#7YearsWithoutCory: 'Glee' fans pay tribute to Cory Monteith on death anniversary, pray for Naya Rivera's return
July 13 marked seven years since 'Glee' star Cory Monteith lost his battle with addiction. Despite the years passing, the love his fans had for him hasn't waned, and several took to social media to express the void his passing left in their life. But unlike past years, fans found themselves grieving harder more this year owing to the disappearance of fellow 'Glee' star Naya Rivera who remains missing despite the best efforts of the local search and rescue parties to locate her and bring her back home to her son.
In 2013, Monteith passed away following an accidental overdose resulting from mixed drug toxicity. The actor, who was 31 years old at the time, had checked in to the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver for a seven-night stay but when he failed to check out, the hotel staff entered his room and discovered his body. The coroner ruled that while Monteith had battled drug abuse throughout his life, this was often punctuated with periods of abstinence and this most likely resulted in his previously-developed tolerance to have lowered. At the time of his passing, Monteith was in a relationship with his 'Glee' co-star, Lea Michele. The show, after careful consideration, elected to continue filming and airing 'Glee' after sending Monteith's character Finn Hudson off in the episode 'The Quarterback'. In honor of the star, Monteith's fans raised money to name a star after him, inspired by a scene from the show.
Fans engaged in an outpouring of grief as they remembered Monteith on the anniversary of his death. One fan shared, "Tw// death / I watched glee for the first time ever this year and I understand how badly it hurt to lose him. I hope he’s happy wherever he is #7yearswithoutcory." Another stated, "It’s really crazy that it’s been 7 years without him this show had such an amazing impact on my life and I will definitely always miss him," one said, "I miss you forever... rip angel," adding "You’ll always be our quarterback," and one fan shared a quote from Monteith that read, "My past made me who I am today. I can’t just pretend it never happened. But the biggest lesson I learned from that, is that I can be an example for others who are still struggling! There’s always hope and help for everyone."
In a series of tweets, one fan recalled, "I cannot fathom that it’s already been seven years without you, @CoryMonteith. I remember coming home and hearing the news. I was devastated. I couldn’t sleep that night. I stayed up all night crying. How does one begin to process the fact that their idol, someone they looked up to, had just passed away? Your death still hurts my heart as much as it did seven years ago and I’m sure it will always hurt this much. Wherever you may be, I hope you’re happy and doing okay. . . I love and miss you . . . so much." Another fan shared, "I miss you so much and everyday without you is a battle, but I’m learning to be okay with it, I’m doing better than ever. I wish I could see that smile again. Thanks for taught me how to love myself, Cory, I will always love you," and one simply said, "You’’ll always be in my heart." Several accounts also shared how much Monteith inspired them, with some calling him an "incredible person" and others marveling at his talent
Fans also shared their grief over Rivera's disappearance, adding it was an exceptionally difficult time for 'Glee' fans. In response to a 2013 tweet from Monteith that read, "...so... what did I miss?," one fan shared, "In the past 7 years you have missed so much, some of it good, other parts bad. We know you are there watching and seeing everything as it happens but it isn’t the same. We miss our quarterback, but you knew that already. #7yearswithoutcory and it still hurts." They continued, "If by some horrible—cruel chance our worst fears came true and you have been reunited with Naya please give her a hug from us all. We’re trying so hard to get her justice. We’re trying so hard to keep it together because we have gut feelings that she’s still fighting wherever she is and we refuse to give up on her. We know you have seen the way we have taken your death every year since and we hope everyone has made you more and more proud everyday. Until next time Cory #7yearswithoutcory #FindNaya."
More fans shared similar sentiments, with some stating, "#7yearswithoutcory We miss you so much baby Cory #nayarivera #FindNayaRivera #PrayingforNaya #BringNayaHome," and others sharing, "Today’s a tough one, I hope they find Naya and bring her back to her family." Some were understandably angry with how much the 'Glee' fandom has had to endure over the last decade, with one fan stating, "Why is Glee news never good news? #FindNaya #7yearswithoutcory."