Vancouver police have announced their investigation into Cory Monteith’s death is closed, and officers will not pursue how the ‘Glee’ star obtained the heroin that contributed to his fatal overdose last weekend.
At a Tuesday press conference, Const. Brian Montague confirmed Monteith was alone in his hotel room when he died, and there’s no evidence to warrant charges against the three people he was out with the night before.
“We spoke with all three of them and they were all very cooperative,” Montague said. “Unless new information comes to light, we won’t be proceeding further.”
There were no signs of struggle or robbery in the 31-year-old TV star’s room. Montague said officers did find evidence to suggest an overdose, but would not go into specifics.
Earlier in the day, Coroner Barb McClintock revealed an autopsy and toxicology tests had concluded Monteith perished from a lethal mix of heroin and alcohol.
The levels of each were not released, though McClintock said heroin was the primary cause. Further details are being withheld until the coroner is prepared to deliver a final report.
Monteith was out with another man and two women on Friday night before returning to his room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel alone at around 2:15 a.m.
Police believe they have a clear picture of which bars or establishments the group visited that night, but will not be releasing any of the names.
Montague did not say where the deceased got his drugs, but reiterated that the person or persons would not be investigated.
“All I can say to that is there’s no law in Canada where we can request charges against someone who’s provided drugs to an individual. There’s an inherent risk when you’re using illegal drugs,” he said.
A candlelight vigil to honour the actor is slated for 8 p.m. Friday outside the hotel where his body was found.
An impromptu memorial of flowers bouquets, cards, pictures and handwritten notes outside the high-end hotel has spilled onto the sidewalk as fans from across Canada and beyond pay their respects to Monteith.
Fans in Toronto are also organizing a vigil at Maple Leaf Square, and mourners gathered late last night in Los Angeles at Paramount Studios.
The Calgary-born, Victoria-raised actor, best known for his role as Finn Hudson on ‘Glee,’ had been very open in the past about his substance abuse problems. He dropped out of high school as a teenager on Vancouver Island and binged on drugs and alcohol on the street.
The actor said the experience spurred his involvement with youth-focused charities including Project Limelight, a free theatre program for children living in Vancouver’s troubled Downtown Eastside.
His substance abuse issues resurfaced after he skyrocketed to stardom on ‘Glee,’ however, and he voluntarily checked into rehab in April.
Monteith’s family, as well as his co-star and girlfriend Lea Michele, have asked for privacy in light of his tragic death.
“Lea is deeply grateful for all the love and support she’s received from family, friends, and fans. Since Cory’s passing, Lea has been grieving alongside his family and making appropriate arrangements with them,” Michele’s representative said in a statement.
“They are supporting each other as they endure this profound loss together.”
