Chris Cornell’s family sues doctor over suicide
Singer’s widow Vicky claimed that Robert Koblin prescribed him drugs that clouded his judgement
PHOTO: AFP
LOS ANGELES,:
The family of singer Chris Cornell is suing a Beverly Hills doctor, alleging he over-prescribed drugs to the grunge rock singer, leading to his suicide last year. The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court claims that Dr Robert Koblin "negligently and repeatedly" prescribed mind-altering controlled substances - notably 940 doses of the anti-anxiety drug Lorazepam, also known as Ativan - to the singer beginning in 2015 and until his death in May 2017.
The suit, filed on behalf of Chris’ widow, Vicky Cornell and their two children, says that Robert during that period kept prescribing drugs to the singer without actually examining him. The lawsuit read, "At no time during this period did Dr Koblin conduct a medical examination of Mr Cornell, perform any laboratory studies, obtain an interim history or do any type of clinical assessment. He did not even physically see or speak to Mr Cornell during this period."
It also claims that the drugs "impaired Mr Cornell's cognition, clouded his judgment and caused him to engage in dangerous and impulsive behaviours that he was unable to control, costing him his life." The lawsuit continued, "At the time of his death, Mr Cornell had everything to live for and was planning a future of recordings, performances and continued work as a charitable activist.” On the other hand, Robert could not be reached for comment on the matter.
Chris, who had a lifelong struggle with drugs and depression, was found dead at the age of 52 on May 18, 2017 at his hotel in Detroit after performing with his main band, Soundgarden. His death was earlier ruled a suicide by hanging. The coroner's office had said that although prescription drugs were found in his system, they did not cause his death.
But Vicky maintained that the prescription drugs her husband took had made him behave strangely and there was no indication he might take his own life. The lawsuit which seeks unspecified damages alleges negligence, wilful misconduct and failure to obtain informed consent.
The late singer, whose life had appeared to take an upward turn over the past decade as he went sober, was found dead at the MGM Grand Detroit hotel after his family contacted first responders, police had said. The Wayne County medical examiner conducted an autopsy and ruled his death a suicide by hanging, spokesman James Martinez added.
A statement from the singer’s publicist said that Vicky and the rest of the family “were shocked to learn of his sudden and unexpected passing” and thanked fans for “their continuous love and loyalty.”
Chris, with little formal training, possessed one of the music world’s most wide-ranging voices — it could swing nearly four octaves, moving from a deep baritone to a screechingly high tenor with a chilling vibrato. With his flowing curly hair and often bare chest, Chris showed off his vocal skills on Soundgarden hits such as Black Hole Sun, set to dissonant minor chord progressions on guitar.
Soundgarden had one of the heaviest sounds in grunge with trappings of heavy metal, even though Chris cited The Beatles, to whom he listened constantly as a child, as his biggest influence. Being a Seattle native, he wrestled with heroin and other drugs as well as depression most of his life.
In a 1994 interview with Rolling Stone, Chris had said that he had used drugs daily from the age of 13. He never completed high school and barely talked to anyone for two years as a teenager. He found his outlet in music, first as a drummer and then a singer and guitarist as he joined guitarist Kim Thayil and bassist Hiro Yamamoto to form Soundgarden. His songs such as Fell on Black Days and The Day I Tried to Live appeared to touch on his darkness.
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The family of singer Chris Cornell is suing a Beverly Hills doctor, alleging he over-prescribed drugs to the grunge rock singer, leading to his suicide last year. The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court claims that Dr Robert Koblin "negligently and repeatedly" prescribed mind-altering controlled substances - notably 940 doses of the anti-anxiety drug Lorazepam, also known as Ativan - to the singer beginning in 2015 and until his death in May 2017.
The suit, filed on behalf of Chris’ widow, Vicky Cornell and their two children, says that Robert during that period kept prescribing drugs to the singer without actually examining him. The lawsuit read, "At no time during this period did Dr Koblin conduct a medical examination of Mr Cornell, perform any laboratory studies, obtain an interim history or do any type of clinical assessment. He did not even physically see or speak to Mr Cornell during this period."
It also claims that the drugs "impaired Mr Cornell's cognition, clouded his judgment and caused him to engage in dangerous and impulsive behaviours that he was unable to control, costing him his life." The lawsuit continued, "At the time of his death, Mr Cornell had everything to live for and was planning a future of recordings, performances and continued work as a charitable activist.” On the other hand, Robert could not be reached for comment on the matter.
Chris, who had a lifelong struggle with drugs and depression, was found dead at the age of 52 on May 18, 2017 at his hotel in Detroit after performing with his main band, Soundgarden. His death was earlier ruled a suicide by hanging. The coroner's office had said that although prescription drugs were found in his system, they did not cause his death.
But Vicky maintained that the prescription drugs her husband took had made him behave strangely and there was no indication he might take his own life. The lawsuit which seeks unspecified damages alleges negligence, wilful misconduct and failure to obtain informed consent.
The late singer, whose life had appeared to take an upward turn over the past decade as he went sober, was found dead at the MGM Grand Detroit hotel after his family contacted first responders, police had said. The Wayne County medical examiner conducted an autopsy and ruled his death a suicide by hanging, spokesman James Martinez added.
A statement from the singer’s publicist said that Vicky and the rest of the family “were shocked to learn of his sudden and unexpected passing” and thanked fans for “their continuous love and loyalty.”
Chris, with little formal training, possessed one of the music world’s most wide-ranging voices — it could swing nearly four octaves, moving from a deep baritone to a screechingly high tenor with a chilling vibrato. With his flowing curly hair and often bare chest, Chris showed off his vocal skills on Soundgarden hits such as Black Hole Sun, set to dissonant minor chord progressions on guitar.
Soundgarden had one of the heaviest sounds in grunge with trappings of heavy metal, even though Chris cited The Beatles, to whom he listened constantly as a child, as his biggest influence. Being a Seattle native, he wrestled with heroin and other drugs as well as depression most of his life.
In a 1994 interview with Rolling Stone, Chris had said that he had used drugs daily from the age of 13. He never completed high school and barely talked to anyone for two years as a teenager. He found his outlet in music, first as a drummer and then a singer and guitarist as he joined guitarist Kim Thayil and bassist Hiro Yamamoto to form Soundgarden. His songs such as Fell on Black Days and The Day I Tried to Live appeared to touch on his darkness.
Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below.