As the frontman of Linkin Park, Chester Bennington was an iconic figure in rock music. The band, formed in 1996, featured fellow members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn, Dave Farrell, and later Colin Brittain.
Together, they created timeless hits that continue to inspire fans worldwide. Sadly, Chester tragically passed away in July 2017 at the age of 41. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner, it was an apparent suicide, with his body found in a private residence in the area.
Years after his demise, the rock band recently introduced their newest member during a live performance—Emilly Armstrong, the talented lead vocalist from the band Dead Sara.
After the announcement, fans took to social media to share their excitement about Armstrong joining the band. Many praised her as the ideal fit for the group, expressing their enthusiasm for what she will bring to the music moving forward.
“Emily Armstrong is actually a pretty great choice as a new vocalist for Linkin Park. I was a bit skeptical on Linkin Park adding a female vocalist but she sounds splendid live. Sounds close enough to Chester but different enough that it is not a shameless rip-off,” said one.
Another echoed, “If you can sit down, watch this and not think Emily Armstrong is the perfect fit for the new direction Linkin Park are headed then I can only assume you are deaf. She is incredible!”
One person praised the singer-songwriter who co-founded Dead Sara, writing, “She absolutely crushed it here! New single sounds great too, she’s the perfect fit!”
Seven years have passed since Chester’s death, and while he was an incredible rock star, he was also deeply devoted to his family. He once gushed about his kids on X, writing, “I have the cutest kids ever.”
The Arizona native had four biological children, sons Draven, and Tyler and twin daughters, Lila and Lily Bennington. In a May 2023 interview, the rocker’s oldest child recalled fond memories of them together.
“One of our biggest things that we would do together and to go rock climbing. And it would be me and my little brother, Tyler, and that would usually be our thing,” he revealed.
The now-22-year-old shared that they would occasionally visit Hangar 18 for rock climbing, describing it as one of their favorite activities to do together. Draven, Chester’s only child with his first wife, Samantha Marie Olit, humorously mentioned that he and his five siblings all share their father’s “big ears.”
Reflecting on his relationship with twin sisters, brother Tyler, and older step-brothers Isaiah and Jaime, Draven expressed gratitude for the bond they’ve always had. “We’ve always had a great bond,” he said, noting that he’s particularly close to his younger siblings due to their similar ages.
Inspired by his father’s creativity, Draven dabbles in fashion and music. He admires how his dad personalized his style, saying, “He wanted to wear something that nobody else had and so he would make those customizations himself.”
On his Instagram account, Draven calls himself an artist, a musician, and an actor. In one of his posts, he has shown deep affection for his mother.
He paid a birthday tribute to her in December 2021 calling her the best parent in the world. Alongside a picture of the smiling duo, Draven added, “I love you so much, and thank you for sacrificing your milestone for my career!”
Meanwhile, Chester’s second oldest child, son Tyler turned 18 in March 2024. His mother, Talinda Bennington, marked his special day on Instagram via a montage filled with childhood photos.
She praised her son Tyler for his resilience and the positive impact he’s had on his community, especially regarding mental health, following the loss of his father. Talinda also expressed pride in Tyler’s role as a brother, highlighting the deep love he’s shown his twin siblings.
She also admired his artistic talent and celebrated his college acceptance achievements, saying, “Wherever you choose to go, they will be a better place for it.”
In June 2024, Talinda proudly announced that Tyler graduated from high school. Instagram followers have since compared the youngster with his late dad. One wrote, “His father’s twin.” Another added, “Just like Chester.”
Talinda has proudly shared glimpses of the couple’s youngest children, twins Lila and Lily, on social media. In May 2019, she shared a photo of them as babies and one from when they were seven years old.
The following year in October 2020, Talinda posted a side-by-side photo of the girls, expressing her joy and gratitude by saying she feels like “the luckiest woman” to be their mother.
Her followers gushed over them with one saying, “They are so cute.” Another observed, “Omg!!! They have grown so much. Beautiful girls.” One person mentioned the twins are a blend of both Talinda and Chester, penning, “WOW they are so pretty. They do look like a Minnie Talinda and a Minnie Chester that’s really sweet too. Love you all and I support all of you.”
Lila and Lily are now. 12 years old. In June 2023, their mother shared a throwback collage of them together, capturing their first and last days of elementary school. She reflected on their journey, celebrating their accomplishments “from learning to read and write to receiving the Presidential Outstanding Academic Award.”
Talinda, who was married to Chester from 2005 until his death, expressed her love for her daughters and her excitement for their next chapter, saying she couldn’t wait to watch them “conquer middle school.”
Chester’s legacy continues to live on through both his music and the family he cherished deeply. His children, each forging their own paths, carry forward his creativity, resilience, and love. From Draven’s artistic endeavors to Talinda’s heartfelt tributes to their youngest children, the Bennington family remains a source of inspiration and strength.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
