Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington shocked the world on July 20 with his sudden passing, leaving his fans, friends, and family grieving over his death. As a vocalist, he gained international recognition after the band’s debut album in 2000 “Hybrid Theory,” which became a commercial success. In 2005, the album was certified as the decade’s best-selling debut album and their subsequent studio albums made the band one of the most highly recognized artists in the world. On Friday night, the Los Angeles County coroner confirmed that the singer’s death was due to an Apparent Suicide.
The singer-songwriter's suicide
The coroner confirmed that the Linkin Park singer died by hanging, although there was no suicide note found. His housekeeper found him in his bedroom in Palos Verdes Estates, California at 9 in the morning. According to The Guardian, the singer’s autopsy is pending. Bennington previously admitted that he struggled a lot with drugs, alcohol, and depression. He told Music Choice earlier this year that he has felt off his entire life.
“I find myself getting into these patterns of behaviour or thought,” the Linkin Park frontman said. “Especially when I’m stuck up here [in my head]; I like to say that, ‘This is like a bad neighbourhood, and I should not go walking alone.” Bennington is one of many artists in the spotlight that ended their lives because of depression.
Fans can recall when Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain also committed suicide in 1994, leaving a suicide note about his life and career struggles.
The Linkin Park singer’s death on July 20 was the supposed 53rd birthday of his close friend, singer Chris Cornell, who also committed suicide in May 2017. Bennington honored his friend by performing at Cornell’s funeral.
He also posted on social media, saying that he can’t imagine the world without him. Fans are quick to speculate that the singer-songwriter purposely did it on his friend’s birthday to deliver a message that he could no longer live without the person that inspired him.
The world mourns his death
Following the Linkin Park frontman’s death, his global fanbase grieves.
His close friends, including Victoria Cornell, Chris’ widow, posted on Twitter and said that her heart is profusely breaking over Bennington’s death, writing: “I love you.” Brian Welch, Korn’s guitarist, also expressed his sorrow over his friend’s death but called it “cowardly.” Bennington is survived by his wife and six children. He was 41.
