Updated 10.49pm

Cornell, pictured in Toronto in 2016 Source: Zuma Press/PA Images

MUSICIAN CHRIS CORNELL died by suicide in his hotel room, according to a medical examination of his body.

The US singer, best known as the lead singer of Soundgarden and, latterly, Audioslave, died last night aged 52.

In a statement to AP, publicist Brian Bumbery said that the death, which occurred last night in Detroit, was ‘sudden and unexpected’, and that he and his wife were shocked by it.

A medical examiner conducted an autopsy on Cornell this afternoon and concluded that he killed himself by hanging.

A full autopsy report is to be released later.

Chris Cornell of Soundgarden died last night in Detroit. Source: Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo

Cornell had been touring with Soundgarden and had played with the band in Detroit last night.

The musician died at the MGM Grand Detroit hotel, Woody said.

He said Cornell’s wife had called a family friend and asked him to check on Cornell the friend forced open a hotel room door and found Cornell.

Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Cornell rose to fame in the early 90s with Soundgarden, who along with Nirvana and Pearl Jam were among the standard-bearers for the grunge movement.

More recently in the early 2000s he headed-up Audioslave with the remnants of protest-rock gurus Rage Against the Machine.

He was a Grammy award-winning, Golden Globe-nominated singer, songwriter, guitarist, composer and lyricist.

Cornell sang the theme for Daniel Craig’s first outing as James Bond in Casino Royale, You Know My Name in 2006.

His death prompted scores of tributes from the music world.

Whoops! We couldn't find this Tweet

Cornell is survived by wife Vicky Karayiannis and their two children and a daughter from his previous marriage to Soundgarden’s former manager Susan Silver.

If you need to talk, contact:

Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

Aware 1800 80 48 48 (depression, anxiety)

Pieta House 0800 247247 or email mary@pieta.ie – (suicide, self-harm)

Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)

Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)

With reporting by AP and Rónán Duffy