A few new details have surfaced about what Chris Cornell was doing in New York on the final day of his life on May 17, 2017 prior to leaving for Detroit to perform with Soundgarden.
On the final day of Cornell’s life, he spent the morning with his wife Vicky shopping for a painting and rug. He was in New York until the afternoon, when he left after lovingly kissing members of his family, appearing to be very happy. He had also bought new clothes the day of his death. Cornell then flew to Detroit and went to Soundgarden rehearsals, and there is some speculation he may have suffered some sort of head injury around this time based on EMT reports and family statements, but nobody has come forward to fully verify this. Cornell later performed with Soundgarden that night prior to his death in his hotel room.
Since Chris died, his widow Vicky has donated money and lent his name to several charitable causes, including a music therapy program. Vicky provided an update on the program on Twitter on Saturday, “It is an honor to support such an incredible organization and its programs. @chriscornell believed in the power of music to heal – especially children. He would be so proud to see the Chris Cornell Music Therapy Program growing. Congratulations @Childhaven1909.”
Childhaven tweeted, “Our music therapy program, which was started with a grant made by the Chris & Vicky Cornell Foundation, has been awarded a Wilson Trust Music Therapy Grant by @AMTAInc! This is such an honor! https://www.musictherapy.org/wilson_trust_music_therapy_grant_awarded_to_childhaven/ ….”
It is an honor to support such an incredible organization and its programs. @chriscornell believed in the power of music to heal – especially children. He would be so proud to see the Chris Cornell Music Therapy Program growing. Congratulations @Childhaven1909 https://t.co/GS0uEBcQkY
— Vicky Cornell (@vickycornell) August 25, 2018
