Cory Monteith Overdose: Heroin Wasn't Laced With Other Drugs, Says Coroner

PacificCoastNews.com

Even a pretty solid answer didn't stop the search for more answers yesterday when it came to Cory Monteith.

After the BC Coroners Service announced that the Glee star had died of mixed drug toxicity involving heroin and alcohol, speculation began as to whether yet another substance—namely, the opiate fentanyl—contributed to the Glee star's sudden death at 31.

"Toxicology results did not indicate any presence of the drug fentanyl," the coroner's office said in a statement Wednesday.

PHOTOS: Cory Monteith's life in pictures

Fentanyl is an opioid narcotic with similar behavior as morphine and, according to a report circulating among Canadian media outlets, experts are considering a possible link between it and an uptick in heroin overdoses in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

"Our frontline officers have spoke with many individuals who have reported being concerned about the potency of heroin that is currently being bought, sold and used," Constable Ian MacDonald told CBC News this morning. "A possible explanation for the increased potency and the overdose may be the presence of fentanyl in the drugs."

Per the report, the B.C. Provincial Health Officer issued a warning in May that there had been a spike in heroin overdoses linked to fentany, with 23 reported cases in the first four months of this year.

PHOTOS: Celebs who've been to rehab

But as the BCCS reiterated, Monteith's tox screen turned up only alcohol and heroin. Coroner's spokeswoman Barb McClintock also said yesterday that the investigation into his death is ongoing, while Vancouver Police spokesman Brian Montague called it "a tragic accident."

Hotel staffers found the actor dead in his room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in downtown Vancouver on Saturday after he had missed his 12 p.m. checkout time.

Twitter

Monteith's remains have reportedly since been cremated at his mother's request. Reps for Lea Michele said Tuesday that she "has been grieving alongside his family and making appropriate arrangements with them. They are supporting each other as they endure this profound loss together."

PHOTOS: Celebrity deaths in 2013

Kevin Parry for Paley Center for Media

Following a stay in rehab, Monteith had opened up about his battles with substance abuse in the months leading up to his death. Multiple sources have told E! News that he seemed very committed to remaining sober, but the extent of his troubles are really only coming to light in sad hindsight.

One friend revealed that Monteith had been using both heroin and crystal meth.

"Cory fought his demons and the demons won," said another pal. "Cory wasn't going out and doing these things to have fun. He couldn't stop. He tried. He just couldn't."

PHOTOS: Fan tributes to Cory Monteith from around the world

View the original article here

Marc Anthony Responds to Backlash That He Wasn't American Enough to Sing "God Bless America" at MLB All-Star Game

Elsa/Getty Images

Not very sporting of people to complain about Marc Anthony performing at the MBL All-Star Game this week, is it?

"You can't get more New York than me," the Big Apple-born pop star said today on Live! With Kelly and Michael in response to some nasty tweets and other complaints about the artist being chosen to sing "God Bless America" during Tuesday's game.

Because apparently complaining about performers with Latin roots singing during so-called all-American sporting events is a thing now.

PHOTOS: Celebrity baseball all-stars

"Shouldnt an AMERICAN be singing God Bless America?" complained one person, while another wrote, "Why is a Mexican, Marc Anthony, singing god bless america? Doesn't he know this is AMERICA's song? #ASG."

For the record, Anthony was born and raised in NYC's East Harlem by Puerto Rican-born parents.

"Something happened, I wanted to clarify," the salsa singer, whose album 3.0 drops next week, told Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan. "You know, me singing the national anthem, there was some statements made that people were upset that they would have somebody from another country sing the national anthem. But to set the record straight, I was born and raised in New York. You can't get more New York than me."

PHOTOS: New York party pics

Incidentally, the national anthem (aka "The Star-Spangled Banner") was sung this year by American Idol winner Candice Glover. Anthony corrected himself a moment later.

"Is that true?" asked a wide-eyed Ripa, who joked that she and "live in a hole" but surely "three months from now we'll hear about it."

"Absolutely, it's a trending topic," Anthony assured her. 

"I just want to set the record straight," he added. "And I'm more Puerto Rican than ever and I'm more New York than ever."

PHOTOS: Celebrity fitness stars

And singing either the national anthem (which Anthony has done before as well) or "God Bless America" is beyond nerve-racking, regardless.

"There's something so daunting," Anthony explained. "I was standing between home plate and the mound and you look out and no one can help you if anything goes wrong...I'm looking for the nearest exit...But it's the most gratifying as well. It's so risky, but it's just so gratifying."

"Why does anybody say yes?!" marveled Ripa.

"You say yes because of the honor, you can't deny that," Anthony said. "But then the day of, you're like, 'Why did I say yes to this?!' But you have to be some sort of ninja. There has to be some kind of recognition for someone who goes through this and survives it. It's scary."

Double the recognition for Anthony in this case, then.

PHOTOS: Stars singing the national anthem

View the original article here