Linkin Park frontman suicides

Chester Bennington, the rock musician best known as the lead singer of Linkin Park, was found dead in his place in Palos Verdes Estates, Los Angeles, California on Thursday.

The 41-year-old appears to have hung himself, TMZ outlet said, referring to the police.

Bennington first gained prominence as a vocalist following the release of Linkin Park's debut album, Hybrid Theory, in 2000, which became a commercial success. The album was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2005, making it the best-selling debut album of the decade, as well as one of the few albums to ever hit that many sales. Linkin Park's following studio albums, Meteora (2003), Minutes to Midnight (2007), A Thousand Suns (2010), Living Things (2012), and The Hunting Party (2014), continued the band's success. Bennington formed his own band, Dead by Sunrise, as a side project in 2005.

Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda tweeted the band would come up with an official statement on the tragic event, as soon as they it's ready.

Shocked and heartbroken, but it's true. An official statement will come out as soon as we have one.

— Mike Shinoda (@mikeshinoda) 7.20.2017 

Bennington left behind six children in two marriages. Over the last years, he suffered from alcoholism and drug addiction. Once he came out, saying he considered killing himself because he was raped as a kid.  

The vocalist was a good friend of Chris Cornell, another famous performer and the leading singer (ex-Soundgarden, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog, Center for Disease Control Boys) who also committed suicide in May. Today, July 20, would be Cornell’s 53rd birthday.