Chester Bennington, Lead Singer of Rock Band Linkin Park, was found dead in his apartment yesterday.
The apparent suicide was a total shock not only to his fans, but even band colleagues and friends.
Police reports that he hanged himself in his home in Palos Verdes, California.
Chester Bennington was only 41 years old.
His death came on the day of his close friend Chris Cornell's birthday, who himself had committed suicide by hanging in may this year.
According to friends, Cornell's death had affected Bennington a lot - afterwards, he was "never the same".
During the time of his suicide, Bennington's family was out of town and he was home alone.
The band was actually in the middle of a tour and had plans for a photoshoot on that same day - and only 2 hours before the news of his death, Linkin Park's newest music video went live.
This just goes to show that Bennington's suicide was a total surprise to everyone.
Despite his powerful voice and rock songs, Bennington had a sensitive soul and had struggled with addiction all his life, following a troubled childhood of abuse.
In Linkin Park, he finally found the family he never had.
His suicide goes to show that money and fame can't buy happiness - he was under a lot of pressure, especially after the criticism of Linkin Park's latest studio album "One more light" released earlier this year.
Fans and critics were saying that the album was "too soft" and was nothing compared to the rock hits of "Meteora" or "Hybrid theory" from the early 2000's.
Chester Bennington during his last concert with Linkin Park in Birmingham this month
Linkin Park is a very special band - I have created choreographies to their songs and enjoyed their different styles a lot.
I still remember exactly how the Hip Hop World was introduced to Linkin Park in 2008 with their cooperation with Jay-Z on "Collision Course".
Especially Numb/Encore became a huge hit and since then, Linkin Park showed that they don't stick to one genre - they create their own style.
Linkin Park's songs have touched millions of people and actually saved countless fans from committing suicide themselves.
A youtube comment from a fan reads: "Your words have saved my life, why couldn't they save yours?"
Reactions
The whole world, millions of fans, and especially fellow musicians and celebrities are in shock about Bennington's sudden death.
Below I want to share some of their reactions and tributes.
His death is not the end - it's only the beginning of something new.
I'm sending prayers and strength to his family and loved ones.
May he be happy and successful in his next life, let's hope that his soul has found peace.
© Sirwinchester