Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington died Thursday at age 41. In the days leading up to his untimely passing, the “In The End” vocalist was still active on social media. His final posts show that he seemed to love performing on stage for his dedicated fans.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/PAITXcOViU
โ Chester Bennington (@ChesterBe) July 5, 2017
On Twitter, Bennington’s final posts were a series of retweets. One image he retweeted was posted originally by his wife of six years, Talinda Bennington. The two were together for six years before the singer’s death.
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Up Next: New Details Emerge in Chester Bennington’s Death
The last Twitter photo that Bennington uploaded was a picture that showed him during a performance with a massive crowd watching him.
On Instagram, the “Numb” musician’s last post was a photo from a concert in Birmingham, U.K. The picture was taken from behind and shows scores of fans raising their hands enjoying watching Bennington perform.
Not only did these photos give a glimpse into how meaningful music was in Bennington’s life, but also how deeply his songs impacted his fans.
After Bennington was found dead in his California home on Thursday morning from an apparent suicide, a number of heartbreaking details have surfaced about his passing. Keep scrolling to learn more about the circumstances surrounding Bennington’s death.
Photo credit: Getty / Dimitrios Kambouris
Chester Bennington’s Suicide Nearly Identical to Chris Cornell’s
New reports from the scene ofย Linkinย Parkย lead singerย Chesterย Bennington’sย deathย show that he and lateย Soundgardenย frontmanย Chris Cornell diedย in almost identical ways.
Bennington was found hanging from a door separating his bedroom from his closet at hisย Palosย Verdesย Estates residence. The Grammy-winning singer killed himself on Cornell’s 53rd birthday.
Similarly, Cornell committed suicide by hanging from a hotel door separating the bedroom and the bathroom.
Benningtonย was found by the police with a belt around his neck. Cornell was discovered by his bodyguard with an exercise band around his neck.
The rock musicians toured together forย Linkinย Park’sย Projektย Revolution music festival tour in 2007 and 2008. The two seemed to have formed a special bond asย Benningtonย sang at Cornell’s memorial serviceย back in May. While beingย joined by fellowย Linkinย Park guitarist, Bradย Delson, the two performed Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Chester Bennington Had a Troubled History With Depression and Substance Abuse
Through a scan of interviews thatย Benningtonย gave over the years, it’s clear that his mental health and predilection to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol were of serious concern.
In a 2015 interview withย Rock Sound,ย Benningtonย said of his dark days, “I literally hated life and I was like, ‘I don’t want to have feelings. I want to be a sociopath.ย I don’t want to do anything. I don’t want to care what other people feel like. I want to feel nothing.’ “
During a later interview withย Noisecreep,ย Benningtonย seemed to have turned a corner with his drinking issues.
“It’s not cool to be an alcoholic. It’s not cool to go drink and be aย dumbass,” he said. “It’s cool to be a part of recovery. This is just who I am, this is what I write about, what I do, and most of my work has been a reflection ofย what I’ve been going throughย in one way or another.”
Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda Reacts to Bandmate Chester Bennington’s Death
Since the news broke,ย Bennington’sย friends and fans alike have been reacting to hisย deathย onย social media, includingย bandmateย Mikeย Shinoda, who took to Twitter to express his devastation.
Shocked and heartbroken, but it’s true. An official statement will come out as soon as we have one.
โ Mike Shinoda (@mikeshinoda) July 20, 2017
“Shocked and heartbroken, but it’s true,” he wrote. “An official statement will come out as soon as we have one.”
Shinoda wasย an original founder of the band in 1996 and produced and co-wrote much of the group’s music.
Linkin Park was set to begin a tour next week, and their latest album,ย One Moreย Light, was released in May. However, given Bennington’sย death, the group has reportedly decided to cancel the tour.
Hollywood Reacts to Linkin Park Frontman Chester Bennington’s Death
In addition to his fans and friends, Bennington’sย death had a ripple effectย across the entertainment community. A bevy of singers, actors and other celebrities have taken to social media to express their reaction in regards toย Bennington’sย passing.
Singer Rob Thomas shared his thoughts with his song of the day.
song of the day: NUMB – LINKIN PARK pic.twitter.com/7itrfa0Sz6
โ Rob Thomas (@ThisIsRobThomas) July 20, 2017
“Oh dear God. Massive R.I.P to Chester Bennington of @linkinpark this BREAKS OUR HEART,” read a tweet from One Republic. “Suicide is the devil on earth walking amongst us.”
Oh dear God. Massive R.I.P to Chester Bennington of @linkinpark this BREAKS OUR HEART. Suicide is the devil on earth walking amongst us ?
โ OneRepublic (@OneRepublic) July 20, 2017
Chester had 6 kids. If anyone out there thinks the world is better without you. You are so unspeakably wrong on every level. Get help plz
โ OneRepublic (@OneRepublic) July 20, 2017
Hollywood Reacts to Linkin Park Frontman Chester Bennington’s Death (cont.)
Jimmy Kimmel called Benningtonย “one of the kindest men I’ve had on my show.”
Chester was one of the kindest men I’ve had on my show. My heart breaks for his family and friends. He will be missed terribly.
โ Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) July 20, 2017
The band Imagine Dragons wrote that they had no words.
no words. so heartbroken. RIP Chester Bennington.
โ Imagine Dragons (@Imaginedragons) July 20, 2017
Hollywood Reacts to Linkin Park Frontman Chester Bennington’s Death (cont.)
Aaron Carter offered his condolences to Bennington’s family and friends.
Absolutely heart wrenching! Prayers to @ChesterBe family and friends. #bekindtooneanother #onelove https://t.co/Qijugmt4so
โ Aaron Carter (@aaroncarter) July 20, 2017
Halestorm member Arejay Hale echoed Carter’s sentiments, sending support to the band’s families.
OMFG I just heard the horrible news about Chester Bennington, how awful! My heart goes to the LP families, I was shocked to hear this today!
โ AREJAY HALE (@AREJAYHALE) July 20, 2017
Makeup guru and musician Jeffree Star wrote that he was “heartbroken” to hear the news.
I’m so heartbroken to hear about Chester Bennington. We lost another legend =( #RIP
โ Jeffree Star (@JeffreeStar) July 20, 2017
Benningtonย is survived by his wife of 11 years,ย Talindaย Bentley, and their six children.
If you or someone you know needs help and is contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).