The family of Glee star Mark Salling has confirmed

The family of Glee star Mark Salling has confirmed he is dead at the age of 35. "I can confirmed that Mark Salling passed away early this morning. Mark was a gentle and loving person, a person of great creativity, who was doing his best to atone for some serious mistakes and errors of judgement," says his family, referring to Salling pleading guilty to possession of child pornography. 

Salling's death appears to be a suicide. Authorities reportedly found the actor's body hanging from a tree near Big Tujunga Creek in Los Angeles. No other details have been released. 

Salling was awaiting sentencing in his child pornography case. He was expected to receive between 4 and 7 years of prison time. 

Salling is survived by his parents and brother.