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The singer Chris Cornell.
Chris Cornell, the frontman of the legendary grunge band Soundgarden, died Wednesday night in Detroit at 52.A representative for Cornell confirmed the death to The Associated Press, saying it was "sudden and unexpected" and that Cornell's wife and family were shocked.
Police are investigating the death as a possible suicide, according to the AP. A police spokesperson said that while they can't release details about what led investigators to that decision, there were "basic things observed at the scene."
The police spokesman added that Cornell died at the MGM Grand Detroit hotel. The singer's wife reportedly called a family friend and asked him to check in on Cornell. The friend, according to police, forced open a hotel room door and found Cornell on the bathroom floor.
Cornell was on tour and performed with Soundgarden in Detroit on Wednesday night.
The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office will make an official determination about the cause of death, and a statement from Cornell's representative said his family will work closely with the office to make the determination.
Cornell's singular voice helped propel Soundgarden, formed in Seattle in 1984, to fame. The band helped popularize grunge in the 1990s, alongside other bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana. Later, Cornell also became the lead singer for the band Audioslave.