Imagine Dragons, Jimmy Kimmel, Chance the Rapper & More React to Linkin Park Singer Chester Bennington's Death

Desiree Murphy
Updated

It's a sad day for music fans.

Immediately after news broke that Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington was found dead from apparent suicide by hanging at age 41 on Thursday, friends, fans and celebrities hopped on social media to pay tribute to the beloved entertainer.

Jimmy Kimmel was one of the first to send his condolences via Twitter.

"Chester was one of the kindest men I've had on my show," the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host wrote. "My heart breaks for his family and friends. He will be missed terribly."

"No words," a tweet from Imagine Dragons' official Twitter page read. "So heartbroken. RIP Chester Bennington."

One Republic shared a similar message, tweeting, "Oh dear God. Massive R.I.P to Chester Bennington of @linkinpark this BREAKS OUR HEART. Suicide is the devil on earth walking amongst us."

Chance the Rapper also weighed in, announcing he was sending prayers to Bennington's loved ones.

"RIP Chester. Tragic ending," he tweeted. "Condolences his family and friends and Linkin Park."

"Chester Bennington was an artist of extraordinary talent and charisma, and a human being with a huge heart and a caring soul," Warner Bros. Records CEO Cameron Strang said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his beautiful family, his band-mates and his many friends. All of us at WBR join with millions of grieving fans around the world in saying: we love you Chester and you will be forever missed."

The Recording Academy also issued a statement after the heartbreaking news, reflecting on the worldwide impact of Bennington's work as both a musician and philanthropist.

"Our GRAMMY family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of two-time GRAMMY winner Chester Bennington," the statement read. "As the cutting-edge lead vocalist of Linkin Park, Chester's powerful range, paired with his impressive songwriting skills, made him a bona fide hard rock hero. His riveting stage presence made every live performance magnetic, earning him millions of fans around the globe. Having put as much passion into charitable causes as he did his musical craft, we were honored to pay tribute to him at our 2013 MusiCares MAP Fund® benefit concert, where he lent his time and talents to help raise money to assist members of the music community with the addiction treatment process. We have lost a truly dynamic member of the music community and our sincerest condolences go out to Chester's family, friends, collaborators, and all who have been impacted by his work."

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