TMZ – Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington has committed suicide … TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell us the singer hanged himself at a private residence in Palos Verdes Estates in L.A. County. His body was discovered Thursday just before 9 AM.
Chester was married with 6 children from 2 wives.
The singer struggled with drugs and alcohol for years. He had said in the past he had considered committing suicide because he had been abused as a child by an older male.
Just. Fucking gut-wrenching shit. Chester Bennington was incredibly kind, humble and so talented. It’s such a shame. It always is when someone takes their life, not just Chester.
15 years ago Linkin Park came to Toronto for Ozzfest, and we ran a contest with their music label where you could join the band and me for Chinese food and video games. He and Mike Shinoda treated everyone like we were all friends. Funny. Engaging and so smart.
Most people with addiction issues are. They think they’ve outsmarted the world, and you’re powerless against booze/drugs, so all that’s left to deal with is the pain, so you medicate. It’s the easiest way to deal with pain and fear or at least that’s where people with addiction arrive, so they cut out early. I’ve had friends that fit the description. The destruction they leave behind doesn’t matter. They just look at death as a peaceful finish line.
The night we took a car to my house because Chester wanted to borrow the new Soprano’s season for the tour bus. On the way back he told me he hadn’t drunk in a while. When I asked why he said, “because it comes for me dude, then I do nasty shit.”
Two months later Chester called me, thanked me for the tapes and hoped I was well. He didn’t have to, but he did. I didn’t know him well, but I assume that’s what he was like.
You never know what someone’s battling today. Be kind and aware.
If you or someone you know needs help, get in touch with www.suicideprevention.ca in Canada or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ in the US.
http://www.dcontario.org/centres.html also has a list of distress centers that you can access here too.
