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Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Cory Monteith died from mixture of heroin and alcohol


"Glee” star Cory Monteith died as a result of “mixed drug toxicity” involving heroin and alcohol, the British Columbia Coroners Service reported Tuesday.

Monteith, 31, was found dead in his room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in downtown Vancouver, B.C. on July 13.

“At this point, there is no evidence to suggest Mr. Monteith’s death was anything other than a most tragic accident,” the Coroners Service said.

It said post-mortem testing, which included an autopsy and toxicological analysis, found that Montieth “died of a mixed drug toxicity involving heroin and alcohol.”

The investigation into his death is continuing and when completed, the service said it will issue a coroner’s report.

Police said Monteith had been out with people earlier on the night he died, but video and electronic records from the hotel indicated he returned to his room by himself.

 At a briefing Tuesday afternoon, police said they believe Monteith had been dead for several hours before he was found shortly after noon July 13. 

They said the report from the Coroners Service did not indicate the levels of heroin or alcohol in his system.

They also ruled out foul play.

 "Our belief is that when he took the heroin he was alone," said Vancouver Police Department spokesman Brian Montague. "There was evidence in the room that was consistent with a drug overdose. 

We're not providing exactly what we found at the scene."

Monteith had talked bluntly about struggling with addiction since he was a teenager, calling it a serious problem and telling Parade magazine in 2011 he was "lucky to be alive."

He admitted himself to a treatment facility in April for substance addiction, a representative said at the time. He also received treatment when he was 19.

"Glee," with its catchy song-and-dance numbers and high-profile guest stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Britney Spears, became an instant hit when it debuted in 2009. Monteith served as the show's resident hunk with a heart of gold.

Producers were reported scheduling meetings to discuss how to move forward with story lines and other issues without Monteith's character, Finn Hudson. Industry experts say the actor's death will have a profound impact on the FOX series and pose significant creative challenges.

Gia Milani, who recently produced and directed a Canadian film featuring Monteith, this week said Monteith "seemed healthy" when she last saw him four weeks ago in Los Angeles.

"He looked super fit and he was energetic and excited," Milani said.

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