TORONTO — Cory Monteith‘s mother has opened up for the first time about the actor’s death.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Ann McGregor called Monteith’s death from a drug overdose last July “horrendous” and admitted she has only recently accepted that he is gone.
The Glee star’s body was found in his room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver. A coroner ruled he died of a toxic mix of heroin and alcohol. He was 31.
Monteith’s mother said she can’t talk about the night she got the news that her son was dead.
“The last few days, I’m beginning to accept it,” McGregor told GMA. “Until three days ago I couldn’t look at a picture of Cory.”
His death didn’t come as a complete surprise, though. McGregor recalled his early battles with drugs.
“After Cory’s first OD, the drive we took, all I did was stare into his eyes and hug him and look at him,” she said, “because I had this feeling I really want to know him because I’m not going to have him my entire life.”
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McGregor said she spoke to Monteith two days before he died and he was planning to sign a lease on a home in Vancouver.
McGregor said she hasn’t been able to watch Glee since Monteith’s death.
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She said his girlfriend, Glee co-star Lea Michele, keeps in touch via text messages and email.
“She’s hurting, too. I know her pain.”
McGregor’s advice for other parents of drug abusers?
“I don’t think we have the power to change the choices they’re making,” she said.
“Live every moment. Grab the second.”
BELOW: Watch the full interview on Good Morning America.
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