Chris Cornell wasn’t acting like his normal self and appeared to be “high,” a longtime friend who was working the singer’s final concert said.
Ted Keedick, who worked as a tour manager and house engineer, told TMZ that he was very worried about the Soundgarden musician during the May 17 concert in Detroit.
Just a few hours after finishing the show, Cornell committed suicide in his hotel bathroom.
“Chris was out of character from note 1 of the show,” Keedick said. “I’ve never heard or seen him that way before, at least if we did not cancel a show.”
Offstage, Chris Cornell’s howl gave way to quiet, caring persona
Cornell’s pal, who did not return a request from the Daily News to speak about the deadly incident, told TMZ the singer seemed “high” and “f—ed up.” The outlet reported that at one point during the concert Keedick phoned someone backstage asking if the 52-year-old singer was OK.
“I’d never heard his voice that way before,” he said. “He was having serious problems.”
Despite his concerns, Keedick said Cornell was not depressed and seemed to be in a good mood.
As of now, it’s not clear if any substances played a role in Cornell’s death.
Chris Cornell reportedly used exercise band to commit suicide
The family’s attorney, Kirk Pasich, told the Detroit News on Tuesday they are still awaiting the results of a toxicology report.
Wayne County Medical Examiner did not return a call from the Daily News for an update.
In a statement last week, Cornell’s widow said that the singer had been prescribed Ativan, a medication to treat anxiety, and he had told her after the concert that he was going to an extra pill “or two.”
Vicky Karayiannis said she alerted the hotel’s front desk when she became concerned.
“Chris, a recovering addict, had a prescription for Ativan and may have taken more Ativan than recommended dosages,” Pasich said in a statement. “The family believes that if Chris took his life, he did not know what he was doing, and that drugs or other substances may have affected his actions.”
Chris Cornell seemed ‘high’ during Detroit concert before suicide – New York Daily News