'Glee' Actor Mark Salling Dies of Apparent Suicide Before Facing Sentencing for Child Pornography Charges

Editor’s note: The original headline and status for this post did not offer the adequate resources or support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse or for people triggered by suicide-related content. Because of this, we’ve deleted the original post from our social media. 

You can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. You can find resources for sexual assault survivors and their loved ones here. If you’re a parent whose child has been sexually abused, you can find resources here.

Thank you so much for being part of our community, and we appreciate all the feedback we’ve received.

Mark Salling, known for his role as Noah “Puck” Puckerman on “Glee,” died by suicide, TMZ reported on Tuesday. He was 35 years old.

In October, Salling pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and was set to be sentenced in March. According to TMZ, he was expected to get four to seven years in prison as part of a plea deal.

In light of the charges, public reaction has been mixed.

Today we lost another #Glee cast member.Yes, he committed crimes against children.Yes, it’s horrific. But #MarkSalling was a broken man, no doubt an abuse victim himself. I loved Mark, and am sad when I consider the devastation of his parents. PLEASE withhold your cruel comments.

— Tim Davis (@loudmouthmuch) January 30, 2018

Mark Salling did horrible things that he hadn’t yet face the consequences for but he also played a part in a show that meant the world to a lot of people. It’s okay to have mixed feelings, without defending him. But remember that suicide is never the answer. #RIPMarkSalling

— bonnie (@ohmybonnie) January 30, 2018

Don’t fucking romanticize the death of Cory Monteith and Mark Salling. Cory died because he had an addiction that eventually got him. Mark had over 50,000 pornograohic pictures of kids. “Puck and Finn” aren’t “together in again in heaven”. Stop it.

— ???? (@mlawlaww) January 30, 2018

The final episode of “Glee” aired in March 2015. Salling also released a solo album in 2010.

If this news is hard for you, know you are not alone — and there is help for people who are feeling suicidal. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.

Editor’s note: The Mighty follows suicide prevention experts’ recommendations for reporting on suicide. When sharing or reporting Salling’s death, please refrain from sharing the method or location where it occurred.

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.

If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

If you or a loved one is affected by sexual abuse or assault and need help, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.