Lea Michele Silent On 'Devastating' News Of Cory Monteith Death, Celebrities Tweet Their Shock, Will Glee Star Get Through This Tragedy? (VIDEO OF CORY AND LEA)
In what must be one of the toughest times of her young life, Lea Michele, 26, is asking for some space while she deals with the death of boyfriend Cory Monteith, 31.
The 'Glee' star and Michele's off-screen love interest since early 2012 was found dead in his Vancouver hotel room Saturday afternoon with the cause still unknown.
"We ask that everyone kindly respect Lea's privacy during this devastating time," Michele's rep told ABC News.
Lea had been supportive and stood by Cory, as he decided to enter rehab for a month-long treatment this past March.
Lea met Cory in the middle of 2009, when they began co-starring in the first season of 'Glee.' There was a strong connection from the moment they met, with rumors of a relationship as early as 2010.
But it wasn't until Michele broke it off with Broadway actor Theo Stockman at the end of 2011, that the two were able to make it official in 2012. Things got pretty serious almost immediately.
For the cover of Marie Claire's January 2013 issue, Michele said, "I don't even remember a time when [Cory] wasn't my boyfriend... He makes me feel like I can do anything."
Monteith, 31, was found dead Saturday in a Vancouver hotel room.
Michele, who had been dating Monteith for about a year, has not yet given a statement about his death.
While the "Glee" actors had been co-stars since 2009 when the show premiered, they didn't begin dating until 2012.
Monteith played heart throb Finn Hudson -- on-again, off-again love interest to Michele's Rachel Berry -- on the hit Fox series.
Most recently, Michele, 26, voiced support for Monteith as he announced in April that he was seeking treatment for substance abuse."I love and support Cory and will stand by him through this," she told People magazine. "I am grateful and proud that he made this decision."
Celebrities around the world tweeted about Monteith's death:
Ricky Martin ✔ @ricky_martin
I just heard the news.This is so sad. My heart goes out to his family & friends, specially Lea Michelle.Rest in peace Cory #RipCoryMonteith9:29 AM - 14 Jul 2013
josh groban ✔ @joshgroban
While I only met him briefly on set, I remember him to be an extremely sweet guy. Tragic. RIP Cory.9:53 AM - 14 Jul 2013
Adam Shankman ✔ @adammshankman
Goodbye my amazing and beautiful friend. The lights in my world just grew dimmer. The world just lost one of our best. I love u so much...2:38 AM - 14 Jul 20135,079 RETWEETS 3,188 FAVORITES ReplyRetweetFavorite
Kim Kardashian ✔ @KimKardashian
Just heard about the death of Cory Monteith. So sad. Prayers 4 his family. Praying 4 Lea too! Words cant describe what they must be feeling2:37 AM - 14 Jul 201354,223 RETWEETS 24,466 FAVORITES ReplyRetweetFavorite
VIDEO OF LEA AND CORY BELOW:
