Lea Michele: 'Cory Will Forever Be in My Heart'

The Glee star makes first public statement since Monteith's death, sharing a personal photo and message

Photo: Courtesy Lea Michele

Two weeks after the death of boyfriend Cory Monteith, Lea Michele has broken her silence on the tragedy.

Although her reps released two statements on her behalf following the death of her 31-year-old Glee costar earlier this month, Michele, 26, had remained mum. On Monday, she remembered Monteith by sharing a personal snapshot and short message on her Instagram account.

“Thank you all for helping me through this time with your enormous love & support,” the actress captioned the oceanside photo. “Cory will forever be in my heart.”

The actress, who had been in Vancouver to grieve and make arrangements with Monteith’s family, was back in Los Angeles to host a Thursday memorial attended by friends and costars of the actor, held on the Paramount studio lot where Glee‘s auditorium scenes are filmed.

Monteith died in a Vancouver hotel room after ingesting a lethal mix of heroin and alcohol.

Fans of Monteith may make donations in his name to three charities that were especially important to him: Project Limelight Society, which exposes youth living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to the arts; Virgin Unite, founded to support entrepreneurial efforts to better the world; and Chrysalis, which helps homeless and low-income individuals find employment.

• PHOTOS: Cory & Lea: Their Love Story: PHOTOS: Cory & Lea: Their Love Story
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• EARLIER: Cory Monteith, 31, Found Dead in Hotel Room: EARLIER: Cory Monteith, 31, Found Dead in Hotel Room
• FLASHBACK: Watch His Glee Audition Tape: FLASHBACK: Watch His Glee Audition Tape

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