As previously reported, Mark Salling is dead at the age of 35.
The former Glee star, who rose to fame as the character of Noah Puckerman on this Fox comedy, appears to have committed suicide.
His body was found hanging from a tree in the woods near Salling’s home on Tuesday.
According to TMZ, authorities have not tracked down a suicide note, but those familiar with Salling’s situation can imagine why he chose to take his own life:
The actor pleaded guilty in October of 2016 to child pornography charges and was facing many years in prison.
His sentencing was set to take place in March.
It had also been reported that just prior to accepting a deal with prosecutors around that time, Salling tried to slit his wrists.
In response to this tragedy, Salling’s former Glee co-stars and some crew members who worked with him on that popular series have spoken out on what transpired.
Many of them referenced both Salling’s death and the horrible allegations to which he confessed in court.
For example, producer Tim Davis Tweeted the following:
“Today we lost another #Glee cast member.
“Yes, he committed crimes against children. Yes, it’s horrific. But #MarkSalling was a broken man, no doubt an abuse victim himself.
“I loved Mark, and am sad when I consider the devastation of his parents. PLEASE withhold your cruel comments.”
Jane Lynch then went ahead and retweeted Davis’ second statement, which reads as follows:
“Let me be clear. Having compassion for #MarkSalling in no way minimizes his crimes, nor does it minimize the pain and devastation of the victims of those crimes.
“I’m just saying stop adding to his family’s pain. This was their son. If you’re without sin, feel free to cast stones.”
Matthew Morrison, meanwhile, shared an Instagram photo of himself posing with Salling and Cory Monteith, the latter of whim died in July of 2013 from a drug overdose.
Jenna Ushkowitz commented on the post with a heart emoji.
Widely respected director Paris Barclay also took to Twitter to react to the very unfortunate news.
“It’s a painful loss, again,” he tweeted alongside a picture of Salling and Monteith, adding:
“Two young actors, lost too soon. #RIP #marksalling.”
Iqbal Theba, who portrayed Principal Figgins on the Emmy-winning musical, simply Tweeted: “Oh Mark.”
Cinematographer Joaquin Sedillo Tweeted: “Devistating… Suicide is never the answer.”
Salling starred on Glee from 2009 from 2015, playing a high school student referred to by the nickname “Puck.”
He was best friends with the character played by Monteith, a seemingly tough football player who initially expressed disdain for the glee club, only to eventually reveal a much softer side and an impressive singing voice.
Wrote actor Finneas O’Connell in response to the suicide, taking a somewhat different approach from those who were close to Salling:
“I met Mark Salling Once when we were filming the final episode of Glee together. I didn’t know him at all and I won’t pretend I did.
“It’s been a horrifying thing these past two years finding out about the crimes he’s committed. I don’t feel sorry for him. Only sorry for his fans.”
This is what Salling’s attorney said the public yesterday, shortly after news of Salling’s death went viral:
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.
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.
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