Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington dies, aged 41

The singer of US rock band Linkin Park, Chester Bennington, has died after an apparent suicide. 

The Los Angeles county coroner confirmed that the singer's body was found at his private residence in Palos Verdes Estates, Los Angeles, at 9 am local time (1600 UTC).

Brian Elias, the chief of operations at the county coroner's office, said that Bennington's death was "being handled as a possible suicide" but refused to provide further details.

Bennington had reportedly struggled with drugs and alcohol for years. He was also open about his troubled childhood while growing up in Arizona, having suffered years of sexual abuse at the hands of a family member.

Mike Shinoda, Linkin Park's guitarist and co-vocalist alongside Bennington, tweeted he was: "Shocked and heartbroken."

Linkin Park was due to embark on a US tour next week. The band's future remains unclear.

Following the news of the singer's death, there was an outpouring of grief from the music world. Metallica's drummer Lars Ulrich praised Bennington on Twitter.

American pop rock group, OneRepublic, tweeted: "Massive R.I.P to Chester Bennington of @linkinpark this BREAKS OUR HEART," following it with another tweet urging suicidal people to seek help.

Rapper and songwriter Chance the Rapper desribed Bennington's death as "tragic."

In an Instagram post, pop diva Rihanna described Bennington as "the most impressive talent" she had seen live, and a "vocal beast." Rock band Imagine Dragons also sent out their condolences, followed by the DJ duo The Chainsmokers.Renowned Hollywood director Joss Whedon commented on the bands' fourth album, the 2010 "A Thousand Suns"

Bennington was close friends with Soundgarden lead singer Chris Cornell, who committed suicide in May. The Linkin Park singer performed Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" at Cornell's memorial service. The two also toured together, with Cornell appearing on stage with Bennington.  

Many fans pointed out that Bennington took his life on the day that would have been Cornell's 53rd birthday. The Linkin Park singer is survived by his wife and six children.

The Grammy Award-winning group was famous for hits including "In the End," "Numb" and "Faint," giving rise to the so-called Nu Metal genre, which blended together elements of hard rock and hip-hop.

The band's 2000 debut album "Hybrid Theory" was a huge success, selling some 10 million copies. Their 2003 follow up, "Meteora," sold another 4 million copies, going multiplatinum. They also released a collaboration album with rapper Jay-Z in 2004.

They released their most recent album in May, called "One More Light." It was the band's fifth No. 1 album in the Billboard 200. 

dj/bk (AP, AFP)