Fans of Cory Monteith rushed to pay tribute to the late Glee star, leaving notes and mementos outside the Vancouver hotel where he died on Saturday, just as authorities have expedited the postmortem investigation in order to satisfy the "intense public interest" in the case.
The British Columbia Coroners Service confirmed Monday that an autopsy, including a toxicology screening, will be conducted today, though results will not be available for several days "at the earliest."
Still, a few days is akin to light years when it comes to toxicology testing, with most—even in cases of high-profile deaths—taking four to eight weeks to complete.
The BC Coroners Service said that it will issue further updates as the information becomes available.
Meanwhile, a makeshift memorial has sprung up outside the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in downtown Vancouver, where the 31-year-old Monteith was found dead on Saturday. As of Monday morning, the entire 21st floor, where he had been staying, remained roped off by authorities.
Fans have left flowers, messages and photos to honor the late star, whose death about two and a half months after he left rehab came as thoroughly heartbreaking news to so many.
One handwritten note, signed Felicia M., read: "Cory, you were such an amazing musician, actor and most importantly a great person. I had the pleasure of meeting you and will never forget it. I'll never forget Finn Hudson, the awkward 'jock' who was kind to everyone on the hit show Glee. You touched so many lives through your work & we thank you.
"You will be greatly missed but you'll always be remembered. We love you. Thoughts and prayers go out to Cory's friends, family and fans."
Monteith told E! on June 8, in what appears to have been his final interview with the media, that he was "really, really happy" to be returning to Glee in the fall. "It's really good," he said.
UPDATE: BC Coroners Service spokeswoman Barb McClintock confirmed Monday evening that the autopsy was completed and toxicology samples were taken for testing. Initial results should be available Tuesday, but additional tests could be required to establish official cause of death.
McClintock told The Hollywood Reporter that Monteith's family will be notified of the results first, before any media outlets.
(Originally published July 15, 2013, at 1:51 p.m. PT)