Rock star Chris Cornell took his own life, medical officials in the US have said.

The Soundgarden and Audioslave lead singer died in Detroit on Wednesday night, aged 52.

Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office said in a statement on Thursday afternoon: "The cause of death has been determined as hanging by suicide.

"A full autopsy report has not yet been completed."

Video of Chris Cornell's last gig

Cornell's representative Brian Bumbery called the death “sudden and unexpected”.

Michael Woody, a spokesman for the Detroit Police Department, said Cornell’s body was found unresponsive in his hotel room.

The rock singer had earlier played a concert in the city's Fox Theatre that evening.

Tributes from fellow muscians poured in on Thursday. Elton John said he was "shocked and saddened". He said Cornell was "a great singer, songwriter and the loveliest man".

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page said: "RIP Chris Cornell. Incredibly Talented. Incredibly Young. Incredibly Missed."

Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Show all 18 1 /18 Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Singer Chris Cornell performs at Prophets of Rage and Friends' Anti Inaugural Ball at the Taragram Ballroom on January 20, 2017 in Los Angeles, California Kevin Winter/Getty Images Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Chris Cornell of Audioslave at the 2002 KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, CA. Saturday, December 7, 2002 Getty Images Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) The members of Audioslave pose backstage with VH1 Music & Talent Executive Vice President Rick Krim at the 'ReAct Now: Music & Relief' benefit concert at Paramount Studios on September 10, 2005 in Hollywood, California Getty Images Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Musician Chris Cornell of Audioslave and his daughter Toni sign a guitar donated by the band at the 'ReAct Now: Music & Relief' benefit concert at Paramount Studios on September 10, 2005 in Hollywood, California Amanda Edwards/Getty Images Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Musician Chris Cornell of the band Audioslave performs onstage at the VH1 Big In '05 Awards held at Stage 15 on the Sony lot on December 3, 2005 in Culver City, California Kevin Winter/Getty Images Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Musician Chris Cornell and his daughter attend the John Varvatos 4th Annual Stuart House Benefit at the John Varvatos Boutique on March 19, 2006 in West Hollywood, California David Livingston/Getty Images Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Singer Chris Cornell performs at Vegas Grand Prix-Friday Night Street Party on April 6, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada Bryan Haraway/Las Vegas Grand Prix via Getty Images Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Musician Chris Cornell and family attend the Conde Nast Media Group's Fifth Annual Fashion Rocks at Radio City Music Hall on September 5, 2008 in New York City Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Musician Chris Cornell performs on stage during Conde Nast's Fashion Rocks show in New York. Sept. 5, 2008 AP Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Chris Cornell of Soundgarden performs onstage and headlines the 2010 Lollapalooza festival in Grant Park on August 8, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Chris Cornell of Soundgarden performs onstage and headlines the 2010 Lollapalooza festival in Grant Park on August 8, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois Roger Kisby/Getty Images Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Musician/actor Chris Cornell of 'Machine Gun Preacher' poses for a portrait during 2011 Toronto Film Festival on September 9, 2011 in Toronto, Canada. Photo by Matt Carr/Getty Images Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Chris Cornell of Soundgarden performs on stage at Big Day Out 2012 at the Sydney Showground on January 26, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Soundgarden performs at Citi Presents Exclusive Soundgarden Performance Celebrating 20th Anniversary of 'Superunknown' at Webster Hall on June 2, 2014 in New York City Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Citi Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Kim Thayil, Chris Cornell, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden visit SiriusXM Studios on June 2, 2014 in New York City Getty Images North America Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and Chris Cornell perform during the 28th annual Bridge School Benefit at Shoreline Amphitheatre on October 26, 2014 in Mountain View, California Getty Images North America Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Musician Chris Cornell poses at Elton John's 70th Birthday and 50-Year Songwriting Partnership with Bernie Taupin benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the UCLA Hammer Museum at RED Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. March 25, 2017 REUTERS Remembering Chris Cornell (1964 - 2017) Chris Cornell and family attend the New York Screening of 'The Promise' at The Paris Theatre on April 18, 2017 in New York City Getty Images North America

Cornell was one of the most lauded and respected contemporary lead singers in rock music, thanks to his charismatic energy onstage and wide vocal range.

He was a leader of the grunge movement with Seattle-based Soundgarden - with whom he gained critical and commercial acclaim - but also found success outside the band with other projects, including Audioslave, Temple of the Dog as well as with solo albums.

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