Glee star Cory Monteith’s father spoke out about his son’s drug use in an interview with Entertainment Tonight Canada on Thursday.
Joe Monteith, who was estranged from his son until recent years, explained how family members found out about Cory’s drug use.
“I guess he was involved a little more in drugs than anybody knew at the time,” he said. “His mother who was there with him all the time, she started picking up on it, you know stuff was missing, money here, stuff like that.”
The older Monteith split from Cory’s mother, Ann McGregor, when the star was just seven years old.
READ MORE: Cory Monteith’s East Coast family mourns actor’s death
Cory lived with his mother and younger brother in Victoria and didn’t see much of his dad, who was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
However, the father and son reunited after Cory landed the role of Finn Hudson on Glee and rose to fame.
The actor died July 13 at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver after mixing heroin and alcohol. He was 31.
Following his death, McGregor reportedly held a viewing at the hospital with Monteith’s girlfriend, his Glee co-star Lea Michele, and his older brother Shaun.
Joe Monteith told ET Canada he was devastated he couldn’t be there to see his son before he was cremated and recalled the shock of learning Cory had died.
“When they did break the news to my wife, she almost fell over, in fact I had to grab her. And I did ask them again what was that you said? It didn’t really sink in,” he said.
The full interview will air on ET Canada on Thursday and Friday.
Cory’s drug use was no secret, and the actor himself was public about his struggle with addiction, and had completely a stint in rehab in April.
This was not his first time seeking help and he regularly discussed his battles with addiction, saying in past interviews he took “anything and everything” and was “lucky to be alive.”
Candlelight vigils honouring Monteith’s life and legacy are being held in Victoria, Vancouver and Toronto.
With files from Nick Logan and John R. Kennedy
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