Mark Salling has died in an apparent suicide just weeks before facing sentencing for possession of child pornography. He was 35.
The actor, who played ‘Noah Puckerman’ on Golden Globe-winning series Glee, had recently pleaded guilty to charges of possession of child pornography and was expected to serve four to seven years in prison with 20 years supervised release.
His sentencing was scheduled for March 7.
“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,” his attorney Michael Proctor told People in a statement.
“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.”
WATCH: The former Glee actor arrives at court ahead of child pornography charges. Post continues…
In December 2015, Mark was arrested for possessing child pornography after his residence was searched by the Los Angeles Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Investigators say they found more than 25,000 images and 600 videos depicting child pornography on computer devices that belonged to the actor.
He was indicted on two counts of child pornography, and charged with receiving and possessing child porn on his laptop and a USB flash drive in May 2016.
The actor was dropped from the film Gods and Secrets after the incident.
If you or anyone you know is suffering, contact Lifeline (lifeline.org.au) on 1311 14 or visit Headspace at (headspace.org.au).
You can also visit Beyond Blue at (beyondblue.org.au) or call 1300 22 4636.
