Chester Bennington dead: Linkin Park bandmate 'heartbroken' over musician's tragic death
LINKIN PARK’S Mike Shinoda has spoken out to pay tribute after his bandmate Chester Bennington committed suicide earlier today aged just 41.
Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda said he's 'heartbroken' over Chester Bennington's death
Mike, 40 - who co-founded Linkin Park in 1996 - took to Twitter to say that he’s been left “shocked and heartbroken” by frontman Chester’s tragic death.
He posted: “Shocked and heartbroken, but it's true. An official statement will come out as soon as we have one.”
The likes of Jimmy Kimmel, Biffy Clyro and Imagine Dragons were also amongst stars to take to social media to pay tribute.
Mike said Linkin Park will release a full statement
Mike took to Twitter to pay tribute to his bandmate this evening
Chester was found dead aged 41
Linkin Park perform Good Goodbye at Brixton Academy
Shocked and heartbroken, but it's true. An official statement will come out as soon as we have one
It was reported earlier today that Chester committed suicide, with TMZ stating that he was found dead at a private residence in Palos Verdes Estates in Los Angeles. His body was reportedly discovered just before 9am.
The musician - who recently toured the UK - was close to Chris Cornell, who committed suicide back in May and would have been celebrating his 53rd birthday today.
Chester - who was married with six children from two wives - had written an open letter to Chris after news of his tragic death emerged online, with his post including the words: “You have inspired me in so many ways you could have never known. Your talent was pure and unrivaled."
It was reported earlier today that Chester had committed suicide
He continued: “Your voice was joy and pain, anger and forgiveness, love and heartache all wrapped up into one. I suppose that’s what we all are. You helped me understand that.”
Chester has battled a drug and alcohol addiction over the years and said that he had considered committing suicide in the past because he had been abused as a child.
However, he insisted in 2011 that he had quit drinking because “he didn’t want to be that person anymore”.