Chester Bennington, the lead singer of rock band Linkin Park, has been found dead at his southern California home, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office says.

Coroner’s office spokesman Brian Elias said his office had been notified by law enforcement of the death of Bennington, 41, on Thursday morning. Elias said the death was being handled as an apparent suicide.

Representatives of the band did not immediately return calls for comment.

Bennington had a history of alcohol and drug abuse. He had spoken openly in the past about his struggles to overcome his demons when Linkin Park first found success in 2000 with the album Hybrid Theory.

In the US the group sold 10 million copies of Hybrid Theory, and then another 4 million with 2003’s multi-platinum Meteora.

But in 2011 he said he had been sober for six years.

The band’s latest studio album, One More Light, was released in May, and Linkin Park embarked on a world tour.

Bennington’s death came a week before the band was due to kick off the US leg of its tour.

It also arrived on what would have been his friend and fellow musician Chris Cornell’s 53 birthday.

Cornell died in May.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.