Late Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington’s ex-wife Samantha and son Draven opened up about his death in a new CBS Local 2 interview.
Chester gave his son Draven an antique family piano and a Linkin Park tour jacket in the months leading up to his death. The television report states that someone giving away items is a sign of suicidal thoughts. Draven said that these are the only possessions of his father that he has, and that he misses his hugs more than anything.
“[Chester] always went public and shared when he could and talk to children and talk to adults about molestation or drug abuse. When he was sober he did everything he could to help,” Samantha said.
Samantha says Chester shared everything with her and their son Draven, including when he went to a rehabilitation facility for about 6 months around a year ago.
“He said ‘I stayed longer because I wasn’t ready to come home. I was having really dark, dark suicidal thoughts,’ but he said it to us in a way like…he was good and he seemed strong and better,” Samantha said.
But Chester was still struggling. Samantha will never forget the phone call on the morning of July 20th from a family friend breaking the news.
“I realized that I had to sit my son down and tell my poor child that he’s just lost his father,” Samantha said.
“It was like static at first like you kind of just don’t know what’s happening and then it hits you like a punch in the gut.” Draven said.
Following Chester’s death, Samantha and Draven connected with Coachella Valley’s local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. For National Suicide Prevention Week, they agreed to make a series of videos with the foundation to spread their message.
“It opened up a new world to help people. I mean in the worst circumstance, but I can really make a difference that connects to me,” Draven said.
