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Linkin Park Singer Chester Bennington Dies By Suicide

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Chester Bennington, the lead singer for Linkin Park, died by suicide, TMZ reported on Thursday. The singer was 41 years old.

According to TMZ, Bennington struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for years, and said he had suicidal ideations after being abused as a child by an older man.

Bennington was friends with Chris Cornell, the lead singer for Soundgarden, who died by suicide in May. After Cornell’s passing, Bennington shared an open letter to the singer on Twitter, thanking him for talent and friendship.

Reacting to the news, fans and friends shared their condolences as well as how Bennington and his music affected them.

If this news is hard for you, know you are not alone — and there is help for people who are feeling suicidal. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.

Editor’s note: The Mighty follows suicide prevention experts’ recommendations for reporting on suicide. When sharing or reporting Bennington’s death, please refrain from sharing the method.

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.

If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

If you or a loved one is affected by sexual abuse or assault and need help, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.

Photo via Linkin Park Facebook.

Image via Wikimedia Commons/Kristina Servant

Originally published: July 20, 2017
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