Linkin Park members ‘heartbroken’ over bandmate Chester Bennington’s death

Mike Shinoda and Dave Farrell have said they are “heartbroken” by the death of close friend and bandmate, Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington.

Bennington, 41, was found dead in a suspected suicide, the Los Angeles County coroner has said.

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

Hours before the news was announced, the band debuted a new video for their song Talking To Myself, taken from their latest album One More Light.

Farrell tweeted a link to the video, a montage of clips from their shows, and asked fans what they thought.

He later tweeted just one word, “heartbroken”, after learning of his friend’s passing.

The date of Bennington’s death, July 20, also marks what would have been the 53rd birthday of one of his close friends, former Audioslave and Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell, who died in May this year.

LA County coroner spokesman Brian Elias confirmed that law enforcement had responded to reports of a death in the Palos Verdes Estates area in LA.

American website TMZ first reported the news, saying the singer’s body had been found at a private residence in LA.

The band recently performed in the UK on the European leg of their One More Light world tour, which saw them play to packed venues in London and Birmingham.

hey have won two Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, four MTV VMA Awards, 10 MTV Europe Music Awards and scores of other accolades.

The band has collaborated with many artists over the years including Jay-Z and, more recently, London grime star Stormzy for a track on their new album called Good Goodbye.

Stormzy posted on Twitter shortly after the news broke, writing: “I am heartbroken you do not know what someone’s going through serious. Prayers up for your family right now my brother.”

Warner Bros Records CEO and chairman Cameron Strang made a heartfelt statement about Bennington, whose band is signed to the label.

He said: “Chester Bennington was an artist of extraordinary talent and charisma, and a human being with a huge heart and a caring soul.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his beautiful family, his band-mates and his many friends.”\

In April this year, while promoting their latest tour in London, Bennington opened up during a Q&A session following a playback of a few tracks from One More Light.