Photo via KIRO 7 News


On the evening of Aug. 20, a Chris Cornell statue – paid for by his family following his untimely passing – was vandalized in Seattle.

The bronze memorial was built in 2017 and sits outside the city’s Museum of Pop Culture. It was covered with white spray paint by an unknown vandal.

Cornell’s widow Vicky called the incident “heartbreaking” in a reactionary statement, writing, “The statue is not only a work of art but a tribute to Chris, his incomparable musical legacy and everything that he stood for. It represents Chris, who is beloved not only in Seattle, but worldwide. In the face of this hate and destruction, we are thankful once again to the fans who stood up to support him and showed such immense love. It lifted our hearts to hear that fans brought supplies and attempted to clean up the heartbreaking vandalism. The statue will be restored. Hate will not win. Chris is Seattle’s Son!”

This is what the Chris Cornell statue looks like in front of Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture. Somebody apparently vandalized the statue of the late Soundgarden frontman by painting it white.

Posted by KIRO 7 News on Thursday, August 20, 2020
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My children and I are heartbroken to learn of the vandalization of Chris’s statue at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. The statue is not only a work of art but a tribute to Chris, his incomparable musical legacy and everything that he stood for. It represents Chris, who is beloved not only in Seattle, but worldwide. In the face of this hate and destruction, we are thankful once again to the fans who stood up to support him and showed such immense love. It lifted our hearts to hear that fans brought supplies and attempted to clean up the heartbreaking vandalism. The statue will be restored. Hate will not win. Chris is Seattle’s Son! @mopopseattle @vulcaninc on behalf of our family thank you 🖤

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