Family of singer Chris Cornell sues doctor over suicide
LOS ANGELES: The family of Chris Cornell is suing a Beverly Hills doctor, alleging he overprescribed drugs to the grunge rock singer, leading to his suicide last year.
The lawsuit fi led in Los Angeles Superior Court claims that Dr. Robert Koblin “negligently and repeatedly” prescribed mindaltering controlled substances — notably 940 doses of the antianxiety drug Lorazepam, also known as Ativan — to the singer beginning in 2015 and until his death in May 2017.
The suit, fi led on behalf of Cornell’s widow, Vicky Cornell, and their two children, says that Koblin during that period kept prescribing drugs to the singer without actually examining him.
“At no time during this period did Dr Koblin conduct a medical examination of Mr Cornell, perform any laboratory studies, obtain an interim history or do any type of clinical assessment of Mr Cornell,” according to the suit. “He did not even physically see or speak to Mr Cornell during this period.”
The suits claims the drugs “impaired Mr. Cornell’s cognition, clouded his judgement and caused him to engage in dangerous and impulsive behaviours that he was unable to control, costing him his life.”
“At the time of his death, Mr Cornell had everything to live for and was planning a future
At no time during this period did Dr Koblin conduct a medical examination of Mr. Cornell, perform any laboratory studies, obtain an interim history or do any type of clinical assessment of Mr. Cornell. He did not even physically see or speak to Mr Cornell during this period. Lawsuit by Chris Cornell’s widow
of recordings, performances and continued work as a charitable activist,” according to the lawsuit.
Koblin could not be reached for comment.
Cornell, who had a lifelong struggle with drugs and d e p r e s s i on , was found dead on May 18, 2017 at his hotel in Detroit after per formi ng with