Widow says Chester Bennington was ‘full of life’ in weeks before death

PHOENIX — More than six months after the death of her husband, Talinda Bennington, wife of Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington, spoke publicly about his passing.

Chester took his life in July. His wife talked about the circumstances leading up to his death with the Canadian Event Safety, an organization dedicated to eliminating unsafe behaviors and conditions in the live event industry.

Talinda mentioned how the singer’s death came as a complete surprise to her. She said that Chester was “full of life” when they went on a family vacation to their cabin in Sedona the month of his death.

“He was happy,” she said. “He gave me a kiss goodbye, he gave the kids a kiss goodbye, and I never saw him again.”

Talinda talked about Chester’s struggle with depression and the importance of mental health. She spoke on how addiction may have played a role in his death. Bennington had alcohol in his system when he died.

“He had been sober for almost six months, which was amazing for him,” she said. “So when he passed, and I learned that there were two empty beer bottles in the room, I knew he had relapsed…I knew instantly that that drink triggered that shame, triggered a lifetime of unhealthy neural pathways.”

Talinda has been cultivating an online community with the hashtag “#MakeChesterProud” as a support outlet for those who have struggled or been impacted by depression or mental illness.

Mike Shinoda, fellow Linkin Park member, released a solo project in January titled, “Post Traumatic”. The EP focuses on the loss of his band mate.