Family speaks out two months after Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington dies by suicide

The late Chester Bennington was a rock star in the spotlight, but to Draven, he was just Dad. Draven told CBS Local 2’s Kelley Moody he misses his father’s hugs the most.

Draven’s parents met at a music festival. Chester was performing while his future wife Samantha watched from the crowd.

“He said to his bandmates, ‘See that girl right there? I’m going to marry her,'” said Samantha Bennington.

Three years later, Chester began down the road to fame, but trauma from his past would follow him.

“He 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.

After almost 10 years of marriage, they divorced, but their friendship stood strong. 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 20 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.

“The very fact that either of them are willing to go on camera and say this happened to us is breaking down barriers,” Angelica Guajardo, executive board member for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said.

The original video has been viewed more than 80,000 times and different versions have now been uploaded and translated for audiences worldwide.

“Don’t ever think suicide is an option. There is always a solution, and you have a friend in me and my son,” Samantha said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the 24-hour Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Warning signs of suicide:

Talking about wanting to die Looking for a way to kill oneself Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain Talking about being a burden to others Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs Acting anxious, agitated, or recklessly Sleeping too little or too much Withdrawing or feeling isolated Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge Displaying extreme mood swings.

The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide.

What to do if someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide:

Do not leave the person alone Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.