Chris Cornell, lead singer of Audioslave and Soundgarden, dies aged 52

Chris Cornell, the lead singer of bands Audioslave and Soundgarden, has died.

Cornell was 52 years old. In a statement given to the Associated Press, a representative for Cornell said he died on Wednesday night (17 May) in Detroit.

The representative described the death as “sudden and unexpected” and told AP that the family would be working closely with medical examiners to determine what happened. He also asked for privacy at this time.

Cornell played a concert in Detroit just hours before he died. He had been touring with Soundgarden. The band reformed in 2010 and had been working on new music over the past 12 months.

Update: Director Michael Woody from the Detroit Police Department has told Billboard, “We are investigating it as a possible suicide but we need to wait on the medical examiner to determine the cause and manner of death.”