- Actor died from a mixed drug toxicity, involving heroin and alcohol
- At this stage, there is ‘no evidence to suggest Mr Monteith’s death was anything other than a most-tragic accident,’ coroner says
- Lea Michele is ‘grieving alongside his family’ following autopsy results
- There was ‘evidence in the room consistent of a drug overdose,’ officials say
- Police question three of actor’s friends who were with him shortly before his death
- The actor led a ‘double life’ as a hard-worker in LA and substance abuser in his native Canada, according to claims
Cory Monteith died from a lethal combination of heroin and alcohol, it has been revealed. The Glee actor, who was found dead in his hotel room on Saturday at the age of 31, died from a ‘mixed drug toxicity, involving heroin and alcohol,’Â according to authorities. The British Columbia Coroners Service revealed the autopsy results on Tuesday, adding that the investigation into his death is continuing, and that no further details were available at this time.
It was noted that at this stage there is still no evidence to suggest that Mr. Monteith’s death was ‘anything other than a most-tragic accident’. Police Constable Brian Montague said, ‘There was evidence in the room that was consistent of a drug overdose,’ said Constable Brian Montague, adding that he wouldn’t ‘go into specifics’. The cause of death has come as a shock to some after it was initially reported that police did not believe drugs to have been involved, but Montague explained they need to err on the side of caution.
‘It was the opinion of the investigators that it was a drug overdose, but we didn’t want to speculate,’ he said. ‘The last thing we would want to do is speculate a drug overdose and then have that not be the case.’ It was also confirmed that Monteith’s family have been made aware of the circumstances surrounding the death.
Monteith’s girlfriend Lea Michele released a statement through her rep on Monday afternoon, claiming she is ‘grieving alongside’ Monteith’s family. ‘Lea is deeply grateful for all the love and support she’s received from family, friends, and fans. Since Cory’s passing, Lea has been grieving alongside his family and making appropriate arrangements with them,’ the 26-year-old Glee actress’ rep told People.
‘They are supporting each other as they endure this profound loss together. We continue to ask the media to respect the privacy of Lea and Cory’s family,’ the rep added. Police expedited Monteith’s autopsy and toxicology report Monday due to the widespread publicity of his sudden death.
A medical team from the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority performed the postmortem exam. Mr. Monteith was alone [in his hotel room] when he died,’ a Vancouver Police Department spokesperson said. ‘He took the heroin when he was alone by himself.’ Monteith was found dead in his hotel room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver on Saturday around noon.
It is still unclear what happened to Monteith in the hours leading up to his death. He and his manager dined on Thursday night with Maureen Webb, the co-founder of Project Limelight Society, who said the actor ‘looked so good, so healthy’. According to authorities, Monteith and three unidentified people left his hotel room on Friday night and that the actor returned alone at around 2:15 a.m. Hotel staff found his body shortly after noon when Monteith didn’t check out.
The three individuals were questioned and the Police Department representative said, ‘They were all cooperative,’ adding that no arrests were made. It follows claims the star led a ‘double life’ as a hard-worker when in Los Angeles, and a substance-abuser whenever he would return to his native Canada. Monteith, who checked into rehab in March, managed to stay clean while on the Glee set, but his resolve to stay sober weakened whenever he visited Vancouver, a source told TMZ.
According to sources, Monteith’s girlfriend and Glee costar Lea Michele, along with the rest of the hit television show’s cast, were aware of his addiction problems and worked hard to keep him clean and sober. Monteith allegedly never showed up for work under the influence of drugs or alcohol and abstained from these substances ‘most of the time.’ But his life in Canada painted a different picture.
Monteith allegedly returned to his hometown of Vancouver often, and surrounded himself with friends who fueled his addiction. Drugs and alcohol were reportedly ‘always involved.’ Monteith’s family is said to have been aware that he reverted back to his hard-partying ways in the North American city, but they were unable to help.
His family members reportedly became ‘alarmed’ recently at his behaviour and tried to come to his aid, but he grew ‘distant.’
Source: Dailymail