Linkin Park US tour canceled after suicide of Chester Bennington

By
Reuters

LOS ANGELES: Rock band Linkin Park on Friday cancelled its North American tour after the suicide of frontman Chester Bennington on Thursday.

"We are incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of Chester Bennington. The Linkin Park One More Light North American Tour has been cancelled and refunds are available at point of purchase. Our thoughts go out to all those affected,” tour promoter Live Nation said in a statement.

Bennington, 41, died by hanging himself at his southern California home – in Palos Verdes, near Los Angeles – but left no note, the Los Angeles County coroner's office said on Friday.

His death came a week before the alt-rock band was due to embark on its tour, starting on July 27 in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

"He was found hanging in his bedroom. No note was found," coroner's spokesman Ed Winter said. Winter added that there was an open bottle of alcohol in the bedroom but no drugs had been found.

Bennington had a history of alcohol and drug abuse and had spoken openly in the past about his struggles to overcome his demons when Linkin Park first found fame in 2000 with their best-selling debut album Hybrid Theory.

Winter said an autopsy was pending and that toxicology tests were also likely to be carried out.

COVER IMAGE: Chester Bennington of Linkin Park performs "Burn It Down" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California, US, November 18, 2012. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok/File Photo