Chris Cornell's widow Vicky writes emotional letter to late singer: 'I'm sorry you were alone'

Artist was found dead in his hotel room just hours after playing a Soundgarden show

Late artist Chris Cornell with his wife Vicky at the premiere for 'The Promise' in Hollywood (Getty Images)

Chris Cornell's widow has penned a letter to the late singer where she says that she thinks of the artist "every minute of every day".

In the note issued via Billboard, Vicky Cornell wrote that she knew the 52-year-old Audioslave and Soundgarden singer was not himself, and apologised for not being with him on the night that he died.

Her tribute was published as it emerged that Cornell was cremated in a private ceremony at the Hollywood Forever cemetery in Los Angeles on 23 May.

The letter in full reads:

"My Sweet Christopher,

You were the best father, husband and son-in-law. Your patience, empathy and love always showed through.

You had always said I saved you, that you wouldn't be alive if it were not for me. My heart gleamed to see you happy, living and motivated. Excited for life. Doing everything you could to give back. We had the time of our lives in the last decade and I'm sorry, my sweet love, that I did not see what happened to you that night. I'm sorry you were alone, and I know that was not you, my sweet Christopher. Your children know that too, so you can rest in peace.

I’m broken, but I will stand up for you and I will take care of our beautiful babies. I will think of you every minute of every day and I will fight for you. You were right when you said we are soulmates. It has been said that paths that have crossed will cross again, and I know that you will come find me, and I will be here waiting.

I love you more than anyone has ever loved anyone in the history of loving and more than anyone ever will.

Always and forever,

Your Vicky."

Cornell was found hanged at the MGM Grand Hotel in Detroit on 19 May.

Results from a full post-mortem are yet to be released, but a statement released by the Medical Examiner's Office following the initial autopsy said: "The cause of death has been determined as hanging by suicide."

In a statement, Cornell's family disputed the inferences that he "knowingly and intentionally killed himself".

Vicky Cornell said that she had spoken to him after the show when she noticed that he was slurring his words, and he told her that he may have taken "an extra Ativan or two".

According to lawyer Kirk Pasich, Cornell had a prescription for the anti-anxiety drug, which he said has various side effects.

The Samaritans can be contacted in the UK on 116 123. The number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255