TMZ is reporting that the star was found dead in a private residence in Palo Verdes Estates Los Angeles.

His body was discovered this morning just before 9am and it is believed that he hanged himself.

The singer is survived by his wife, Talinda Ann Bentley, and six children – Jamie, 21, Isaiah, 19, Draven, 15, Tyler Lee, 11, and Lily and Lila, 7.

He was previously married to Samantha Marie Olit from 1996 – 2005.

Chester, whose band Linkin Park spawned hit rock songs including Numb and Breaking the Habit, often focused his lyrics on personal struggle, depression and addiction.

One of the band’s last singles, Heavy, released four months ago, focused on the topic of depression.

It contained haunting lyrics including: “I don’t like my mind right now // Stacking up problems that are so unnecessary // Wish that I could slow things down”

In the chorus, he talks about how he is dragging around issues

He had also previously spoken about his battle with drug addiction, alcoholism and depression – admitting in December last year that he was even at one point on crack and crystal meth.

The star told Metal Hammer magazine: “I was on 11 hits of acid a day. I dropped so much acid I’m surprised I can still speak! I’d smoke a bunch of crack, do a bit of meth and just sit there and freak out. Then I’d smoke opium to come down.

“I weighed 110 pounds. My mom said I looked like I stepped out of Auschwitz. So I used pot to get off drugs.”

However, just days before his death, he was seen in the recording studio with his bandmates and Watsky, suggesting that he was currently in the process of collaborating with him.

Linkin Park hit the limelight with their debut album Hybrid Theory in 1999, and continued their success with the global hit Meteora in 2003.