New forensic findings have once again reignited controversy surrounding the cause of death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.
The Nirvana legend was found dead in his Seattle home on April 5, 1994, at the age of 27.
The new forensic findings have challenged the long-standing ruling that Kurt Cobain’s death was the result of suicide, with researchers calling on Seattle authorities to reopen the case nearly three decades later.
Kurt Cobain’s death was officially ruled a suicide by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, rather than a homicide, by a 20-gauge Remington Model 11 shotgun.
Now, in the latest forensic findings, forensic expert Brian Burnett and researcher Michelle Wilkins said some evidence from the autopsy and crime scene raises pressing questions.
Burnett is credited with re-examining controversial cases, including the death of Marine Col. James Sabow, who joined Wilkins’ review inquiry in late 2025.
According to Wilkins, “Necrosis of the brain and liver occurs in an overdose. It does not occur in a gunshot death.”
The duo also questioned the physical mechanics of the scene, including whether Cobain would have been able to fire the “shotgun” if he had been in the commonly described compromised state.
Other concerns raised during the independent review include blood stains, hand placement, the arrangement of drug paraphernalia and the manner in which receipts and ammunition were arranged at the scene.
In a more chilling discovery, researchers alleged the crime scene was staged to look like a suicide, while questioning the originality of the note discovered on the property.
According to researcher Michelle Wilkins, Burnett said, “This is a homicide. We have to do something about this.”
However, a spokesperson for the medical examiner’s office said, “The King County Medical Examiner’s Office worked with local law enforcement, conducted a full autopsy, and followed all of its procedures to arrive at a determination of the manner of death as a suicide,” as reported by the medical examiner’s office. The Daily.
The spokesperson revealed that while his department is prepared to reopen the case if new evidence surfaces, his office has “not seen anything so far.”
They added: “Our office is always willing to review its findings if new evidence emerges, but our previous determination of death stands. »
