Chester Bennington, lead singer for popular rock band Linkin Park, has died and his death is being investigated as a possible suicide, authorities said Thursday. He was 41.
The international superstar was found dead on Thursday morning at his home in Palos Verdes Estates. Xinhua news agency reported that police found him dead after a call. The news agency quoted Brian Elias, chief of operations for the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, as saying.
The singer battled addictions to drugs and alcohol over the years and acknowledged having contemplated suicide as a youth after being sexually molested.
Bennington was close to Soundgarden front man Chris Cornell, who died in May of an apparent suicide.
Thursday would have been Cornell’s 53rd birthday.
For fans in the Northeast, the hotbed of Western music in India, it was a shocker. “I am shocked. I, like many many others, grew up listening to the band. In the end, it does matter…,” said Peter Tayeng, a resident of Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh.
When a local FM radio station RJ in Guwahati began her programme on Friday, she was numb…almost unable to hide her emotions on air. “I wish I could come up with a better news. I wish he was alive..his band introduced Western music to many of us…” she said.
Founded in 1996, Linkin Park made seven albums and had hits with songs including ‘In the End’ and ‘Crawling’. Their latest release, ‘One More Light’ debuted at No 1 on the Billboard album chart.
In addition to his work with Linkin Park, Bennington did a stint as lead vocalist with Stone Temple Pilot.
The twice-married Bennington is survived by six children.
