Linkin Park pays emotional tribute to Chester Bennington on first death anniversary

It's been a year since Bennington committed suicide

It's already been a year since Linkin Park front man Chester Bennington committed suicide. To honour the late singer, his band mates and family have come together and shared a personal note for him.



"To our brother Chester," the note reads. "It has been a year since your passing — a surreal rotation of grief, heartbreak, refusal, and recognition. And yet it sill feels like you are close by, surrounding us with your memory and your light. Your one-of-a-kind spirit has authored an indelible imprint on our hearts, our jokes, our joy, and our tenderness."

PHOTO: THE SCOTTISH SUN

"Eternally grateful for the love, life, and creative passion you shared with us and the world. We miss you more than words can express," it further adds.

Chester's wife Talinda feared this day. "It's the re-traumatisation" she told Fox News. "That day is so seared in my mind."



The band's bassist Dave Farrell also wrote an open letter to his late friend. Taking to Twitter, said, "Chester, In the past year, there hasn’t been a day that has gone by that I haven’t thought of you. I miss you, and it still hurts to not have you here."

PHOTO: INDEPENDENT

"I chose not to speak at your memorial because I couldn’t formulate the words to adequately express how I felt. I chose not to speak at the Celebration of Life Concert honouring you because I knew I’d struggle to even be able to speak at all. And today, a year after your passing, I still struggle to try and eloquently express what you mean to your family, your friends, your fans... and to me," continued Dave.



"There is so much that I feel, and that I could say, and that I would want to say, and that I don’t know how to say... but one thing I know for certain, is that you are loved, and you are missed," the letter read.

PHOTO: BUSINESS INSIDER

Last year, the then 41-year-old’s body was found at his home in a suburb of Los Angeles. A bottle of alcohol was also found in the room, though it was not near his body, the police said.



Chester had struggled with depression and substance abuse throughout his life. He also appeared to be deeply impacted by the loss of Soundgarden/Audioslave singer Chris Cornell, who died in May and was good friends with the Linkin Park vocalist.

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