Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington's difficult last days of addiction detailed in new memoir

Chester Bennington's memoir by Jason Lipshutz contains views from the late Linkin Park singer's wife Talinda, close friends, and bandmates
PUBLISHED SEP 27, 2024
Chester Bennington was found dead at his California home on July 20, 2017 (Getty Images)
Chester Bennington was found dead at his California home on July 20, 2017 (Getty Images)

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington's struggles leading up to his death in 2017 have been revealed in a new book, 'It Starts With One: The Legend and Legacy of Linkin Park', authored by Jason Lipshutz.

The rock star, who was found dead at his home in Palos Verdes Estates on July 20, 2017, battled addiction in his final months before his tragic suicide at age 41.

Ryan Shuck on Chester Bennington’s 'hour-by-hour' battle with addiction

Chester Bennington's battle with addiction, particularly his struggle with alcohol, is detailed through the accounts of his family and friends, shedding light on the difficult last days of his life.

 Musicians from Linkin Park; Dave Farrell, Joe Hahn, Brad Delsen, Rob Bourdon and Mike Shinoda perform during the
Musicians from Linkin Park: Dave Farrell, Joe Hahn, Brad Delsen, Rob Bourdon and Mike Shinoda performed at the 'Linkin Park And Friends Celebrate Life In Honor Of Chester Bennington' event at the Hollywood Bowl on October 27, 2017 in Hollywood, California (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

Chester's close friend Ryan Shuck, who had collaborated with the singer on the 'Dead by Sunrise' album, described his ongoing fight with addiction.

“He was describing an hour-by-hour battle with addiction,” said Shuck in the memoir, adding that they had been texting about Chester's alcoholism in the weeks leading up to his death, People reported after obtaining excrepts of the book. 

DEVORE, CA - JULY 28:  Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington performs at the 2007 Projekt Revolution
Chester Bennington's battle with addiction, particularly his struggle with alcohol, has been detailed in the new book 'It Starts With One: The Legend and Legacy of Linkin Park' by author Jason Lipshutz (Getty Images)

Chester had relapsed while making Linkin Park's 2017 album 'One More Light', which included a lengthy period of drinking in late 2016.

However, according to his wife Talinda Bennington, Chester had been sober for almost six months before his death.

Talinda Bennington discusses Chester Bennington's relapse and shame after that

The book also reveals that after Chester Bennington's death, an autopsy confirmed traces of alcohol in his system, and he was found with an empty beer bottle and a glass of Corona in the room.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 28:  Musician Chester Bennington (C), wife Talinda Bentley (L) and guests ar
Chester Bennington's wife Talinda said had been sober for almost six months before his death (Getty Images)

Talinda reflected on this relapse, saying, “I knew instantly that that drink triggered that shame, triggered a lifetime of unhealthy neural pathways.”

Chester spent his final days with Talinda and their three children at their family cabin in Sedona, Arizona.

The couple married in 2006 and shared three children: Tyler, 16, Lily, 11, and Lila, 10. Chester also had three older sons from previous relationships: Isaiah, 24, Jamie, 26, and Draven, 20.

Mike Shinoda on his last meeting with Chester Bennington

Linkin Park bandmate Mike Shinoda saw Chester Bennington for the last time just days before his death. They had spent time at a recording studio, with Chester introducing Mike to indie rapper and poet George Watsky.

After others left, Chester and Mike stayed behind, talking and brainstorming for upcoming shows.

Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington of Linkin Park perform at MAPFRE Stadium on May 17, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Squires/WireImage)
Linkin Park bandmate Mike Shinoda saw Chester Bennington for the last time just days before his death (Jason Squires/WireImage)

"It was nothing special or notable; it was just what they had always done," Shinoda recalled.

Linkin Park recently announced they had recruited a new lead singer, Emily Armstrong.

Emily Armstrong and Linkin Park perform during a global livestream at Warner Bros. Studios on September 05, 2024 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Timothy Norris/Getty Images for Warner Music)
Linkin Park recently announced they had recruited a new lead singer, Emily Armstrong (Timothy Norris/Getty Images)

The decision sparked backlash from some fans, including Chester's son Jaime Bennington and his mother, Susan Eubanks, who felt left out of the band's decisions, as noted by Daily Mail.

MORE STORIES

The post Khloe Kardashian liked featured Charlie Kirk speaking with a fan at an event about his devout Christian faith
Sep 13, 2025
Whitney Cummings sparked widespread outrage after posting a controversial tweet about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Sep 13, 2025
Prince Harry was spotted entering King Charles’s London residence, months after saying his father had ignored his calls
Sep 11, 2025
Rosie O'Donnell said Ellen DeGeneres’ friendship denial hurt so much she printed T-shirts for her staff reading, 'I don’t know Rosie, we’re not friends'
Sep 10, 2025
A post alleged that Karoline Leavitt called Patti LaBelle 'just a singer,' leading LaBelle to deliver a seven-word response that froze the studio
Sep 10, 2025
Jennifer Lopez feels free channeling emotions into music, but Ben Affleck is embarrassed and sees it as crossing a line, according to the source
Sep 9, 2025
Howard Stern added that he missed last week’s show due to illness, not contract talks, and addressed rumors of being fired from his own show
Sep 9, 2025
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement in August 2025 triggered a wave of pregnancy chatter after an ultrasound photo went viral
Sep 9, 2025
Ed Sheeran, 34, revealed that he was leaving Suffolk with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters, Lyra and Jupiter
Sep 9, 2025
From Ice Spice’s chaotic corset to Paris Hilton’s flame dress, see the celebs who landed on the worst-dressed list at the 2025 VMAs
Sep 8, 2025