LINKIN PARK Releases Statement About CHESTER BENNINGTON's Death: 'Our Hearts Are Broken'

The suriviving members of LINKIN PARK have released the following statement regarding the passing of their lead singer, Chester Bennington:

"Dear Chester,

"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.

"You touched so many lives, maybe even more than you realized. 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.

"Talking with you about the years ahead together, your excitement was infectious. 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.

"Our love for making and performing music is inextinguishable. 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.

"Until we see you again, LP."

Bennington was found dead in his home in Palos Verdes near Los Angeles by one of his employees shortly before 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 20.

A Los Angeles County coroner said on Friday that Bennington's "death is confirmed to be suicide by hanging." He added that "a bottle of alcohol was found in the room, but it wasn't close to the body and was not full."

Bennington had been candid about mental health battles in numerous interviews over the years. He was an open book when it came to the darkness he wrestled with, from talking about depression, anxiety and substance abuse, to revealing that he was molested when he was seven years old.