Chris Cornell's Widow Sues Soundgarden Bandmates, Accuses Them Of Screwing His Kids Out of Money

Chris Cornell’s widow Vicky is accusing his former Soundgarden bandmates of being cold, heartless people who are screwing her kids out of money.

According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Vicky Cornell is suing Soundgarden bandmembers Kim Thayil, Ben Shepherd and Matt Cameron over royalties.

In the suit, Vicky says while he was alive Chris accused his former Soundgarden bandmates of attempting to screw him out of money.

She says he wrote lyrics about the band mates, “Everybody out for my blood, everybody want my percent ... They just want to take what is mine, how much more can they get.”

“Ten years later, and after Chris’ untimely passing, these lyrics hauntingly resonate as his former bandmates, once again, have attempted to “take what is his” – or, more aptly, to steal from his widow and minor children. This wrongful conduct shockingly started shortly after Chris’ untimely death and ultimately forced his widow, Vicky Cornell, to bring this lawsuit,” the lawsuit reads.

She claims the defendants, “have shamelessly conspired to wrongfully withhold hundreds of thousands of dollars indisputably owed to Chris’ widow and minor children in an unlawful attempt to strong-arm Chris’ Estate into turning over certain audio recordings created by Chris before he passed away.

Vicky is fighting with Soundgarden over seven audio tracks “solely authored by Chris; contain Chris’ own vocal tracks; and were bequeathed to Chris’ Estate for the benefit of his widow, Vicky Cornell, and their minor children.”

She says she offered to share the recordings with the band, if they released the music in a way that would respect Chris’ legacy. The band allegedly refused and claimed they owned the music rights.

Further, “Worse, Chris’ former band members menaced Chris’ family with false media statements intended to rile the cyber- stalkers who have been making vile online accusations and the real-life stalker, who was recently released from Federal prison after threatening Vicky’s life.”

The suit reads, “The band members’ tortious conduct towards Chris’ family is consistent with their animus towards Chris, displayed when they failed to so much as turn around their tour bus upon learning of Chris’ death; failed to check in with Chris’s grieving family; and failed to so much as attempt to quell the online threats against Chris’ children.”

Vicky is demanding unspecified damages, accounting records and profits to be turned over.

Vicky is battling a separate legal battle with Chris’ ex-wife Susan Silver.

Susan sued Chris’ estate accusing Vicky of refusing to pay up on child support obligations owed by the late rocker.

Chris married Susan in 1990 and were divorced in 2004. They share one daughter named Lillian Jean. They reached a settlement which had Chris paying $5,000 a month in child support. He also agreed to cover education costs, including college.

Vicky has objected to Susan’s claim for unpaid child support. The case is ongoing.

As The Blast first reported, Vicky was appointed the personal rep of Chris’ estate. She believes the value of the estate at $20,000,000. Chris’ widow has claimed his last will and testament (signed in 2004) listed her as the sole beneficiaries.

Chris Cornell was found unconscious in his hotel room in Detroit on May 18, 2017. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging.