Peter Cornell, the brother of Chris Cornell, has penned a loving statement about his late brother. Instead of solely focusing on his own pain from the loss of his brother, Peter offered his sympathies outward, writing that he’s sorry for the loss we as fans have suffered.

Countless tributes in written and performance form have been dedicated to Chris Cornell in the two weeks since the Soundgarden / Audioslave legend’s death. Musicians and other contemporaries have shared the joy and inspiration Cornell gave them, plus the singer’s wife, Vicky, penned an open letter to her late soulmate. Other than Vicky Cornell’s tribute, this is the first we’ve heard from Chris Cornell’s family since the musician passed away.

On his Facebook account, Peter Cornell posted the “first and last time” he and Chris were together along with the words:

FRIENDS;
It's been difficult to put words together. My heart is broken. Chris was always just my brother. We just "were". No pretense. No dog and pony show. We didn't have to get deep all the time. Sometimes we only needed to just be in the same room and just be present. That was enough.
It wasn't until this week, it really hit me how he belonged to the world. That he is an icon and a legend. That being said, I am so sorry to YOU for your loss. Artists, actors, musicians. We rely on these people to lift us up. To inspire us and distract us in times of trouble. Chris protected us when we needed him to. His one of a kind-ness surrounded us like a suit of armor. He was a warrior and a wizard. A howling wolf and a trusted mentor.
My brother gave freely of his gifts and it was never a struggle. He kept himself from the saturation of celebrity in such a humble way. The power and anger and passion of my brother's music was always genuine, original and legitimate. He was the powerful, sensitive, fragile, angry, mystical creature that will exist forever in his body of work. And he did it for ALL of us. Giving it away. Leaving all on the stage or in the recordings that will keep him immortal.
I will never wrap my head around his passing. I've been in shock since I heard the news. I can't and won't let him go.
Please know, with all the humility I can muster from the depths of a pulverized heart, I THANK EACH OF YOU for your kindness and condolences. THANK YOU for finding me through YOUR tears.
Hold your brothers close. 
Much Love!
PC
The first time and the last time we were together.

Peter also changed his profile picture to the last time he saw his brother Chris. Chris Cornell’s funeral service took place May 26, with bandmates Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron in attendance, along with Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello and a large group of other musicians, actors and loved ones.

Rockers We've Lost in 2017

10 Unforgettable Chris Cornell Moments

More From Loudwire