Linkin Park at The O2 Arena

Talinda Bennington on husband Chester Bennington's death: "He was a bright, loving soul"

[Photo by: Ricky Swift/WENN.com]

A week after the tragic loss of Linkin Park's Chester Bennington, his wife Talinda Bennington has released a heartfelt statement over the loss of her husband and father to their children.

“One week ago, I lost my soulmate and my children lost their hero-their Daddy. We had a fairytale life and now it has turned into some sick Shakespearean tragedy,” she writes. “How do I move on? How do I pick up my shattered soul?”

Read her message in full below.

Read more: Linkin Park release statement about Chester Bennington: “Our hearts are broken”

In her statement, she explains that she has felt the love from the music community and can understand their pain through this loss. But she wants everyone to “turn to one another when we are in pain,” as Chester would want everyone to do.

Read her statement below:

One week ago, I lost my soulmate and my children lost their hero-their Daddy. We had a fairytale life and now it has turned into some sick Shakespearean tragedy. How do I move on? How do I pick up my shattered soul? The only answer I know is to raise our babies with every ounce of love I have left. I want to let my community and the fans worldwide know that we feel your love. We feel your loss as well. My babies are so young to have lost their daddy. And I know that all of you will help keep his memory alive. He was a bright, loving soul with an angel's voice. And now he is pain free singing his songs in all of our hearts. May God Bless us all and help us turn to one another when we are in pain. Chester would've wanted us to do so. Rest In Peace, my love.

Always,

Mrs.Talinda Bennington

It was announced last week that Bennington had died, with the Los Angeles County coroner confirming that it was suicide. Following the news, the band launched a special site dedicated to Chester, sharing memories and additional resources for those struggling with suicidal thoughts. 

Last week, the band confirmed that they had canceled their One More Light tour, with Blink-182 announcing that they would not be continuing with their shows as well. Read the band's message of love for Bennington and the impact he had on his family, friends and fans here.

Bennington has been in Linkin Park since 1999 and was part of the band’s massively successful Hybrid Theory, released in 2000. He has been a part of the band’s seven albums: 2003’s Meteora, 2007’s Minutes To Midnight, 2010’s A Thousand Suns, 2012’s Living Things, 2014’s The Hunting Party and their most recent released, 2017’s One More Light.

Our thoughts are with Bennington's family and friends at this time.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, there is help to be found.  Please consider these online resources and talk to your regular doctor about your symptoms:

MentalHealth.gov – Get Immediate Help
ImAlive – Online Crisis Network
International Association For Suicide Prevention – Resources
The Anxiety And Depression Association Of America
The National Alliance On Mental Illness
American Psychiatric Association – Finding Help
National Institute Of Mental Health
American Psychological Association – Psychologist locator