New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Linkin Park has issued its first public statement since lead singer Chester Bennington committed suicide last week at his home. As previously reported, following several years of substance abuse and depression, the 41-year old stunned the music community by hanging himself around 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 20.
"Dear Chester," reads the letter. "Our hearts are broken. The shockwaves of grief and denial are still sweeping through our family as we come to grips with what has happened."
Posted on the group's website on Monday (July 24), the letter also addresses Bennington's lasting impact on fans and family members. "You touched so many lives, maybe even more than you realized," they added. "In the past few days, we've seen an outpouring of love and support, both public and private, from around the world. Talinda and the family appreciate it, and want the world to know that you were the best husband, son, and father; the family will never be whole without you."
The moving letter also addresses Bennington's "demons" and the emotional distress that inspired his gripping lyrics and his potent vocal prowess.
"Talking with you about the years ahead together, your excitement was infectious," they continued. "Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled—a boisterous, funny, ambitious, creative, kind, generous voice in the room is missing. We're trying to remind ourselves that the demons who took you away from us were always part of the deal. After all, it was the way you sang about those demons that made everyone fall in love with you in the first place. You fearlessly put them on display, and in doing so, brought us together and taught us to be more human. You had the biggest heart, and managed to wear it on your sleeve."
Over the weekend,
Linkin Park canceled their upcoming "One More Light Tour" in support of their latest album, One More Light. However, it is still unclear whether the group will continue to release new music without Bennington and this letter does not answer that question.
"Our love for making and performing music is inextinguishable," they wrote. "While we don't know what path our future may take, we know that each of our lives was made better by you. Thank you for that gift. We love you, and miss you so much."
The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office confirmed Bennington's death by suicide on Monday. According to PEOPLE, Bennington hanged himself from a bedroom door at his Palos Verdes Estates home in Los Angeles, Calif. He was pronounced dead at 9:08 a.m.
In the wake of the tragedy,
Linkin Park has launched a suicide prevention website in honor of Bennington, which lists the Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) and additional information regarding the issue.
