Police release picture of Kurt Cobain suicide shotgun

Seattle Police Detective Mike Ciesynski holds shotgun used in Kurt Cobain suicide

Seattle Police Detective Mike Ciesynski holds shotgun used in Kurt Cobain suicide 
Seattle Police Department

CNN — 

In another attempt to quell conspiracy theories about the death of Kurt Cobain, authorities are showing a key piece of evidence from the sad chapter in rock music history.

Cobain, 27, was found dead in his Seattle home on April 8, 1994. His death was ruled a suicide.

This week, Seattle Police released five photos showing a detective holding the apparent suicide weapon, a Remington shotgun.

CBS News asked for the photos in a public records request to “dispel a rumor … that the shotgun had been melted down to hide evidence in a supposed … coverup of a potential murder.”

Seattle Police say they’ve released hundreds of documents and dozens of photos involving the death of Cobain, but never before have they shown the shotgun they say the Nirvana frontman used to kill himself.

Two years ago, on the 20th anniversary of Cobain’s death, police released grainy pictures showing evidence collected at the scene – including a box filled with syringes and a tainted spoon, a lighter, cigarette packet and other personal belongings strewn across the floor.

Authorities have not released any graphic crime scene photos. But there is a lawsuit by conspiracy theorist Richard Lee to show the pictures of Cobain’s body.

Cobain’s widow, Courtney Love, and their daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, have been fighting his request, saying in court documents that the pictures “would encourage more disturbed stalkers and fanatical threats.”

CNN’s Artemis Moshtaghian contributed to this report