Cory Monteith, 31

It's official now. Cory Monteith, Glee star, boyfriend to Lea Michele and heartthrob of many died of a mixed drug toxicity involving alcohol and heroin. The official statement states that there was nothing to indicate that this was anything but a tragic accident. Lea Michele's impassioned plea of privacy during these trying moments is just a glimpse into the kind of heartbreak such deaths leave behind - from families to ardent fans. A self-confessed struggler with addiction, Cory was rather candid about the fact that he was lucky to be alive this long. Glee co-stars described his as hard-working, fun-loving great guy - and yet this image of Cory's was at odds with the substance-abusing party-hard individual he became when he hung out with his home crowd in Vancouver, Canada with pals who fueled his addiction. From his family who tried to help in vain to his girlfriend and co-star Lea Michelle who went lengths to keep him clean and sober - his death has turned their efforts to dust.

Whitney Houston, 48

The golden voice that crooned to hearts across the world, I will always love you, died in 2012 putting perhaps what can only be called a troubled life to rest. Despite her immense professional success - she was etched in the Guinness Book of Records as the most-awarded singer in 2009 - her history of drug abuse coupled with a pre-existing heart condition made her accidentally drown in a bathtub at the hotel she was staying at. Survived by a daughter, her death made headlines - concerts in her memories abounded with the entire music industry coming together to pay tribute to one of the best voices the industry had seen. Ironically in her 2002 interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC, Houston said that after 10 years she saw herself living the dream of a slower pace of life filled with family time, singing for God and perhaps having grandchildren.

Amy Winehouse, 27

In 2011, 17 years after Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain's death - the world bid a farewell to Amy Winehouse. The world took her Rehab song in its stride and perhaps only after her death would many dub it as a cry for help. The official statement was alcoholism and she died of fatal alcohol poisoning - in layman terms, she drank till she died. Her end came from far too much alcohol in her blood - she died alone after she fell unconscious and slipped into a coma while watching YouTube clips of herself. Two empty vodka bottles were found at the scene. Her death at age 27 has made her a part of the "Club 27" - the group of famous musicians who have all died due to various causes at the same age. Prominent members of the club are The Rolling Stones co-founder Brian Jones, guitarist Jimi Hendrix, singer Janis Joplin, The Doors frontman Jim Morrison and Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. On the second anniversary of her death, her mother Janis revealed painfully that she never expected her firecracker daughter to live beyond 30.

Michael Jackson, 50

In 2009, the King of Pop died leaving fans and family bereft. The coroner's report stated that died of propofol and benzodiazepine poisoning leading him to have a heart attack. He passed away at his home on North Carolwood Drive in Los Angeles. It was ruled as a homicide by the courts as it was his personal physician, Conrad Murray is supposed to have administered the combination of drugs that led to his death - Murray is serving a 4-year sentence. Prince Jackson recently testified to the series of events that led to his father's death while Paris Jackson overdosed on pills in a thwarted suicide attempt - she's currently in a rehab centre being treated for depression.

Heath Ledger, 28

In 2008, Australian actor Health Ledger died due to combined drug toxicity due to oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, diazepam, temazepam, doxylamine - basically he died of overdosing on prescription drugs, again ruled accidental. He was survived by daughter Matilda and ex-girlfriend Michele Williams - it was after his death that two of his movies were released. The Dark Knight and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. IT was his portrayal of a gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain that won him accolades. He was also the first actor to receive an award posthumously for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight.

Addiction Alcoholism Los Angeles Amy Winehouse