Linkin Park singer Bennington dead in apparent suicide: coroner

Chester Bennington poses in the press room at the 25th annual KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas in Inglewood, Calif. .on Dec. 13, 2014. [Photo: AP]

Chester Bennington, the lead singer of rock band Linkin Park, was found dead at his home in southern California in an apparent suicide.

He was 41.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's office says it had been notified by law enforcement of the death of Bennington. 

Law enforcement sources reveal that Bennington has hanged himself.

Band co-founder and producer Mike Shinoda said on Twitter he was "shocked and saddened."

Bennington had a history of alcohol and drug abuse. 

He had spoken openly in the past about his struggles to overcome his demons when Linkin Park first found success in 2000 with the album "Hybrid Theory." 

But in 2011 he said he had been sober for six years.

The band's latest studio album, "One More Light," was released in May, and Linkin Park embarked on a world tour.

Bennington's death came a week before the band was due to kick off the U.S. leg of its tour on July 27 in Mansfield, Massachusetts.