Chester Bennington's Official Cause Of Death Revealed As Linkin Park Releases Heartbreaking Letter

A coroner has officially determined the cause of death for Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington.

People reports that the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office confirmed that Bennington died as a result of suicide by hanging. The investigation into his death is now closed.

As Nicki Swift previously reported, Bennington, who struggled with drug addiction when he was young, was found dead in his Palos Verdes Estates home at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2017. Later reports revealed that a "partially empty bottle of alcohol" was found at the scene, but there was no evidence of drug use.

He was just 41 years old.

On Monday, July 24, Linkin Park released a long-awaited statement regarding Bennington's passing, posting an emotional and heartfelt letter addressed to their late bandmate on Facebook. "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," the band wrote. "You touched so many lives, maybe even more than you realized."

Voicing their appreciation at the support they've received from fans across the world, Linkin Park added that they "want the world to know that you were the best husband, son, and father."

The band continued, "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."

Linkin Park concluded, "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."

After news of Bennington's suicide broke, Linkin Park canceled their previously scheduled One More Light North American tour.