Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington was found dead a private residence in Palos Verdes Estates in Los Angeles.
The cause of death has not been officially confirmed, but unnamed members of law enforcement have told TMZ that the singer appeared to have hanged himself.
Chester long struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. In a 2009 interview, he said: “My life was falling apart in many ways that I was writing about on this record in terms of getting divorced, in terms of diving very hard into alcohol and drugs throughout this process. It’s not cool to be an alcoholic — it’s not cool to go drink and be a dumbass. It’s cool to be a part of recovery. This is just who I am, this is what I write about, what I do, and most of my work has been a reflection of what I’ve been going through in one way or another”.
Bennington had been with Linkin Park since 1996.
Linkin Park’s debut studio album “Hybrid Theory” was released in 2000. It was the best-selling album of 2001 and earned a Best Rock Album nomination at the 2002 Grammys.
In 2004 they attracted the attention of Jay-Z who worked on an album of remixs with the band.
Their most recent LP, “One more light”, came out this past May.
Shocked and heartbroken, but it's true. An official statement will come out as soon as we have one.
— Mike Shinoda (@mikeshinoda) July 20, 2017
no words. so heartbroken. RIP Chester Bennington.
— Imagine Dragons (@Imaginedragons) July 20, 2017
Oh dear God. Massive R.I.P to Chester Bennington of @linkinpark this BREAKS OUR HEART. Suicide is the devil on earth walking amongst us 😞
— OneRepublic (@OneRepublic) July 20, 2017
Chester Bennington thank you for your music and incredible voice. Another legendary singer gone. Sending our hearts 💔#rip #LinkinPark
— American Authors (@aauthorsmusic) July 20, 2017
Our thoughts are with Chester Bennington's family & all of Linkin Park at this remarkably difficult time. A voice of a generation. X
— You Me At Six (@youmeatsix) July 20, 2017