Lea Michele Steps Out for First Time Since Boyfriend Cory Monteith’s Death

Slowly, Lea Michele is returning to public life.

But she's not at all leaving the memory of her late boyfriend Cory Monteith behind.

The "Glee" star, 26, was spotted in L.A. on Tuesday for the first time since Monteith's shocking death from an overdose of alcohol and heroin on July 13 at just 31.

She was spotted in a car with a friend while wearing the gold "Cory" necklace that she debuted in January.

Michele made a statement about Monteith, her boyfriend of more than a year, for the first time Monday with a Twitter post.

"Thank you all for helping me through this time with your enormous love & support," she wrote. "Cory will forever be in my heart."

Michele and her cast mates, who also have offered touching statements, are expected to film an episode that's a tribute to Monteith soon. The show's co-creator Ryan Murphy told Deadline that production on the new season will begin next month, later than planned, to "help with the grieving process." The Cory episode will air after an already written, two-part arc featuring Beatles songs, and just before the show takes a hiatus to regroup.

Take a look back at Lea and Cory's sweet romance.

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