Chester Bennington’s tragic Chris Cornell connection

TWO months ago, Chester Bennington was singing at Chris Cornell’s funeral. Now he’s dead on what would have been his friend’s birthday. Cornell also took his own life.

Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell took his own life just two months ago. Picture: AFP

Linkin Parker singer Chester Bennington has died on what would have been Chris Cornell’s 53rd birthday.

The Soundgarden singer took his own life on May 18, and now Bennington’s death is being investigated as a possible suicide too.

The two performers were close friends and even toured together in 2007 and 2008. Bennington joined Cornell for a version of Temple of the Dog’s Hunger Strike, and Cornell performed alongside Linkin Park for their 2000 hit Crawling.

Bennington was also reportedly the godfather of one of Cornell’s three children.

Cornell’s widow Vicky tweeted out a message for the 41-year-old’s wife Talinda Ann Bentley.

Just when I thought my heart couldn't break any more.....I love you T

— Vicky Cornell (@vickycornell) July 20, 2017

On the day of Cornell’s passing, Bennington wrote a lengthy post via Instagram describing how the rocker impacted him:

Bennington performed Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah at the Soundgarden singer’s memorial in late May.

.@ChesterBe & Brad performed 'Hallelujah' at Chris Cornell's funeral. Heartbreaking performance 💔 #RIPChrisCornellhttps://t.co/vY8rUKSW4n pic.twitter.com/p3WnNWcBHp

— Linkin Park Live (@LPLive) May 26, 2017

TMZ reported Bennington struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and had previously talked about suicide as the result of childhood trauma and abuse.

Bennington sings at Chris Cornell’s funeral on May 26 in Los Angeles. Picture: AP

Cornell’s toxicology tests showed the presence of barbiturates, caffeine, and lorazepam, also known as Ativan, for relief of anxiety. The report also listed naloxone, an anti-opioid drug, and a decongestant. However, Dr. Theodore Brown, assistant Wayne County medical examiner, announced the drugs found in Cornell’s body did not contribute to his death.

Bennington leaves behind six children from two marriages.

This story originally appeared on Fox News and is republished here with permission.

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Originally published as Chester Bennington’s tragic Chris Cornell connection