Linkin Park Frontman Chester Bennington Dead at 41

Bennington performing with Linkin Park in 2008 – Image Credit: norrelb (CC by SA-2.0)

The Los Angeles Country coroner has reported that Chester Bennington, vocalist of the band Linkin Park, has died from an apparent suicide by hanging at the age of 41. His body was discovered at around 9 a.m. at his home at Palos Verdes Estates. Fellow Linkin Park vocalist Mike Shinoda took to Twitter stating that he was “shocked and heartbroken.”

Known for their unique blend of rap, metal and electronic music, Linkin Park first achieved mainstream success in 2000 with their hit debut album Hybrid Theory. Bennington’s trademark screamed vocals contrasted well with Shinoda’s rapping. The band’s most recent album, One More Light, was released in May. Bennington was also the frontman for Stone Temple Pilots from 2013 to 2015. A native of Phoenix, Bennington had been a victim of childhood sexual abuse, and suffered from drug addiction throughout his career.