Mark Salling is dead. The former Glee star, who was facing prison time for child pornography, died of an apparent suicide. He is the second actor from the TV show to have taken his own life.
As we have reported, the actor was arrested in December 2015 after an ex-girlfriend told police he was in possession of pornographic material, including more than a thousand photos and videos, involving minor children. Some were said to be as young as 10 years old.
Best known as football player Noah “Puck” Puckerman on hit TV series Glee, Mark Salling was facing up to 40 years in prison, which would initially take place in March 2018. However, the actor was found dead on 29 Jan 2018 at the Los Angeles River located near his home.
“I can confirm that Mark Salling passed away early this morning. Mark was a gentle and loving person, a person of great creativity, who was doing his best to atone for some serious mistakes and errors of judgment,” stated his attorney Michael Proctor.
While authorities suspect he took his own life, a specific cause of death has not been released. Coroner Assistant Chief Ed Winter told the press that, “He was found hanging from a tree in the area of the Los Angeles River in Sunland.”
The actor was pronounced dead at the scene at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and his body is currently at the coroner’s office. “He is survived by his mother and father, and his brother. The Salling family appreciates the support they have been receiving and asks for their privacy to be respected.”
Through Glee, Mark Salling had a relationship with co-star Naya Rivera and he also released two albums of his own music. In 2013, he was accused of sexual battery by an ex who sued him. They ended up settling out of court.
At the time of his arrest, he was attached to a movie called Gods And Secrets. Director Adi Shankar initially said he would not cut Mark Salling from the film unless the allegations against him were “true.” He was ultimately removed from the project.
Although the cast and creators of the Fox hit have largely remained silent on social media — a small group, including actor Matthew Morrison (the teacher), have paid tribute to the death of Mark Salling:
https://twitter.com/loudmouthmuch/status/958409865537335296
https://twitter.com/loudmouthmuch/status/958414595932110848
Iqbal Theba, who portrayed Principal Figgins on the musical dramedy, shared just two words on Twitter: “Oh Mark.”
Oh Mark
— iqbal theba (@iqbaltheba) January 30, 2018
It’s a painful loss, again. Two young actors, lost too soon. RIP #marksalling pic.twitter.com/g6kx4MWToV
— Paris Barclay (@Harparbar) January 30, 2018
Devistating… 💔 Suicide is never the answer.
— Joaquin Sedillo (@JOAQUINSEDILLO) January 30, 2018
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