I read a long article about Chris Cornell's death and the reason given was that he was trying to get out of his contract with David Geffen and threatened to reveal that Geffen was a pedophile if he didn't release him. Cornell had just finished a gig and had spent some time talking to fans. He was in an upbeat mood that night but the press tried to say he was suicidal. There was a bodyguard but it's assumed he was paid off and may have committed the assault himself. Cornell was found hanging from a closet door knob and showed signs of being beaten. His neck had bruises consistent with being choked. He was most likely choked unconscious before being hung.