Jul 17, 2013 10:53 AM EDT
Cory Monteith Died From a Mix of Heroin and Alcohol Months After Completing Rehab

Actor Cory Monteith died from an overdose.

An autopsy revealed that the 31-year-old "Glee" star died from a mixture of drug toxins, which include heroin and alcohol, the BC Coroners Service announced Tuesday. 

Monteith was found dead Saturday afternoon in his Fairmont Pacific hotel room, in downtown Vancouver, after missing his noon checkout time. 

"This was an overdose and a tragic accident," said Brain Montague, spokesman for the Vancouver Police department, at a press conference.

Sources tell E! news that "numerous amounts of alcohol and some as yet unidentified substance were found in his hotel room."

Monteith spent a month in rehab this spring. He talked openly about using drugs as a teenager and his ongoing addiction to alcohol. 

"I'm lucky on so many counts. I'm lucky to be alive," he told Parade. "I had a serious problem."

"He was super committed to getting sober," a friend told E! news on Sunday. "He would say this was his last chance."

According to Barb McClintock, Coroners Services spokeswoman, Monteith's death is an ongoing investigation and stated that no information will be released until all test have been concluded. No further information will be released out of consideration for the victim's family and friends.The actor's autopsy was fast-tracked after receiving massive public interest. 

"The BC Coroners Service expresses it sincere condolences to Mr. Monteith's family and friends," McClintock said. 

Monteith's final role was one that paralleled his real-life battle with substance abuse. In "McCanick," the actor played a drug addict in the drama. According to director Josh C. Walter, playing the edgy character was "cathartic" for the young actor.

"You could sense it," he explained to the Los Angeles Times

"In my mind, I was envisioning a teeny little drug guy, but Cory Monteith is this tall strapping man," the filmmaker said. "But when I met him, he wanted to do it so badly... he was very vocal about his past, and said he wanted to tap into things from this youth that he hadn't been able to use as an actor yet." 

On his flight from Japan to Vancouver the actor recorded a video message to his fans. 

"I wanted to record this video for you guys just to let you know to stay out of trouble and stay in school."  

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