Lea Michele and her Glee co-stars and the show's creator, Ryan Murphy, held an emotional memorial service for Cory Monteith on Thursday, following the actor's death aged 31 on 13 July. "Today, Ryan Murphy and Lea Michele gathered the cast, crew and producers of Glee, along with colleagues from the network and studio, to share memories and music in an emotional celebration of the life of Cory Monteith," read a statement from a producer at 20th Century Fox Television. "We thank the public for their continued outpouring of love and support as we grieve our friend and colleague during this difficult time.""It was beautiful," said Jane Lynch, who plays cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester in Glee. "Still really sad, but it was beautiful."
© Photo: Getty ImagesOutside Paramount Studios, where Glee has been filmed since 2009, a small memorial has been set up for Cory whose death was caused by "a mixed-drug toxicity involving heroin and alcohol" according to the coroner's report.Flowers, cards and candles have been left as a tribute to Cory and a similar shrine also sits outside the Vancouver hotel where the actor tragically died two weeks ago.It was recently revealed that Lea, who had been dating Cory for two years, was with friends when she found out the news that her boyfriend had died. The actress was enjoying a night with her girlfriends in LA when she heard that Cory had been found dead at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver. "Lea started screaming, she was distraught," a source told People magazine. "No one knew what to say. It was horrible. She couldn't believe it."
© Photo: Getty ImagesLea, 26, was said to have been discussing marriage with the Calgary-born actor and the couple were reportedly planning on moving in together. "Lea is deeply grateful for all the love and support she's received from family, friends and fans," said her representative on 15 July. "Since Cory's passing, Lea has been grieving alongside his family and making appropriate arrangements with them. "They are supporting each other as they endure this profound loss together."
