Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington's commited suicide two months after he wrote a letter to Soundgarden's Chris Cornell

Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington wrote an open letter to Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell, two months before he committed suicide in a similar way.

Bennington was found dead in Los Angeles on Thursday morning, having taken his own life at the age of 41.

The American singer was a close friend of Chris Cornell, who himself committed suicide by hanging in May.

Bennington wrote an open letter to Cornell on the day of the Soundgarden frontman's suicide, and later performed Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah at the funeral service.

Thursday would have been Cornell's 53rd birthday.

Cornell's wife, Vicky, tweeted out a message following the news of Bennington's death, saying: "Just when I thought my heart couldn't break any more ... I love you T."

Bennington was twice married, with six children.

The singer struggled with drugs and alcohol for years. He had said in the past he had considered committing suicide because he had been abused as a child by an older male.

The band, formed in 1996, has had a string of hits over the years, including Faint, In the End and Numb.

On Saturday he was photographed beaming with the band in the studio, retweeting a comment: "Can't wait to see where this goes." 

On August 4 they were due to give a free concert in New York's Central Park.