Autopsy of Glee star Cory Monteith set for today

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Medical examiners will carry out an autopsy on the body of Glee star Cory Monteith today, after the actor's shock death on Saturday.

Police said over the weekend they did not suspect foul play, though the cause of death was not immediately apparent.

The 31-year-old, known for his role as quarterback-turned-singer Finn in the musical comedy, was found dead in his room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel, in Vancouver shortly after midday on Saturday, when he missed his check out time.

He had checked into the hotel on July 6, and was due to check out on Saturday, Vancouver Police Department acting chief Doug LePard told reporters.

Others were in the hotel room with Monteith on Friday night, but evidence including his fob key entries indicate he returned to his room by himself early on Saturday and was alone when he died, police said.

Coroner Lisa Lapointe said: "We do not have a great deal of information as to cause of death."

Mr Monteith, who had played front man and heart throb Finn Hudson since the hit show began in 2009, had been treated for drug addiction and reportedly had a history of substance abuse.

In March he voluntarily entered a rehabilitation facility for an unspecified substance addiction. He had also received similar treatment when he was 19, and spoke openly about his addiction struggles, saying he had a serious problem and took “anything and everything”. In 2011, he told Parade magazine that he believed he was “lucky to be alive”

According to his biography on Fox's website, Mr Monteith was born in Calgary, Alberta, and moved to Vancouver Island as a child.

Before turning to acting, he held a variety of jobs including Wal-Mart greeter, school bus driver, roofer and cab driver.

Video: Tribute paid to Cory Monteith