HALESTORM Singer Pays Tribute To CHESTER BENNINGTON

HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale has paid tribute to Chester Bennington, saying that she is "sorry" that the LINKIN PARK singer "felt like [he] had to leave this way."

Bennington died of an apparent suicide Thursday morning, the Los Angeles County coroner confirmed. He was 41.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Fire Department said they received a call about 9 a.m. regarding a cardiac arrest in Palos Verdes Estates. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Bennington was home alone at the time of the suicide. His family was out of town and a housekeeper discovered his body in his bedroom.

Firefighters arrived and cleared the scene by 9:29 a.m. Officers responding did not find a note.

Hale addressed Bennington's death in an Instagram post. She wrote: "RIP Chester. We lost another voice of a generation today.

"I'd like to remind everyone that follows me that you are never alone. Life is fucking hard and every single one of us has beasts inside of us that we battle daily. And as humans... do your part. Stop with the cyberbullying, and hating people for stupid reasons. How about instead leave uplifting messages of hope and love and rock 'n' roll?

"Just one word of kindness can change someone's life... I've seen it in my line of work... You are powerful enough to help someone or hurt someone... so choose to spread positivity.

"Chester, you will be missed, and I'm sorry that you felt like you had to leave this way. But all of the people that you've healed through your music, we thank you for your time here and your music will live on through us!"

Bennington had arrived home from Arizona on Wednesday and had plans on Thursday. It was reported that one of Bennington's bandmates showed up just after the police arrived. He was there to drive Chester to a photo shoot and was "absolutely shocked" of the news.

The singer struggled with drugs and alcohol for years. He had said in the past he had considered committing suicide because he had been abused as a child by an older male.

After Chris Cornell committed suicide in May, Bennington sang at his funeral and also wrote a heartfelt message paying tribute to the SOUNDGARDEN frontman. In part, he wrote "I can't imagine a world without you in it." Bennington was Godfather to one of Cornell's children.

Bennington's body was found on what would have been Cornell's 53rd birthday.