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'Glee' star found dead in hotel room

Canadian actor Cory Monteith was found dead in a Vancouver hotel room on Saturday. He was 31.

Canadian actor Cory Monteith was found dead in a Vancouver hotel room on Saturday.

He was 31.

Monteith checked into the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel on July 6 and was expected to check out Saturday but, when he did not, staff went to check on him and found him dead in his room shortly after noon.

Police say he was pronounced dead at the scene with no apparent cause of death and that he had been dead for several hours before his body was discovered.

In addition to his Glee success, Monteith made guest appearances on a number of television productions beginning with an episode of Stargate Atlantis in 2004 and including other television series such as Smallville and Supernatural.

He is also starring in soon-to-be-released independent film, All the Wrong Reasons

Monteith began his acting career, finished high school and cleaned up after a family intervention for substance abuse sent him to rehab at the age of 19.

In March of this year he decided to return to rehab for substance abuse issues, successfully completed his treatment and was seen apparently healthy and well with his longtime girlfriend and Glee costar Lea Michele in April.

The full text of the statement released by Vancouver police follows.

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Hollywood star found dead in Vancouver

July 13, 2013

Acting Chief Doug LePard

Remarks 

Shortly after noon today, the Vancouver Police received a call from the BC Ambulance Service regarding a sudden death in a room on the 21st floor of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel at 1038 Canada Place in downtown Vancouver.

Police attended within minutes of the call and paramedics advised the man in the room was clearly deceased. Coroner’s staff did attend the scene.

The deceased has been identified as 31-year-old actor Cory Monteith, who achieved great fame on the popular TV series Glee.

Before I give further information, on behalf of the Vancouver Police, I want to pass on our condolences to the family, friends, castmates and millions of fans of Mr. Monteith. 

As was the case in countless homes, I watched Glee regularly with my daughters, and I know there will be shock and sadness in many households with the news of his tragic death.

Mr. Monteith checked into the hotel in July 6 and was due to check out of the room today. 

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.

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

We know there will be considerable interest in this case, and we have detectives assigned to the case who attended with our Forensic Identification Unit to examine the scene, to ensure to the extent possible that there are no unanswered questions.

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.

The Coroner will be determining the next steps with respect to establishing cause of death, but all indications are that there was no foul play.

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Carol Martin

About the Author: Carol Martin

Carol has over 20-years experience in journalism, was raised in Sault Ste. Marie, and has also lived and worked in Constance Lake First Nation, Sudbury, and Kingston before returning to her hometown to join the SooToday team in 2004.
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