Chris Cornell’s Brother, Peter Cornell, Pens Open Letter To Singer’s Fans Online

Peter Cornell, the older brother of late singer Chris Cornell, returned to social media Monday to pen a heartfelt open letter to his brother, his brother’s friends and fans, and all who have grieved for his family’s loss.

“My Friends,” Cornell’s letter began. “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.”

Cornell also commented on his recent awakening to the horror of suicide, which his brother died from in May, and how he wished he had been aware before his brother killed himself.

“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,” Cornell wrote. “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.

Cornell, who, like his brother, is a musician, took time to thank the countless fans who have grieved along side the Cornell family.

“The process of grief has connected me to so many other grieving hearts and souls…my Brother belonged to the world and so many have been crushed by the weight of this passing.”

He continued, “If it’s possible for this path to walk a little softer, it’s only because I haven’t had to walk it alone.”

Later in the letter, he explained his decision to leave social media, noting that having stayed online would have had him “continually picking at the wound.” He also scolded those who have used his brother’s death as a source for conspiracy theories and “absurd conjecture that defy decency and continually attempt to blur the facts.”

Cornell ended his letter, “Goodnight Chester. Goodnight Brother,” in reference to the death of Chester Bennington, a close friend of Chris Cornell’s who committed suicide two months after Cornell’s passing.

Chris Cornell, who was the lead singer of Soundgarden and Audioslave, died on May 18, committing suicide in his hotel room following a concert in Detroit. He was 52.