committed suicide on what would have been Chris Cornell’s 53rth birthday, writing a simple, “Goodnight Chester.”
Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist who not only covers music but has written books on Bob Seger, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen.