Last week, the music world was stunned by the death of Chester Bennington, the gifted singer and songwriter whose unmistakable vocals helped to make Linkin Park one of the biggest bands of the 2000s.
Sadly, the cause of the 41-year-old’s passing was immediately apparent to authorities.
And today, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Bennington took his own life by hanging.
According to a police report, Bennington was pronounced dead at 9:08 am July 20 Palo Verdes Estates, California.
His body was discovered by a housekeeper who found the singer hanging from a bedroom door.
Though he left no note, it’s widely believed that Bennington mimicked Chris Cornell in his method of suicide.
The Soundgarden singer also took his own life by hanging recently.
The two rock stars were such close friends that Cornell’s widow asked Bennington to sing at his funeral.
It’s likely not a coincidence that Bennington killed himself on what would have been Cornell’s 53rd birthday.
Earlier today, the surviving members of Linkin Park issued a statement expressing their profound grief over Bennington’s passing.
“The demons who took you away from us were always part of the deal … After all, it was the way you sang about those demons that made everyone fall in love with you in the first place,” the band wrote.
In another statement issued today, Warner Bros. Records CEO, Cameron Strang, wrote:
“Chester Bennington was an artist of extraordinary talent and charisma, and a human being with a huge heart and a caring soul.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his beautiful family, his band-mates and his many friends. All of us at WBR join with millions of grieving fans around the world in saying: we love you Chester and you will be forever missed.”
Strang concluded his statement by urging anyone who might be suffering from thoughts of suicide or self-harm to call .National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Tens of thousands of friends and fans have paid tribute to Bennington in the days since his death.
The beloved singer leaves behind a wife and six children.
