On July 21st, Stryper frontman Michael Sweet posted a message online following the suicide of Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington, whose body was found on Thursday, July 20th at his home in a south suburb of Los Angeles:

"I've been reading a lot of comments about Chester and suicide today. It's an extremely sensitive subject and obviously a very big problem in our society and world today. Many people struggle with depression and loneliness and sadly sometimes it leads to loss of life.

What I'm pretty disturbed about are the people that are either joking about suicide and or who are angry and due to their anger, making ridiculously insensitive comments. That pisses me off!

We often feel the need (or feel we have the right) to chime in on things that we know nothing about. Obviously this is something that we need to work harder at (helping and reaching people) but the last thing we need to do is joke about it and call people cowards because they committed suicide. There lies the problem people - ignorant thoughts and comments from people who aren't walking in the shoes of those who we have lost because of suicide.

Families and friends of these souls are grieving and torn apart. The last thing they need to see or read is some moron spouting off about the loved one that they just lost. What the hell is wrong with this world? Calling someone a coward who just took their life? Wow!

It's cowardly to joke about it and it's cowardly to go on a rant about why you think they were cowardly for doing it. Unbelievable......

Let's pray for Chester and his family, friends and fans and let's try to be a little more compassionate and understanding of the depth of this horrible epidemic. Maybe (with a little more attention to the needs of others), well be able to save someone in the future.

God Bless you, Chester, and I hope you found some sort of peace. Prayers & thoughts to you and you're family and God speed friend......"

In Him always,
M

Linkin Park have released an open letter written to Bennington, found below.

“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 realized. 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.”

Ed Winter, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, told Variety that an employee found Bennington hanging in the bedroom of his Palos Verdes Estates home. Police had previously confirmed that officials responded to a call of a dead body at his private residence in the 2800 block of Via Victoria shortly after 9 AM on Thursday. Bennington was 41.

A bottle of alcohol was also found in the room, though it was not near his body, Winter said. Investigators did not find a note in the room.