Lee Thompson Young Suffered From Depression Leading Up to Tragic Death, Says Source

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To most of us, the news of Lee Thompson Young's tragic death on Tuesday, Aug. 19, came as a complete shock.

But sources close to the late actor exclusively tell E! News he had suffered from depression for some time leading up to his apparent suicide.

The Rizzoli & Isles star, who was 29 at the time of his death, "didn't drink or party," says a source, adding,  "He was the opposite. Lee loved to travel and was always the first to tell everyone to take a breath and enjoy the beauty of life." He was always "gentle and unassuming," despite his early success, and didn't have the typical "look-at-me" attitude.

That said, those close to Young noticed things "really changed" a few years ago when he began practicing Yorùbá, an Africa-based religion which has a saying, "iku ya j'esin", meaning  "death is preferable to ignominy." Some have questioned whether this means that suicide is an acceptable way to preserve personal or family honor in the face of public shame.

NEWS: Lee Thompson Young's 6 most memorable roles

TNT

However, Yorùbá culture icon and Chief Priest of Osogbo, Araba Ifayemi Osundagbonu Elebuibon, told the National Mirror earlier this year that the religion "[does] not support suicide. Their belief is that if somebody commits suicide, they will be punished in the hereafter."

The Famous Jett Jackson star "took [his religion] to the next level and started wearing white all of the time," says a source, adding, "This religion was everything to him."  Although he reportedly took a break from practicing Yorùbá, he recently returned to the religion. Just before his death, he visited a small village in Africa for something reportedly related to the religion.

NEWS: Remembering Lee Thompson Young

As for Young's family? A source notes that he was close with his mother and sister, but relatives were worried his close friends no longer lived in L.A., leaving him surrounded mostly by "industry types."

Police discovered the erstwhile Disney star's body Monday when, after he didn't show up to set to film Rizzoli & Isles, his concerned coworkers sent the authorities to his home to investigate. In the wake of Young's death, production on the TNT show has been temporarily suspended.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

PHOTOS: More stars we've lost in 2013

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Vancouver Police Issue Heroin Warning Four Days After Cory Monteith's Death

Police officials in Vancouver, Canada have issued a red alert warning to drug users in the city about the potency of heroin on the local market following a spike in overdoses, including that of tragic actor Cory Monteith.

The Glee star died in his hotel room in Vancouver on Saturday (13Jul13) and autopsy and toxicology test results have confirmed the cause of death was an accidental overdose.

Now, a day after Monteith's remains were reportedly cremated, city lawmakers have raised the alarm on a dangerously potent toxic grade of the drug.

A police statement reads: "The Abbotsford police department has observed a concerning increase in the numbers of heroin overdoses in the community."

Officers claim they had detected the presence of fentanyl, which is used to treat cancer-related pain, in recent supplies of heroin, which causes increased potency.

The statement continues, "Our front line officers have spoken with many individuals who have reported being concerned about the potency of heroin that is currently being bought, sold and used."

It is not clear whether or nor police think the batch of heroin Monteith took was laced with fentanyl.

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Glee Delays Season 5 Premiere in Wake of Cory Monteith's Death

by Leanne Aguilera Fri., Jul. 19, 2013 3:32 PM PDT

FOX

In light of the devastating passing of beloved Glee star Cory Monteith, officials at Fox have decided to postpone the premiere of the show's fifth season.

Originally set to debut on Thursday, Sept. 18, Glee's fifth season premiere was pushed to Thursday, Sept. 26, Fox announced in a press release on Friday. 

As a result, production on the newest season of Glee will not begin until early August. There are no further details as to how Glee intends to handle the news of Monteith's passing in the new season. 

READ: Dianna Agron remembers her "generous and kind" co-star

Although we don't know much about Glee's upcoming storylines, we do know that the Fox hit is adding two new characters to the mix this season. Fans can expect to meet a "cute and quirky" twentysomething girl named Jenny, as well as a new African American student at McKinley High.

Earlier this week, Monteith's autopsy report revealed that the 31-year-old actor died of an overdose from a mixture of heroin and alcohol. The Glee star was found dead Saturday in his hotel room Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in downtown Vancouver after missing his scheduled checkout time.

NEWS: Two New Roles Being Cast in Wake of Cory Monteith's Death

Many members of the Glee family have already released touching tributes about Monteith and the positive influence he had on everyone in his life. Former co-star Dianna Agron described Monteith as "generous and kind" with a "smart, curious mind," while Harry Shum Jr. rememebered his friend as "kindhearted. Incredibly funny. Extremely passionate."

Monteith's death was devastating for everyone on Glee, with a source who works on the show telling E! News, "To say that Cory was much-loved on the Glee set doesn't even begin to do him justice."

If you or someone you know needs help with addiction issues, contact Narcotics Anonymous (http://www.na.org).

PHOTOS: In honor of Cory Monteith, click through our gallery of Finn Hudson's best lines on Glee

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Glee Season 5: 2 New Roles Being Cast in Wake of Cory Monteith's Death

by Tierney Bricker and Kristin Dos Santos Tue., Jul. 16, 2013 6:04 PM PDT

FOX

Glee is moving forward with casting new characters for season five, after losing one of their most beloved stars, Cory Monteith, who died of an overdose on Saturday. The Fox hit series is adding at least two new actors when it returns for its fifth season, sources confirm to E! News.

Though the network and Glee executives will be meeting within the next few days to figure out how to handle Monteith's absence on the series, this is the first we're hearing of any part of production moving forward in the aftermath of the actor's tragic death.

The casting calls for these roles went out last week, before Monteith's death, and now sources confim that the process has not been halted.

READ: Our favorite Finn and Rachel duets on Glee!

The two new roles producers are currently casting include a "cute and quirky" twentysomething named Jenny, who will be a major recurring guest star and will first appear in episode two, while the other is a new African-American student at McKinley High School. Both roles will require singing.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Mark Salling, Heather Morris, Amber Riley, Harry Shum Jr. and Dianna Agron will not be returning as regulars, but they could potentially return for guest appearances.

Bumped up to series regulars are Jacob Artist, Melissa Benoist, Becca Tobin and Blake Jenner, who all first appeared in season four as new members of New Directions.

VIDEO: Cory Monteith's Top Five Musical Performances on Glee

Glee was scheduled to go into production on the new season at the end of July and was expected to premiere on Sept. 19. Fox has yet to make an announcement regarding any changes to the show's return date.

"Everyone is in shock," source who works on the show told E! News. "To say that Cory was much loved on the Glee set doesn't even begin to do him justice."

If you or someone you know needs help with addiction issues, contact Narcotics Anonymous (http://www.na.org).

PHOTOS: In honor of Cory Monteith, click through our gallery of Finn Hudson's best lines on Glee

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