On Thursday afternoon, the news broke that Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington had passed. According to TMZ, he committed suicide by hanging himself in his Palos Verdes Estates home. His body was discovered at 9 am (PST) by an employee. His wife and children were out of town, and he was alone at the time he died.
Bennington was 41 years old and he had been a rock star with Linkin Park since 2000, which was when their first album Hybrid Theory came out (it was extremely successful). So, he had been famous for 17 years. He is survived by his second wife, Talinda Ann Bentley, and his six children. He and Talinda had three kids, and he had three other children with two other women, including his first wife.
TMZ reported that Bennington had struggled with drugs and alcohol for years, and he had talked about his suicidal thoughts before. He was abused as a child and that still affected him into adulthood. He was also very close to Chris Cornell, who also died by suicide, this May. Yesterday, the day that Chester passed, was Chris’s birthday. Chester wrote a heartbreaking letter to Chris on the day Chris died.
Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and fans at this difficult time.
“Numb/Encore,” a song from Linkin Park’s collaboration with Jay-Z.
Here are some tweets from the people who loved him:
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
RIP to Chester Bennington and my sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and the Linkin Park family. Truly unique, humble frontman.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) July 21, 2017
Chester was one of the kindest men I've had on my show. My heart breaks for his family and friends. He will be missed terribly.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) July 20, 2017
Photos credit: WENN and PRPhotos
he has and always will be a legend. he was a HUGE part of my childhood and teen years. heck even now in my late 20s. soo sad to see a shining star go too soon 🙁
I’ll be honest, I was never fan, but I recognized the talent in that man and his band.
RIP, sir, my prayers go to you and your family.
Not the biggest fan too, but it is still soooooo hearbreaking. I just read today he was sexualy abused by a male friend from age of 7 to 13. He later dropped the case against the perpetrator because he was also abused as a child. That brought tears to my eyes. No one ever should go though a thing like that. No wonder someone like that never really finds peace despite all the talent, success and admiration. I hope and pray today for him to finally find some peace now that he is out of this fucked up world.
This is so heartbreaking. I hope his family and children will be ok.
So incredibly sad and unexpected. I don’t even know what to say about this. May he finally Rest in Peace.
I wasn’t a huge fan but listened to a lot of his music. I even have a few of their songs on my forever playlist. RIP. He was truly talented.
I absolutely couldn’t believe this last night, I’m so sad. To me Linkin Park will always be linked to my teens, to first concerts, to rock festivals and summer weekends in tents, living off of beer, cigarettes and canned food. Like Audioslave and Chris Cornell. Actually saw them during the same festival what feels like a million years ago. It’s absolutely terrible and I wish he could’ve led a happier life because he made a lot of us so happy.
I grew up with them and this is SO sad. Oh man…
I grew up listening to LP and their music definitely got me through some tough years as a teenager. Chester was an amazing frontman and a very talented musician. My condolences to his friends and family. RIP Chester 💔
Me too, they remain one of my favorite bands. I thought sirius would play a lot of their music today but I’ve only caught a couple songs which is irritating me.
🙁
Same here. Linkin Park reminds me of my teenage years, trying to figure out hard things, letting off steam. His voice was beautiful.
So so sad for his family.
Very sad. May he Rest In Peace.
I was never a Linkin Park fan, but this breaks my heart all the same. The stories their fans have shared mirrored how I felt when Chris Cornell died and how I felt about his music and music in general. I hope his spirit is at peace now. I hope his wife and kids are going to be okay and have a good support network in place.
So incredibly sad.
This hurts. Hybrid Theory was one of the first albums i ever bought. Linkin Park was a band that everyone knew and love.
Thoughts and prayers to his wife and his 6 children. They will need a lot of support to get through this.
I wasn’t really into Linkin Park, but this kind of news always makes sad. I hope he’s finally at peace, and my heart goes out to his family & friends.
So heartbreaking. This band was a huge part of my middle and high school life
I feel awful for his children and their loss. Wishing them comfort for years to come.
One has to be in such deep pain and torment, knowing they are leaving behind so many that love them, to take their own lives. I know suicide up close and personal, but won’t go there. I think of Robin Williams who couldn’t die fast enough by slashing his wrists so he hung himself. These are not pretty stories, nor are they only sad when it is a famous person committing suicide. Another story of if only…..
This is so sad. He was so talented and all those kids… I just can’t.
Something a friend explained to me recently changed my view of suicide: her dad killed himself last year. She said she gets offended when people say it’s a selfish move because really, it’s selfish to keep a miserable person in a life that is torturing them.
So Chester, I hope you found peace & I hope your family understands 😔
Someone on Twitter said last night ‘Some decisions are made in a world we don’t have access to.’ I think that’s pretty accurate.
A friend of mine committed suicide over a decade ago and all of her friends were left speechless. None of us knew why. I came to the conclusion that I, as a friend, had to accept her decision. It might sound cold hearted but for me this was the last thing I could do as a friend.
When my cousin decided to take her life, she tried to make it easier on her survivors. She did everything including paying for and arranging her funeral. The only thing she forgot was that someone had to discover her dead body with a bullet hole in her head lying in the cellar. She ended her torment and her son’s began as that was the last time he saw his mother, when he opened the cellar door. There are many avenues open for those who are suicidal. Unfortunately with the stigma of mental illness and depression, many run to their own deaths as opposed to trying to build a new life. So perhaps you’re right, they made their choice and we left behind must accept it, but at what cost.
@Nancy: esp. those who have to find them pay a very high price and if, as with your cousin, it is the child of the deceased it’s incredible sad and traumatizing. Dealing with a suicide is just as personal as dealing with struggles that might lead to suicide. With my friend, I just thought, that dealing with her death wouldn’t get easier by judging her decision or constantly asking why. I really felt, I owed her my acceptance and carry on with all the good memories I have of her.
I have been so close at times it scares me, so I know firsthand that in that mindset I know I felt like I would be doing everyone I loved a favor. It’s not rational thinking. But it’s misery all the same and I agree. It’s not a selfish move. Nobody wakes up in the morning saying, “Oh, nothing to watch on TV so reckon I’ll commit suicide.” It’s actually a brave, if not rational, move. It’s one that honestly feels like a necessity at that time, and that struggle is so real.
Shannon: Sweetie, it’s not brave to kill yourself, no matter how helpless you may feel. There are chemicals in your brain that are dictating your feelings, emotions….I seriously hope if you feel in any way that your life isn’t worth living, you talk to someone immediately. Suicide isn’t a temporary fix, it’s permanent, death, the end. The struggle IS REAL and I hope there are people or something in your life that makes you want to wake up and enjoy or learn or teach or breath the fresh air. Hate me if you will, but please talk to someone. I want you here Shannon and not be sad or thinking of a way out, but a way in. I know I’m just a random internet person to you but I care, I hate when people are in pain. LIVE YOUR LIFE, the end will come for us all eventually, as it is supposed to in God’s time. The best may be yet to come. xoxo
@Nancy – At least in my case the idea that it’s a permanent end to all of your suffering and pain? That’s the biggest allure.
But Incognita, what if it’s not. Maybe there are Gods and Demons, and if you follow your plan and not theirs, who knows, the suffering may not end. Is it really worth the gamble. No one has come back with reports. Every word I tried to reach Shannon’s heart with, goes to you as well, and anybody in pain that will listen. Try to block out all negativity for a moment, and envision something that is or was happy or beautiful or memorable, cling to it. Someone once told me hope is all we have. I have hope for you. I am not a happy, peppy person with the cup half full, it’s half empty with a leak, but I will not give up the fight, and I HOPE anyone else who may read this won’t either.
Nancy
In context it can be brave or weak.
Weak, we understand. A way out.
Brave? It’s more you feel the suffering. You’re in a state of pain. You get the pain won’t end or will always return. You’re afraid of the future and the present, but you take a step to end your suffering. Some pain is permanent.
I think to the burning building. The room is on fire. You can either stay and let the pain consume you or you jump out of the window.
I doubt more people that attempt want death or to hurt those around them. It’s just that the fire approaching is terrifying.
And I say this having attempted twice. The pain is overwhelming. Its not as simple as brain chemicals.
And this hurts me deeply. Hybrid theory came out during my 1sr attempt. It also helped me recover and to not feel so alone in my thoughts.
FLORC: I don’t pretend to understand what those in your and other people’s situations are going through. I just wanted to try to comfort and give encouragement……as if that is so easy. I so hope that anyone who hurts so deeply can get help. This isn’t how it should be, and I wish I had the answers to make it stop, but I don’t. Just care and compassion for you lovely ladies who had the courage to post some of your thoughts.
This website and Celebitches educated me on mental illness and suicide. Previously I used to be judgey on them.
100% agree with this comment. My father committed suicide last year and I truly believe he is at peace now. My mom said he always had a disregard for life, often hated being apart of it, and had made past attempts. People can be so quick to judge. At first, I thought he was being selfish (the first attempt I knew of), but when he was finally successful I realized that this was his way of finding the peace he searched for.
@Gemma13, I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. I, too, viewed suicide as a very selfish act, especially after my cousin had discovered the body of her fiance 3 days after he had killed himself. Seeing how it affected her and watching her turn into a completely different person was the hardest thing I’d had seen. However, when she finally was able to speak of it years later she said she was not angry with him anymore because she realized that the person that made that awful decision and did that awful thing was not the man she had fallen in love with and that she realized anyone who takes this path is just simply not in a right or healthy mind and could never be really held accountable because of it. I’ve come to accept that idea and now feel for compassion than anything when someone takes their own life. What a dark place they must have resided in to seek such a means of release.
@Hunterca, thank you. I’m so sorry for her loss. I feel like in order for someone to change their mind on the topic they have to either discuss it throughly with others or experience the loss themselves. I wouldn’t wish the later on anyone.
Thanks to @Tallia below for posting the hotline number. I’m going to post it up here as well for those who needs someone to talk to.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255
Available 24 hours everyday
I think, even if it is a selfish act, we still should show empathy and compassion.
The way I’ve been able to live with the loss of my dad for nearly 30 years now is realizing that like a lot of illnesses that can be difficult to treat, depression is sometimes a fatal disease. I’m so, so sad for Chester’s wife and kids.
RIP and all the best to his wife, kids, family, friends, and bandmates.
My eternal crush. May he rest in peace, his voice is definetly a huge part of my teenage years. Him, Avril Lavigne, Beyonce and Amy Lee.
Men struggle just like women. They have doubt and go through deep depression. Sometimes I don’t think society gives them the space to be vulnerable; to be weak and make mistakes. We still say ” man up” get over it.. there is such a lack of understanding and compassion. I think Men handle depression in different ways. But it is no less than that of a woman.
RIP.. very sad for his family and friends left to wonder why.
I was more unsettled by this than I thought, but when I think about it, LP was a big part of my teen years. But Christ, his poor family. I hope whatever pain he was in is over now, but for his family, I hope they have a large and loving support system in place. It’s bad enough to lose a family member to suicide, much less see it played out in the media.
I know.
I think of his kids and I think…oh Lord, they are going to ask why forever. But to be honest it was all there in Breaking the Habit.
I didn’t even know that he battled depression – I thought they were just trying to be cool with all that Eminem angst stuff.
RIP Chester.
This man was an artIst. Being abused while his own father actually investigated abused children for the police. Personally speaking, being abused by a family member as a child it’s pretty easy to understand how you then you grow up resenting the people who were supposed to be protecting you. So he’s got to carry that around forever very heavy burden for anyone. Seems like he tried to start his own family fresh and make a good life but this along with drugs alcholic issues must have overwhelmed him. Great musician whose work gave many fans a product to reflect on our own issues, longings and frustration. Rest in Peace.
I was out sick yesterday and didn’t hear the news until today. I literally grew up listening to these guys and still today am still a fan. I’m so torn up about this. It’s so hard to swallow when you hear about someone with so much talent end their life. I was just as broken about Robin Williams and a BMX rider, Dave Mira who lived here in my hometown. You never know a person’s struggles. It’s important we are always kind.
You know, his passing hit me harder than I would’ve expected. I was listening to my favourite LP song “Leave Out All the Rest” and I couldn’t help but cry because the lyrics are so strong and really fitting to this moment. He was a huge part of my childhood and teenage years , and – while I’m sure some people might think it’s silly – his music really help me a lot to go through depression. So hearing that an artist whose songs were so important to me during those times going away for possibly the same reasons is really heartbreaking.
My prayers go to him, his friends and family. Rest in peace, sir.
I am crying. I love Linkin Park. I’ve been playing their old and new stuff a lot lately. It got me through my teenage years. I knew he struggled with depression (it’s obvious in the music), but I’m just so, so heartbroken over this.
We used to hang out for coding at a friend’s house back in my high school years and among the music we played during the long hours it took us to run a program I remember Hybrid Theory was always on loop. It is sad to learn that he had to deal with so many difficult circumstances in his life and that at it had to end like this. R.I.P. and my condolences to the family.
Yeah, this one actually hit me. I loved LP, so i couldn’t even listen to any of this music ater the news of his death, which is what I normally do, because I knew I’d start crying. The lyrics just sound painful, and seeing his fate.. I really couldn’t.
Huge fan of Linkin Park, not as a teenager but a woman in my 40’s when they emerged. Not sure what that says about their music but it spoke to me and got me through tough times. I met these guys backstage a few years ago and they were all humble and kind. Chester mentioned his children which was incredibly sweet. I work out to their music, now a woman in my 50’s. I’ve been waiting for the tour…
Thank you for not using outdated terminology that makes it sound like a crime occurred.
Good catch.
Caught in the title but not in the first paragraph though…maybe they’ll see this post and edit it!
“On Thursday afternoon, the news broke that Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington had passed. According to TMZ, he committed suicide by hanging himself in his Palos Verdes Estates home. His body was discovered at 9 am (PST) by an employee.”
Devastated. Just devastated. Rest in peace, sweet man.
I really hope.he is at peace. And that his kids will find a way to understand that he was in pain and could not take it anymore.
Children understand everything. I think they already have. But it is still terribly painful to lose a parent, at any age.
Discovered Numb after a harrowing and bullied day. Been with me since college.
I just cannot believe this.
Chester, may your soul find its path again
His voice. If angst and anguish had a sound it would be his voice. So sad.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255
Available 24 hours everyday
This is so tragic and sad.
I lost my father to suicide when I was a kid. It’s a pain that never leaves you and an act that is never understood. SO many “what ifs”…
Today I work with the BC Crisis Centre to teach teens about mental health and suicide awareness and prevention to help themselves and their friends. It’s a tough topic to discuss but so very important today…
It is chilling to realize how fine a line so many of us walk. I work in a field where suicide is unfortunately common. It is not that easy to get confidential help if suicidal thoughts strike.
Thanks for posting the Jay-Z collaboration of Numb – what an awesome track.
RIP Chester. Linkin Park was a huge part of my late high school/university music rotation.
Never has the passing of any musician or ‘famous’ person hit me harder than this. I’m still surprised at how sad I am but it is heart-wrenching sad when someone has struggled with such awful things, whoever they are. I grew up with LP and their music will always mean so much to me. All I can hope is that he is in a much better place and finally free from his torment, at peace, knowing that he (and the rest of the band) gave us so much incredible, passionate music.
“Who cares if one more light goes out?… Well I do.” rip, Chester. xo
I’ve been a fan since they started and was lucky enough to see them a few times. I can’t explain how his death makes me feel it’s just too sad. My prayers are with his family and with Chester…he will be missed.
How could a man sing so beautifully and carry himself so humbly, year in, year out? He was priceless. I loved him. So sad to see him go. In The End was my very first introduction to rock music back in high school. A genre I had never known about was opened to me and with it came knowledge, entertainment and lots of friends made. Friends who’ve gone their separate ways now but ones who gave me some if the best memories of my life by simply bonding over rock music. I had the biggest crush on Mike Shinoda whilst my pal had one on Chester. Breaks my heart that he is no more. I pray for Grace for his family, the grace to accept and understand. As one who has been on the verge of suicide, it is a whole other sphere one operates in once they’ve decided on the act. You feel irredeemable. Sometimes I’m scared I’ll end up.back there. I try not to dwell on it. Thank you Chester. For the beautiful music. I wish one could hug another from halfway across the world, I wish we could know and see automatically what is hurting another so we can help, console and be gentle with them. I haven’t shed much tears. Not as I did when Prince died. Not because I don’t care, but rather, because, as the LP song states, I’ve become so numb. From losing MJ years ago, which really depressed me, to Prince to George Michael’s, now Chester…and others I’m sure I’ve forgotten..I feel as though death is a little too close to the people my age. It’s also a little too unfair to take all my faves. But I feel numb. Helpless and resigned. For how do u fight an enemy you don’t comprehend? Appreciate your fave band today. A band you abandoned years ago. Heck, buy their “best of” album. Post that to their page. Take your kids, nieces and nephews to a concert by a band u once loved (if they’ll even wanna come lol). Call up a friend from ur youth. Hang out and reminisce band memories. RIP Chester.
A genius, musical and otherwise. Bless you on your Journey. 😇
Interesting comments about suicide. I first experienced the suicide of a loved one when my best friend took his life when I was twenty two. Since then I’ve known six people who have committed suicide. Having battled with depression myself I understand what it’s like to just want the pain to end. At my darkest moments the thing that stops me from doing it is thinking about the impact it would have on my kids. But I understand that for some people the pain can become so great and so unrelenting that it completely overwhelms any resistance. Also, when I’m depressed it helps when I recognize it for what it is rather than feed into the stories the depression is telling me.
I bought Hybrid Theory and remember listening to it for the first and thinking, I have never heard a voice like his and now I don’ t think I will ever will again. It was magnetic and mesmerizing. Damn, this stings for several reasons.
RIP, Chester. This really hit me hard. I played Hybrid Theory to death that I broke it. I was working in a automotive supplies shop and we played LP every single day and we never get tired of it. I think LP were the voice of the youth in the early aughts and they were a huge part in our formative years. Chester had the best rock voice. When people started to slag them off because they toured with the likes of Hoobastank and Limp Bizkit and it was cool to hate because they were replaced by priviledged garage rockers, I always tell them no one else has the vocal power and real angst like Chester. NO ONE. And LP were advancing rock sound. They changed the music scene only to be stalled because people have then favored post punk revival, indie garage led by talented yet very priviledged, comfortable musicians.
Again, Rip Chester. I hope his family will find comfort and peace.
My heart broke when I first read the news this morning.. during my most difficult teenage years Linkin Park were there, their music helped me a lot and I felt I wasn’t alone.. this is so so heartbreaking..RIP Chester, RIP Linkin Park.
💔💔💔💔
This hurts my heart. I hope he has found the peace his soul was searching for.
I loved Hybrid Theory, my first ever music CD. I know it by heart. It shaped my teenager years. This news is incredibly sad. Ohh, man! RIP Chester!
This is so heartbreaking. I cried and I still am. #OneMoreLightOut #RIPChesterBennington
This has really upset me.
sometimes anxiety and pain become too much for a person to keep existing in them. I don’t know that that’s what happened here, but I hope he is free from his torments now.
Some people don’t have lots of people who love them. Some people find the stress of interacting with society isn’t worth the return. For someone who has simply become tired of it and doesn’t have a lot of resources, I can see the allure of suicide. If you had endless resources, it would perhaps be easier to carve out a palatable existence. Not everyone has that anyways, and his suicide is proof that that doesn’t really matter in the end.
He may have ended his pain, but he has caused a life time of pain to many others. Can’t understand why he would think his 6 kids were better off without their father. Tragic.
Please have a read of the other comments above, there is some great insight there that as someone who has not suffered from depression or other mental illnesses I cannot provide. What I do know is that depression isn’t as cut and dry as your comment suggests. If all you could ever see and believe was that the world was black and white, how would you know the world was technicolour? It doesn’t make you selfish, rational or otherwise, so you can’t possibly take such a narrow view on his decision when you have no idea what were his reasons.
What I meant was HIS DEATH may have caused a lifetime of pain to those who loved him. I think it’s tragic that his 6 kids lost him 🙁
It is possible that he though his kids would be happier without him around.
This has been the most difficult celebrity death that I’ve experienced. Hit me like a ton of bricks. I kept hearing certain LP songs in my head like they were on a loop, yet I couldn’t bring myself to actually listen to the music. Today, I talked to my husband and decided that I needed to listen to the music, so we pulled up YouTube. We watched the videos with lyrics for the album “Minutes to Midnight”, which is my favorite LP album. As we watched and listened, reading the lyrics honestly seemed like we were reading his journal. You can hear the pain in his voice. I bawled my eyes as we read along to his beautiful music. It felt like it was a kind of memorial service for him.
Chester, thank you for sharing your beautiful soul with us. I hope that you have found the peace you were so desperately seeking. You will be missed exponentially. Bless his wife and children.
I agree. I usually always listen to the songs after an artist dies (George Michael for example, who I completely adored and idolized) but I just can not listen to Chester yet. I was never a fan but I really noticed the song “Numb” when it first came out because it was just so honest and real. I thought it was cheesy at first but then I realized that it was just too close to my own experience to dare to appreciate it.
It is really heartbreaking when people whose work saves other people from killing themselves end up dying like this.