Lea Michele breaks silence over Cory Monteith death

Actress Lea Michele, the girlfriend and cast mate of late "Glee" star Cory Monteith, has thanked fans for their support in her first public comments since the actor's death earlier this month.

"Thank you all for helping me through this time with your enormous love & support," Michele, 26, posted on Twitter along with a photo of her and Monteith. "Cory will forever be in my heart."

Monteith, 31, who had struggled with substance abuse, was found dead in a Vancouver hotel room on July 13 from an apparently accidental overdose of heroin and alcohol.

He played Finn Hudson, a high school jock turned glee club singer, in the Fox musical comedy.

The series' fifth season will premiere on September 26, a week later than originally planned so that writers can revise episodes due to Monteith's death.