Unearthed Documents Reveal Courtney Love’s Request to Destroy Kurt Cobain’s Crime Scene Photos
Kurt Cobain was only 27 when he was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head in a greenhouse at his Seattle home. While investigators quickly ruled the death a suicide, the case has remained a lightning rod for controversy and conspiracy theories for decades. Now, a newly unearthed internal memorandum from the Seattle Police Department (SPD) reveals a startling detail: less than a year after Cobain’s death, his widow, Courtney Love, asked police to destroy the crime scene photographs.
The 1995 Memorandum: A “Bombshell” Request
An internal memo dated February 13, 1995, has come to light through investigators from the campaign group Who Killed Kurt?. In the document, veteran detective Sergeant Don Cameron informed his superior, homicide unit commander Lieutenant Al Gerdes, that Courtney Love was seeking the total destruction of all photographs taken at the scene of Cobain’s death.
The request was made through Love’s attorney, Seth Lichtenstein. According to the memorandum, the demand was driven by Love’s concerns that the images could be leaked to the public. This anxiety was heightened by allegations from Tom Grant, a private detective Love had hired to find Cobain when he first went missing. Grant had claimed that Love was actually responsible for her husband’s death and that the police had covered up a murder.
“Courtney’s attorney, Seth Lichtenstein called and asked if the photos could be destroyed to prevent any mistaken release.”
Why the Police Refused
Despite the pressure, Sergeant Cameron denied the request. He argued that destroying critical evidence would be a catastrophic professional failure for the department. In his letter to Lieutenant Gerdes, Cameron stated that with Tom Grant “running amok,” the SPD would look “foolish and certainly unprofessional” if they destroyed the only photographic record of the crime scene.
Cameron assured the department that the evidence was secure, noting that the 35mm film remained undeveloped and the Polaroids were kept under lock and key, accessible to only three authorized individuals.
Concerns Over Evidence Handling
The request to destroy photos is not the only controversy surrounding the handling of the case. Other SPD documents suggest a potential breach of standard police protocol regarding the evidence. A receipt for evidence form indicates that in June 1994—just over two months after the death—Detective Steve Kirkland handed the original copies of Cobain’s alleged suicide note and another handwritten note found at the scene directly to Courtney Love.
Retired Seattle police captain Neil Low, who audited the Cobain case in 2005, described the request to destroy evidence as “weird” and “unprecedented.” While Low originally backed the suicide verdict, he later became convinced the death was a homicide. He also raised concerns about the security of the SPD “vault,” stating that the records office lacked proper security and that there were legitimate fears regarding evidence disappearing.
The Fight for Forensic Accountability
For those campaigning to reopen the case, the preservation of these photos is the only reason an independent review remains possible. Michelle Wilkins, lead investigator for Who Killed Kurt?, emphasized that had Sergeant Cameron granted the request, the entire evidentiary record would have vanished.
“If Sergeant Cameron had said yes… There would be nothing left to examine,” Wilkins stated. “No independent review. No forensic analysis. No accountability.”
In 2014, the SPD released a cache of 37 images from the scene as part of a cold case review. These images, which included Polaroids and undeveloped 35mm film, showed the exterior of the home, the greenhouse, and portions of Cobain’s body. The review concluded that the original suicide ruling was correct.
Context of Cobain’s Final Days
The official version of events is supported by Cobain’s own history of struggles. During Nirvana’s 1991 European tour, Cobain had publicly mentioned that stomach pain had contributed to suicidal thoughts. In the month preceding his death, he reportedly overdosed on alcohol and sleeping pills in Rome—an event Love described as a suicide attempt.
Two weeks before he was found dead, police were called to the home after Love reported that Cobain had locked himself in a room with a gun. Although officers confiscated weapons and pills at the time, Cobain denied being suicidal. Just one week before his death, associates staged an intervention for his drug abuse; Cobain agreed to enter rehab but left after only two days.
Key Takeaways: The Cobain Evidence Controversy
- The Request: In February 1995, Courtney Love’s attorney asked the SPD to destroy crime scene photos to prevent leaks.
- The Denial: Sgt. Don Cameron refused, citing that destroying evidence would be “unprofessional.”
- Protocol Breaches: Documents show original suicide notes were given to Courtney Love by a detective in June 1994.
- Security Issues: Former Captain Neil Low questioned the security of the SPD vault where evidence was stored.
- Current Status: 37 photos were released in 2014, but groups like “Who Killed Kurt?” continue to seek further accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Courtney Love want the photos destroyed?
According to the SPD memorandum, Love was concerned about the photos being leaked, especially following allegations by private investigator Tom Grant that she was responsible for Cobain’s death.
Were the photos actually destroyed?
No. Sergeant Don Cameron denied the request, ensuring the photos remained in evidence. These images were later partially released to the public in 2014.
Who is Tom Grant?
Tom Grant was a private investigator hired by Courtney Love to find Kurt Cobain when he first went missing. He later alleged that the death was a murder and that the SPD covered it up.
What happened to the original suicide notes?
Evidence receipts indicate that Detective Steve Kirkland gave the original notes to Courtney Love in June 1994, a move criticized by former police officials as contrary to standard protocol.