Linkin Park Singer Chester Bennington Has Reportedly Committed Suicide

Chris Bennington, lead vocalist of rock band Linkin Park, has committed suicide.

Law enforcement told TMZ the singer hanged himself at a private residence in Palos Verdes Estates in Los Angeles County. Bennington’s body was discovered Thursday morning.

As the lead vocalist of Linking Park, Bennington saw much success. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album Hybrid Theory (2000). Amid extensive touring and charity work around the world, Linkin Park went on to release 7 studio albums over the years — their most recent being One More Light released May 19, 2017 — and collaborated with several other artists, including rapper Jay-Z in their mashup EP Collision Course.

According to TMZ, “the singer struggled with drugs and alcohol for years. He had said in the past he had considered committing suicided because he had been abused as a child by an older male.”

During a recent performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Bennington dedicated their most recent album’s title track to close friend Chris Cornell. Cornell committed suicide in May.

Upon hearing of Chester’s death, Cornell’s wife tweeted this:

Later this month, Linkin Park was scheduled to perform a pair of shows with Blink 182, dubbed “Blinkin Park.” The shows were set to take place July 28 in New York City and July 30 in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Though no official statement from the band has been released, Bennington’s bandmate Mike Shinoda tweeted this shortly after the news broke:

News of Bennington’s death shocked many, including myself. Linkin Park’s music has helped many get through the toughest of times, and it’s heartbreaking to know Bennington himself could not get through his. He will be missed.

Bennington was married and had six children.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.