Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington died Thursday morning of an apparent suicide by hanging; he was 41.
TMZ first reported that Bennington’s body was discovered just before 9am at a private residence in Palos Verdes Estates in L.A. County.
According to the Los Angeles Times, firefighters received a call about 9 a.m. regarding a cardiac arrest in the 2800 block of Via Victoria in Palos Verdes Estates, said Joey Napoli, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The report indicated the male victim had hanged himself, he said, adding that firefighters arrived and cleared the scene by 9:29 am.
No further details regarding the incident were announced at press time.
“Shocked and heartbroken, but it's true,” confirmed the singer’s bandmate Mike Shinoda on Twitter. “An official statement will come out as soon as we have one.”
Linkin Park were formed in Agoura Hills, CA in 1996 by high school friends Shinoda, Rob Bourdon and Brad Delson. After some lineup changes, Bennington joined the group in 1999, ahead of the release of their 2000 debut album, “Hybrid Theory.”
The record was an instant success, issuing four singles – including the US No. 2 “In The End” – on its way to selling almost 5 million copies in its first year. “Hybrid Theory” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and went on to earn Diamond Status Stateside for sales of more than 11 million.
A string of US No. 1’s followed, including 2004’s “Meteora”, 2007’s “Minutes To Midnight”, 2010’s “A Thousand Suns” and 2012’s “Living Things.”
In addition to his Linkin Park gig, Bennington joined Stone Temple Pilots in 2013 following their split with Scott Weiland. Citing the group as one of his main influences, the singer went on to record an EP, “High Rise”, and tour with the band before exiting on good terms in late 2015.
Following 2014’s “The Hunting Party”, Linkin Park returned in 2017 with their seventh album, “One More Light.” The project saw the band expand their sonic palette, which drew some mixed reviews from longtime fans despite debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Outside of his band affiliations, Bennington appeared in a pair of Jason Statham-led films, including “200’s “Crank” and its 2009 sequel, “Crank: High Voltage”, as well as the 2010 horror flick, “Saw 3D.”
The rocker contributed solo efforts to soundtracks to 2002’s “Queen Of The Damned” and 2006’s “Underworld: Evolution”, among others.
Bennington recently sang Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at the memorial service for Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell in May after writing an open letter to his friend on the day of his suicide by hanging in a Detroit, MI hotel room.
Bennington’s July 20 death lands on what would have been Cornell’s 53rd birthday.
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
See also:
VIDEO: Linkin Park perform at Rock Werchter festival in Belgium
VIDEO: Linkin Park perform on The Late Late Show with James Corden
Linkin Park debut at US No. 1 with One More Light
VIDEO: Linkin Park perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Search Linkin Park at hennemusic
