This article deals with mental health problems, including suicide.
Eight days after Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington was found dead in his southern California home after an apparent suicide, his wife Talinda has released a statement to fans.
Bennington, who has six children, had struggled with depression and substance abuse throughout his life. He also appeared to be deeply impacted by the loss of Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell, who died in May and was good friends with Bennington. The Linkin Park frontman died on what would have been Cornell's 53rd birthday.
"One week ago, I lost my soulmate and my children lost their hero - their Daddy," the statement reads. "We had a fairytale life and now it has turned into some sick Shakespearean tragedy. How do I move on? How do I pick up my shattered soul?
"My babies are so young to have lost their daddy. And I know that all of you will help keep his memory alive. He was a bright, loving soul with an angel's voice. And now he is pain-free, singing his songs in all of our hearts."
On Monday, the band issued its own statement, and later in the day rapper Mike Shinoda posted the earliest known photograph of the band members together on Instagram.
The nu-metal pioneers have re-entered the charts on both sides of the Atlantic following Bennington's death.
In the US, Linkin Park have three albums in Billboard's top 50 while in the UK their 2000 debut Hybrid Theory and most recent effort One More Light landed in the top five.
In New Zealand, One More Light is at number three and Hybrid Theory at number five.
Similar figures are expected when Australia's ARIA charts for the week are released on Saturday.
- If you wish to talk to someone about mental illness or domestic violence, you can call Lifeline on 0800 543 354, the Depression Helpline on 0800 111 757 or the National Telehealth Service on 1737.
Reuters / Newshub.
