Cory Monteith died of heroin and alcohol overdose, BC Coroners Service announces

The BC Coroners Service has revealed that actor Cory Monteith died of “a mixed drug toxicity, involving heroin and alcohol.” The Glee lead star was just 31 years old when he was found dead on Saturday.

The BC Coroners Service stated the following in a news release this afternoon:

Post-mortem testing, which included an autopsy and toxicological analysis, found that Mr. Monteith, aged 31, died of a mixed-drug toxicity involving heroin and alcohol.

Mr. Monteith was found deceased in his room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, shortly after noon on July 13. He had checked into the hotel on July 6 and had been expected to check out on the 13th. When he had not done so, hotel staff checked his room and found him deceased.

The investigation into this death by the BC Coroners Service is continuing, and no other details are available at this time. It should be noted that at this point there is no evidence to suggest Mr. Monteith’s death was anything other than a most-tragic accident.

The investigation continues and a full coroners report will be issued once the investigation is concluded. The Coroners Service has asked the media to respect the privacy of the Monteith family and expresses their sincere condolences to Mr. Monteith’s loved ones.

It was originally anticipated that the results would take several days, but the results were expedited by the BC Coroners Service due to the overwhelming public interest over his death. He battled with addiction when he was 19 and entered rehab for a month in March 2013. His passing adds to the list of entertainment stars who have died of substance abuse, including the 2008 death of Heath Ledger.

Monteith was born in Calgary, Alberta and after just two years moved to Victoria, B.C. where he was also raised. He kicked off his acting career in Vancouver when he was in his late-teens before landing on the role of Finn in 2009 in Fox’s hit musical-comedy television show, Glee. When not filming the show in Los Angeles, he was often in Vancouver to be with family and friends and was also spotted at Vancouver Canucks games over several occasions. He was also a local philanthropist, supporting the homeless and local youth arts initiatives such as helping with launching Project Limelight.

Since Sunday, a make-shift memorial of flowers, letters, bears, and photos has appeared outside the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel where Monteith passed away. The memorial continues to rapidly grow everyday, with large crowds during lunch and after work hours.

• SEE MORE:
  • Glee starts Cory Monteith and Lea Michele make Canucks appearance
  • Cory Monteith found dead at Vancouver hotel
  • Celebrities, Glee cast, friends and fans take to Twitter on Cory Monteith’s death
  • Cory Monteith remembered with flowers and cards outside Fairmont Pacific Rim
  • Virgin’s Richard Branson writes of Cory Monteith’s charity work

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Featured photo: last fm