The British Columbia Coroners Service confirmed the cause of the actor’s death following an autopsy and toxicological analysis, after Cory’s post-mortem was fast-tracked due to ‘intense public interest’.
In a statement the service added: ‘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.’
The 31-year-old was found dead in his hotel room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver, Canada on Saturday after he failed to check out at noon.
Cory’s cousin Richard Monteith urged people to focus on ‘all the good things that he’s done’ (Picture: Reuters)
Cory, who played Finn Hudson in the hit Fox series, had been open about his struggles with addiction in the past and in 2011 said he was ‘lucky to be alive’.
He first started using drugs at the age of 13, entering a rehab facility aged 19.
Last April he re-entered rehab for substance addiction, with girlfriend and co-star Lea Michele issuing a statement saying: ‘I love and support Cory and will stand by him through this. I am grateful and proud he made this decision.’
Cory Monteith starred as Finn Hudson in Glee (Picture: AP/Fox)
His cousin Richard Monteith was the first family member to speak out following Cory’s death, with his statement seeming to suggest he believed drugs were potentially involved.
He told Canada’s Global BC TV: ‘Please don’t judge on what is going to be coming out.
‘Glass half full. All the good things that he’s done. There’s more things on that side to focus on.’
Glee cast members have paid tribute to their co-star over the past few days, with Matthew Morrison dedicating a song to his ‘brother’ during a performance on Sunday.
Naya Rivera said she was ‘deeply saddened’ and called Cory ‘a special part of this world’, while Lauren Potter said she was ‘totally heartbroken’ by the news.
Cory’s rise to fame began with small roles in Smallville, Supernatural and Stargate Atlantis among others, before finding worldwide success in 2009 on musical show Glee.
His final role saw Cory move into darker territory with forthcoming film McCanick, playing a drug-addicted criminal sent to prison for seven years for murder.
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