Toni Vasil, Chris Cornell’s mother-in-law, made serious allegations against Soundgarden members in a recent Instagram post.
“Sad to see the comments from Soundgarden fans. Kim, Matt, and Ben—ignoring the fans. Chris loved you all so much. And as we all know: guilty people can’t speak. They’re guilty as hell,” Vasil stated.
“I look at Dave Grohl—how he speaks about fans with such respect, admiration, and love. Dave cried with his fans. Soundgarden? Silent. Eight years of waiting. And now we know why,” she continued.
“For those three individuals—those without integrity—the darkness of what they did to Chris will never be forgotten,” Vasil said. “It was inhuman, evil, and vicious. That stain will remain in history for them. Hiding behind silence, blocking fans, offering no explanation. Telling others not to speak, to turn off their phones. No one was allowed to go back—orders from Kim.”
“Me? I’ll never forgive or forget, not until everyone gets what’s coming to them. And we will—together,” she added. “Grateful you can’t imagine, for your huge support. Without you, I would’ve never come this far. Your strength gives me strength.”
“Brothers do that we ask? Yes, some do. And Chris’ golden heart didn’t expect them to go that far… Envy!!!” she concluded.
These accusations surface amid a complex history of legal disputes and personal conflicts since Cornell’s tragic passing in 2017.
A report from CBS News revealed that Vicky Cornell, Chris Cornell’s widow, reached a settlement with Soundgarden over her late husband’s unreleased recordings. This agreement opened possibilities for future releases.
The band’s relationship with Cornell’s family deteriorated after his death. American Songwriter documented that officials ruled Cornell’s death a suicide. His family later raised concerns about the effects of prescribed medications, specifically Ativan, on his mental state during his final hours.
Research published by the Benzo Information Coalition highlighted the family’s broader concerns about prescription drug safety. Their investigation extended beyond Cornell’s immediate circumstances to address mental health care practices in the music industry.
The conflict between Cornell’s family and his former bandmates continues to impact his musical legacy. Both sides maintain their positions regarding his final days and unreleased work.
