Glee star Cory Monteith found dead in Vancouver hotel

Canadian actor Cory Monteith has been found dead in a Vancouver hotel room, police have confirmed.

His publicist has confirmed the tragic news via a media statement, saying, “We are so saddened to confirm that the reports on the death of Cory Monteith are accurate. We are in shock and mourning this tragic loss.”

Cory checked into the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver on July 6 and was due to leave on July 12 when his body was found.

The 31-year-old actor, who was born in Calgary but raised in Victoria, BC, had been battling substance abuse in recent months.

Cory Monteith checked into rehab in April >>

Vancouver Police’s Acting Chief Doug LePard said the actor’s family was notified around an hour before a press conference was held about his death, during which LePard confirmed that hotel staff discovered his body when he failed to check out.

“Mr. Monteith checked into the hotel in July 6th 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,” LePard said.

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

Celebrities have begun expressing their condolences via Twitter, with Kim Kardashian tweeting, “Just heard about the death of Cory Monteith. So sad. Prayers 4 his family. Praying 4 Lea too! Words cant describe what they must be feeling.”

Glee co-star Dot-Marie Jones, who plays Coach Bieste, wrote:

I HAVE NO WORDS! MY HEART IS BROKEN CORY WAS NOT ONLY A HELL OF A FRIEND HE WAS ONE AMAZING MEN THAT I WILL HOLD CLOSE TO MY HEART FOREVER

— Dot-Marie Jones (@dotmariejones) July 14, 2013