9 Years Without Chester Bennington: The Tragic Death of Linkin Park's Frontman

Chester Bennington became world-famous as the lead singer of the band Linkin Park. But his life ended tragically and far too soon. It has now been nine years since his death.

It came as a huge shock when Chester Bennington, the lead singer of Linkin Park, passed away on July 20, 2017. He was only 41 years old.

The cause of death was determined to be suicide by hanging, as reported by "Us Weekly." He was found in that condition by an employee on the upper floor of his home in the Palos Verdes Estates neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The medical examiner had previously told "Us Weekly" that there were no signs of drugs at the scene of Bennington's death, but there was a half-empty bottle and a completely empty bottle of alcohol in the room. In addition, a prescription sleeping pill was found. No suicide note was found.

His close friend and fellow musician Chris Cornell, lead singer of the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave, also took his own life in May, before Bennington's death. The anniversary of Bennington's death falls on his friend's birthday.

Linkin Park's latest album, "One More Light," was released in May 2017. Bennington's death occurred just a few days before the band was set to begin the U.S. leg of their new tour.

In previous interviews, Bennington has spoken openly about his struggles with drugs and alcohol. "It's not cool to be an alcoholic—it's not cool to drink and be a fool," he told "Noisecreep" in 2009. "It's cool to be part of recovery. That's just who I am, what I write about, what I do, and most of my work reflects what I've been through in one way or another," the singer said.

He also shared details about the abuse he endured as a child. This was one of the causes of his depression and drug problems. In a 2011 interview with *The Guardian*, Bennington said: “When I was young, getting beaten up and pretty much raped was no fun. No one wants that to happen to you and honestly, I don't remember when it started. My God, no wonder I became a drug addict. No wonder I just went completely insane for a little while."

Bennington is survived by his wife, Talinda Ann Bentley, and his six children: Jaime, Isaiah, Draven, Tyler Lee, and the twins Lily and Lila.

In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper for the special report "Finding Hope: Battling America's Suicide Crisis," Chester Bennington's wife, Talinda, said, "in the days before he died, Chester Bennington had seemed happy and well."