'Glee' star Cory Monteith died of heroin, alcohol: coroner

Cory Monteith stands for a portrait at the Hazelton Hotel while promoting his film 'Sisters and Brothers' during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Sept. 11, 2011. (Aaron Vincent Elkaim / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

‘Glee’ star Cory Monteith died of a toxic mix of heroin and alcohol in what Vancouver Police described as “a tragic overdose.”

The cause of death was released in a statement from the BC Coroners Service Tuesday afternoon.

The 31-year-old was found dead in a downtown Vancouver hotel room at about noon Saturday.

Staff at the Fairmount Pacific Rim hotel discovered the body when Monteith failed to check out on time.

Police earlier ruled that his death was not deemed suspicious and it appeared he had died alone.

“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,” said the coroners’ office statement. The statement noted that Monteith’s family has been made aware of the circumstances surrounding his death.

A full coroners’ report will be released once the full investigation into Monteith’s death has concluded.

A Vancouver Police spokesperson said that when investigators entered Monteith’s room on Saturday, there “was evidence in the room that was consistent with an overdose.”

Const. Brian Montague declined to give specific during a press conference in Vancouver Tuesday afternoon.

“This is unfortunately another example of a tragic overdose,” he said.

Montague said police interviewed three individuals, two women and a man, who were with Monteith the night he died. Montague said Monteith returned alone to his hotel room at about 2 a.m. Saturday.

“We’ve spoken with all three of them and they’ve been very co-operative,” Montague said.

"There were no signs of a struggle or a robbery,” he added.

Montague said the police investigation has been concluded, and unless new information comes to light, the case will not be re-opened.

Police are not investigating how or where Monteith obtained the heroin.

Monteith had spoken publicly about his struggles with substance abuse in the past.

In April, Monteith admitted himself to a treatment facility for "substance addiction" and asked for privacy as he took steps toward recovery, a representative said at the time.

He also received treatment when he was 19 and said at the time he took "anything and everything."

He spoke candidly to Parade magazine in 2011, saying that he was "lucky to be alive."

Monteith was born in Calgary and raised in Victoria, where his mother still lives.

Before turning to acting, he held a variety of jobs including Wal-Mart greeter, school bus driver, roofer and cab driver, according to his biography on Fox’s website, the U.S. network that carries ‘Glee.’

Monteith appeared in a number of smaller roles before shooting to fame with his role on ‘Glee,’ where he played quarterback Fin Hudson.

“Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person,” Glee executive producers posted on the show’s Facebook page Sunday. “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.”

At the time of his death, Monteith was in a relationship with Lea Michele, who also played his on-screen girlfriend, Rachel Berry.

On Sunday, Michele asked for privacy after receiving news of Monteith’s death, according to her representative.

Monteith was a supporter of the Project Limelight Society, a charity that offers theatre programs to at-risk youth. Monteith’s parents are asking members of the public to make donations to Project Limelight, among other charities.

A makeshift memorial outside the hotel where Monteith’s body was found has been visited by fans, friends and family. Candlelight vigils for Monteith are planned for this Friday in Vancouver outside the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel and in Toronto at Maple Leaf Square.