Korn guitarist Brian Welch slammed for calling Chester Bennington a ‘coward’
Korn guitarist Brian 'Head' Welch has come under fire on Facebook for criticising Chester Bennington in the wake of his death.
The Linkin Park frontman, 41, was found dead in a suspected suicide at a private residence in Los Angeles on Thursday, the Los Angeles County coroner has said.
Welch, who has previously battled depression, branded Bennington “cowardly” and claimed his death will send the wrong message to fans.
Alongside a picture of the late singer on Facebook he wrote: “Honestly, Chester's an old friend who we've hung with many times, and I have friends who are extremely close to him, but this is truly p****** me off! How can these guys send this message to their kids and fans?!
“I'm sick of this suicide s***! I've battled depression/mental illness, and I'm trying to be sympathetic, but it's hard when you're p*****! Enough is enough! Giving up on your kids, fans, and life is the cowardly way out!!!”
He finished: “Lord, take Chester in your arms and please re-unite him with his family and all of us one day. Be with his wife and kids with your grace during this difficult time.”
Many demanded Welch delete the post while others said they had lost all respect for him.
One user posted: “Wow. Expected more from someone who has battled depression. Not cowardly at all. At that particular moment they felt it was the ONLY way. Sad statement, hoping you amend it.”
Another commented: “I have lost whatever respect I had for you... Do you really think this is something he would have wanted if he thought there was another option?”
A third wrote: “I'm sure if one of your parents committed suicide and people rushed to calling them a coward a few hours later you wouldn't want to hear that ‘truth’.”
Tributes flooded in following the news of Bennington’s death with his Linkin Park bandmates telling fans they had been left “heartbroken”.
The band’s official Twitter account also paid tribute by posting a picture of Bennington on stage surrounded by hundreds of fans creating a sea of lights with their phones.
