On Thursday, July 20, Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington was found dead at the age of 41, from an apparent suicide. The rocker’s sudden death came as a shock to the music world, but another death that shocked many was that of Bennington’s close friend, fellow musician, Chris Cornell.
Bennington and the Soundgarden singer were practically family, so it’s no surprise that his tragic death in May would prove difficult for the “Numb” singer to overcome. This is something that became even more evident in a heartbreaking letter Bennington recently penned to his late friend.”I dreamt about the Beatles last night. I woke up with Rocky Raccoon playing in my head and a concerned look my wife’s face. She told me my friend had just passed away. Thoughts of you flooded my mind and I wept,” Bennington wrote in a Twitter post at the time. “I’m still weeping, with sadness, as well as gratitude for having shared some very special moments with you and your beautiful family. You have inspired me in many ways you could never have known. Your talent was pure and unrivaled. Your voice was joy and pain, anger and forgiveness, love and heartache all wrapped up into one. I suppose that’s what we all are. You helped me understand that.”
“I dreamt about the Beatles last night. I woke up with Rocky Raccoon playing in my head and a concerned look my wife’s face. She told me my friend had just passed away. Thoughts of you flooded my mind and I wept,” Bennington wrote in a Twitter post at the time. “I’m still weeping, with sadness, as well as gratitude for having shared some very special moments with you and your beautiful family. You have inspired me in many ways you could never have known. Your talent was pure and unrivaled. Your voice was joy and pain, anger and forgiveness, love and heartache all wrapped up into one. I suppose that’s what we all are. You helped me understand that.”
“I just watched a video of you singing ‘A Day in the Life’ by the Beatles and thought of my dream,” he continued. “I’d like to think you were saying goodbye in your own way. I can’t imagine a world without you in it. I pray you find peace in the next life. I send my love to your wife and children, friends and family. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your life. With all my love. Your friend, Chester.”
Coincidentally, Bennington’s death fell on what would have been Cornell’s 53rd birthday. While some have denied a connection, TMZ recently pointed to hauntingly similar circumstances surrounding their deaths. The Linkin Park singer was found hanging from a door separating his bedroom from his closet. Cornell reportedly died hanging from a hotel door separating the bedroom from the bathroom, the entertainment news site reports.
Further investigation showed that Bennington was found with a belt around his neck (Cornell used an exercise band). Still, there are many unanswered questions, as Bennington did not leave a suicide note.
RIP Chester Bennington. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.
