Messages are seen at a memorial site outside Chester Bennington's private residence in Palos Verdes, California, the United States, on July 21, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong)
by Peter Mertz
DENVER, the United States, July 22 ( Xinhua) -- With each passing hour, another American celebrity posts words of dismay and sadness on social media, in reaction to Chester Bennington's suicide Thursday.
"Rest in peace ... my heart goes out to all the family left behind," blockbuster superstar Katy Perry said in a tweet.
"If you're suffering as well, don't be ashamed to talk to someone about it," Perry said, a reference to Bennington's lifelong struggle with depression that finally claimed him.
"Chester was one of the kindest men I've had on my show," said ABC talk show host Jimmy Kimmel on Twitter. "My heart breaks for his family and friends. He will be missed terribly."
Bennington's loss was mourned from Rihanna to the heir to the British throne, Prince William, who had announced that he was a Linkin Park fan.
Bennington, the lead vocalist of rap-metal band Linkin Park, died at the age of 41, and leaves behind six children from two marriages.
His body was discovered at his home in Southern California on what would have been the 53rd birthday of Chris Cornell, another rock icon and a close friend of Bennington.
Cornell killed himself about two months ago, a loss that devastated Bennington, friends said. Bennington sang Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" at Cornell's funeral.
"It is a sad day today to know that so many of us will no longer share in your laughter, friendship and love," said a statement entitled "Chester" from Bennington's former band mates at the Stone Temple Pilots.
"You showed us time and time again what it is to be an incredible human being. A beacon of light and hope is what you will always be to us. We love you Chester. We will miss you."
Rap-rock band Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst shared a picture of Bennington on Instagram with the words "Gonna miss you."
Like Perry, the rock band Placebo warned on Facebook of the "life-threatening nature of the twin demons of addiction and depression."
Flowers, messages and candles are placed at a memorial site outside Chester Bennington's private residence in Palos Verdes, California, the United States, on July 21, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong)
Known as the frontman of Linkin Park, Bennington's loud, painful music is heard by hundreds of millions of people across the planet.
His band sold 27 million albums in the United States last year and his hit song "In the End" has been heard 339 million times on YouTube.
Bennington joined the Southern California band in the late 1990s. Their release "Hybrid Theory" in 2000 became a massive hit, followed by its enduring success later on.
Aside from the glory, Bennington had a difficult life, starting with his miserable childhood. His parents divorced when he was 11, he was separated from his mother, and he also became a victim of violent sexual abuse by an older boy.
The sexual abuse began when Bennington was 7 and continued until he was 13, when he had summoned up enough courage to tell his father about it. Bennington declined to pursue charges when he found out that his abuser was also a victim.
Bennington talked about his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, as well as depression in an interview earlier this year with Music Choice, a U.S. company that programs music and produces music-related content.
"My whole life, I've just felt a little off," he admitted.
"I find myself getting into these patterns of behavior or thought -- especially when I'm stuck up here [in my head]; I like to say that, this is like a bad neighborhood, and I should not go walking alone," Bennington said.
Linkin Park band members filmed a Carpool Karaoke episode for James Corden's late night talk show just days before Bennington passed away. "This was supposed to be happy and exciting, now everyone will be watching with tears in their eyes," fan Demi Bellini posted on Facebook.
Reactions to the artist's death flowed across social media the entire day and are expected to continue.
