Glee's Cory Monteith found dead at hotel in Vancouver

Published July 14, 2013 1:38pm

(Updated 8:15 a.m., July 15) "Glee" star Cory Monteith was found dead on Saturday at a hotel in Vancouver, Canada, police said.

Monteith, 31, was found at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in the downtown section of the city, Vancouver Police Department acting chief Doug LePard told a news conference.

In a statement, LePard said though Monteith's cause of death has yet to be established, there were no signs of foul play.

He added that while an autopsy is set for Monday, police are continuing their investigation.

"Hotel video has been secured as well as room access records. Our investigators have spoken with hotel staff, who are providing the utmost in cooperation," he said.

LePard said the Hollywood actor, who checked into the hotel on July 6, was found dead in a room on the 21st floor by the staff at noon.

"When he missed his check-out time, staff went to the room at noon and found his body," he said.

"Police attended within minutes of the call and paramedics advised the man in the room was clearly deceased," he added.

"There were others with Mr. Monteith in his room earlier last night, but video and fob key entries show him returning to his room by himself in the early morning hours and we believe he was alone when he died," LePard said.

Vancouver police said Monteith left his hotel with three friends on Friday night, returning alone around 2:15 a.m., the Globe and Mail newspaper reported.

The actor had been dead for several hours when his body was discovered by police and paramedics answering an emergency call.

Asked whether Monteith had died of a drug overdose, LePard said he would "not discuss anything that we might have found in the room at this time."

Monteith's representatives issued a statement, saying, "We are in shock and mourning this tragic loss" but offering no details on the possible cause of death.

Monteith had talked openly about struggles with substance abuse, and in April he completed voluntary treatment for unspecified substance addiction at a rehab facility. He had also been treated in a facility at age 19.

On "Glee," Monteith played Finn Hudson, a high school football player turned enthusiastic singer in the glee club, or vocal group.

Monteith, who grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, told Parade magazine in 2011 that he had a serious drug problem during his teenage years for which he received treatment. His mother, Ann McGregor, still lives in nearby Victoria.

"I burned a lot of bridges. I was out of control," Monteith told Parade. Monteith said that by the age of 13 he was skipping school to get drunk and smoke pot.

"I had a serious problem [with drugs]. Anything and everything as much as possible."

Shock, sadness

"The death of a young person is a tragedy for their family, friends and community," British Columbia Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said at a news conference. "A sudden death is more shocking and our hearts go out to the family and friends who are mourning the loss of this young man."

Friends and colleagues expressed shock after having seen Monteith who they said seemed fine in recent weeks.

Adam Shankman, who directed "Glee" episodes, told CNN, "I had several interactions with him yesterday where he said that he was doing amazing. He even said I am feeling fantastic."

"I'm like everybody else, really devastated and confused by what happened," Shankman said.

Monteith began his career in a number of small roles leading up to a recurring part between 2006 and 2007 in the ABC Family science-fiction drama "Kyle XY" and another role around the same time on the MTV series "Kaya."

But "Glee," a show set in the small town of Lima, Ohio, was Monteith's breakthrough. A big part of the show was his character's on-again-off-again romance with glee club star Rachel Berry, an aspiring entertainer played by Lea Michele.

Monteith and Michele followed in the footsteps of their fictional counterparts by dating in real life. They appeared publicly together as recently as last month at a charity ball.

A representative for Michele said she had not issued a statement following Monteith's death.

Dot-Marie Jones, who plays "Glee"'s football coach, said on Twitter, "I have no words! My heart is broken."

In recent episodes of the series, Rachel had jetted off to attend college in New York while Finn stayed in Lima, where he worked at his father's auto repair shop and later got involved in helping lead his former school's glee club.

In a statement on their "Glee" Twitter page, the executive producers of the show and Fox said they were "deeply saddened by this tragic news."

"Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person," the Twitter message said. "He was a true joy to work with and we will all miss him tremendously. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."

Singer and former "Glee" actress Kristin Chenoweth said in a message on Twitter shortly after the police news conference, "You will be loved. Always."

Since starring in "Glee", Monteith had signed up for a number of movie projects including the July romantic comedy "Monte Carlo" with Disney star Selena Gomez and "Gossip Girl" actress Leighton Meester. — Reuters, with a report from Amanda Fernandez/BM, GMA News

Tags: glee, corymonteith