Cory Monteith Drug Overdose Preventable? 'Glee' Cast Members Urged Actor to Enter Rehab
After the revelation that Cory Monteith died of a drug overdose, members of Fox's "Glee" stated that they had urged him to seek help with his drug addiction. This encouragement is what led the star to enter rehab earlier this year.
"He was always so grateful and aware of how fortunate he was," a source from "Glee" told Radar Online. "The decision was to best help our friend. The needs of the show fell second to his well-being."
Monteith took the message to heart and checked in to a substance abuse facility on March 30. But it appears that wasn't enough.
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News of his death shocked the entertainment industry with friends of the late star expressing their deepest sympathies online.
Harry Shum, Jr., who plays Mike Chang, wrote, "At this time, please send nothing but love and light. This tragic news still doesn't feel real to me."
Former cast member Damian McGinty also reflected on his time working with Cory.
"The guy I shot my first acting scene with. The nicest guy I've met. Can't believe it," McGinty posted to Twitter.
A representative for Monteith's co-star and girlfriend Lea Michele released a statement asking for privacy as she comes to terms with her loss.
"We ask that everyone kindly respect Lea's privacy during this devastating time," the statement read.
Cory had been in his luxury hotel room with friends on Friday evening before heading out for the night. Lea, 26, is believed to have been at home in Los Angeles for work.
"She is absolutely hysterical and completely inconsolable," a source told HollywoodLife.com. "She is devastated beyond belief."
While the "Glee" actors had been co-stars since 2009 when the show premiered, they didn't begin dating until 2012.
