Culture
30 Jan 18

Mark Salling Dies Weeks After Pleading Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography

Mark Salling, who played bad-boy Noah "Puck" Puckerman in the hit musical-comedy "Glee," died of an apparent suicide today. The 35 year old pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography several weeks ago.

Salling, a Texas native, body was discovered by a riverbed in the Sunland-Tujanga neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Cast and crew members of Glee have been responding to Salling's death on Twitter.

“Today we lost another #Glee cast member,” Tim Davis, a producer on the beloved Fox show, tweeted. “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.”

Actress Jane Lynch, who played Sue Sylvester on the show, also tweeted her thoughts, saying “Let me be clear. Having compassion for #MarkSalling in no way minimizes his crimes, nor does it minimize the pain and devastation of the victims of those crimes,” Davis added of the late actor, who pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in December 2017 and was awaiting his March sentencing. “I’m just saying stop adding to his family’s pain. This was their son. If you’re without skin, feel free to cast stones.”

Salling was first arrested for possession of child pornography in December 2015. Prosecutors say he had 50,000 images of underage children.

He attempted suicide in August 2017, according to TMZ, two months before he struck a plea deal with prosecutors, agreeing to four to seven years in jail.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, you can contact Pieta House at any hour of the day by phoning Freecall 1800 247 247. Or you can simply text HELP to 51444.