Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park releases statement

The members of Linkin Park on Monday said their “hearts are broken” following Chester Bennington’s death on July 20.

In the band’s first statement since their frontman died by hanging on what would have been the 53rd birthday of his late friend Chris Cornell, Linkin Park acknowledged Bennington’s struggles with depression and substance abuse, writing, “the demons who took you away from us were always part of the deal.”

Linkin Park added: “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.”

GALLERY: Chester Bennington’s Life in Photos

The alt-rock group — including members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave Farrell, Joe Hahn, and Rob Bourdon — also mentioned Bennington’s roles as a husband to his wife Talinda and father to his six children from multiple relationships. “You touched so many lives, maybe even more than you realized,” the bandmates wrote. “In the past few days, we’ve seen an outpouring of love and support, both public and private, from around the world. Talinda and the family appreciate it, and want the world to know that you were the best husband, son, and father; the family will never be whole without you.”

Read the emotional statement in its entirety below:

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.

You touched so many lives, maybe even more than you realized. In the past few days, we’ve seen an outpouring of love and support, both public and private, from around the world. Talinda and the family appreciate it, and want the world to know that you were the best husband, son, and father; the family will never be whole without you.

Talking with you about the years ahead together, your excitement was infectious. 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.

Our love for making and performing music is inextinguishable. While we don’t know what path our future may take, we know that each of our lives was made better by you. Thank you for that gift. We love you, and miss you so much.

Until we see you again,
LP

Bennington died by suicide at age 41 on Thursday after hanging himself from a bedroom door at a private residence in Palo Verdes Estates, the Los Angeles Coroner’s Office confirmed to EW on Friday. Shinoda was among the celebrities who reacted to the news on Twitter, writing, “Shocked and heartbroken, but it’s true.”

In the wake of Bennington’s death, Linkin Park and Blink-182 have canceled their co-headlining summer tour, titled Welcome to Blinkin Park.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).