The just-released autopsy report on Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington confirms the rocker had a trace amount of alcohol in his system when he hanged himself in his Los Angeles home on July 20 at the age of 41, according to TMZ.
The County Of Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s autopsy and toxicology results determined Bennington’s blood also tested "presumptive positive" for MDMA (ecstasy) ... based on one test. Two subsequent tests did not detect the drug, and the ultimate conclusion was that the musician was not under the influence of drugs when he died.
TMZ adds that the report indicates authorities found a prescription bottle of Zolpidem – a generic version of the sleep aid Ambien – on his dresser; there was also a pint glass of Corona, which was less than half full, and an empty bottle of Stella Artois.
The coroner noted "autopsy findings are characteristic of suicidal hanging. There was a history of suicidal ideation."
TMZ reports Bennington’s widow, Talinda, said her husband had a history of depression and previous suicide attempts, including one in 2006 when he left the house with a gun after drinking heavily; she also confirmed that the singer was enrolled in an outpatient treatment program at the time of his death.
Bennington’s full autopsy report can be viewed at tmz.com
Survived by his wife, Talinda, and six children, the singer was laid to rest in a private ceremony at South Coast Botanic Garden near his home on July 29 that was attended by his family, closest friends and fellow musicians.
In the days following his passing, the surviving members of Linkin Park penned an open letter to their fallen bandmate, which read, in part: “Dear Chester, our hearts are broken. The shockwaves of grief and denial are still sweeping through our family as we come to grips with what has happened… Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled - a boisterous, funny, ambitious, creative, kind, generous voice in the room is missing.
“We’re trying to remind ourselves that 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. You fearlessly put them on display, and in doing so, brought us together and taught us to be more human. You had the biggest heart, and managed to wear it on your sleeve.”
The group hosted a tribute concert in honor of Bennington at the Hollywood Bowl on October 27, where they were joined by members of Avenged Sevenfold, Bring Me The Horizon, Blink-182, Alanis Morissette, Bush, Korn, No Doubt, Steve Aoki, Sum 41, Echosmith, Machine Gun Kelly and System Of A Down, among others.
On December 15, Linkin Park will release “One More Light Live”, an album featuring performances recorded during the band’s tour in support of 2017’s “One More Light.”
See also:
VIDEO: Linkin Park stream Crawling from One More Light Live
VIDEO: Linkin Park preview One More Light Live album
Linkin Park to release One More Light Live album
VIDEO: Linkin Park host Chester Bennington tribute concert
Search Linkin Park at hennemusic
