Chester Bennington may have mimicked the suicide of his close friend, Chris Cornell , because they died in virtually identical ways.

Law enforcement sources tell us, the Linkin Park singer was found hanging from a door separating his bedroom from his closet. TMZ broke the story, Chris Cornell died hanging from a hotel door separating the bedroom from the bathroom.

We're also told Chester was found with a belt around his neck. Chris was found with an exercise band around his neck.

Our sources say there was a partially empty bottle of alcohol in the room where Chester died, but no evidence of drugs.

And we're told Chester did not leave a suicide note in the room. Neither did Chris.

TMZ broke the story ... Chester killed himself on Thursday , which would have been Chris Cornell's 53rd birthday.