If you read between the lines of one of Linkin Park’s biggest hits, the singer clearly said “Tried to give you warning, but everyone ignores me (told you everything loud and clear), but nobody's listening.”
Now that we look back, everything sounds like a conversation that no one gave ear to.
The troubled singer has spoken multiple times about the demons residing in his head and how he’s been dealing with them. In fact, he spoke about his demons candidly in a radio interview, reportedly months before his suicide.
“This place right here, this skull between my ears, that is a bad neighbourhood. I should not be in there alone. I can't be in there by myself. It's insane. it's crazy in here is a bad place for me to be by myself and so when I'm in that—my whole life gets thrown off,” shared Chester.
He added, “When I'm in there, I don't say nice things for myself. There's another Chester in there that wants to take me down. Whether it's substances or it's behaviour or depressive stuff, whatever. But if I'm actively getting out of myself and being with other people, being a dad, a husband, a bandmate or being a friend to someone else, that is to say, if I'm if I'm out of myself, I'm great. But, If I'm inside all the time, I'm horrible. I'm a mess.”
Today, his long time band mates penned an open letter to the singer. It reads:
Dear Chester,
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.
You touched so many lives, maybe even more than you realised. In the past few days, we’ve seen an outpouring of love and support, both public and private, from around the world. Talinda and the family appreciate it, and want the world to know that you were the best husband, son, and father; the family will never be whole without you.
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.
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.
Until we see you again,
LP
*****
P.S: In case you or someone you know needs support, or just need someone to listen to you, please check these resources:
Ahmedabad | Saath – 079 2630 5544, 079 2630 0222
Secunderabad | Roshni – 040 790 4646
Kolkata | Lifeline Foundation – +91 33 24637401, +91 33 24637432
New Delhi | Sumaitri – 011-23389090
Kochi | Maithri – 91- 484 – 2540530
Pune | Connecting India – 9922001122, 18002094353
Nagpur | Suicide Prevention Helpline – 8888817666
The Samaritans | Mumbai – 022 6464 3267, 022 6565 3267, 022 6565 3247
Chennai | Sneha – 91-44-2464 0050, 91-44-2464 0060
Pondicherry | Maitreyi – +91-413-339999