The band Linkin Park wrote an emotional statement Monday in memory of Chester Bennington, their lead singer who died last week after an apparent suicide.
Written as a letter to the singer, the band expressed their grief and sorrow following his death while also honoring Bennington’s impact on them and their fans.
“Our hearts are broken,” the band wrote in the letter, which was shared on their Facebook page. “The shockwaves of grief and denial are still sweeping through our family as we come to grips with what has happened.”
“Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled—a boisterous, funny, ambitious, creative, kind, generous voice in the room is missing.”
The band also made note of the “demons who took you away from us” while recognizing Bennington’s ability to openly share his experiences in their music.
“You fearlessly put them on display, and in doing so, brought us together and taught us to be more human,” the band wrote. “You had the biggest heart, and managed to wear it on your sleeve.”
After Bennington’s death, the band canceled their upcoming tour for their latest album One More Light, which was released earlier this year. In their statement, Linkin Park said it is unclear what the future is for the band.
Linkin Park also posted information for suicide prevention resources online.
Read the band’s full note 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
Visit Chester.LinkinPark.com
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Caitlin Clark Is TIME's 2024 Athlete of the Year
- Where Trump 2.0 Will Differ From 1.0
- Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You?
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope
- The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Contact us at letters@time.com