Cory Monteith's Mom Says He Was on Pain Meds for Dental Work Weeks Before His Tragic Overdose

It’s been five years since formerGleestarCory Monteithdied of aheroin overdosein 2013, but for his mother Ann McGregor, it’s like no time at all has passed. “I still can’t pick up the pieces,” McGregor, 67, tells PEOPLE of losing her younger sonwhen he was just 31. (Her son Shaun is 38.) “My world totally stopped. And I’m a different person than I was before.” Courtesy Ann Mcgregor “We used to go everywhere together,” recalls McGregor in this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on stands Friday.

Cory Monteith's Mom Says Lea Michele Broke the News of His Death: 'She Was Screaming'

Five years after formerGleestarCory Monteithdied of aheroin overdosein 2013, his mother Ann McGregorcan still recall, with chilling detail, the moment she heard the news.“I got a call fromLea [Michele, Monteith’s girlfriend of over a year] and she was screaming on the phone,” says McGregor, 67, in this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on stands Friday. “She was yelling, ‘Is it true, is it true about Cory?’ and I said, ‘What about Cory?

Cory Wharton and Taylor Selfridge March in Neighborhood Fourth of July Parade with All Three Girls

Photo:Cory Wharton/Instagram Cory Wharton/Instagram Cory WhartonandTaylor Selfridgeare enjoying a fun familyFourth of July. On Tuesday,The Challengestar, 32, shared videos on his Instagram Story showing his early kick-off to the national holiday, dressed in red, white and blue alongside girlfriendTaylor Selfridge. In the videos, Selfridge, 29, pushes a wagon where daughterMila Mae, 3, sat alone on one side while little sister Maya Grace, 13 months, sits next to big sister Ryder, whom Wharton shares withCheyenne Floyd.

Cory Wharton Asks Fans for Prayers as Daughter Maya, 7 Months, Undergoes Open Heart Surgery

Photo: Cory Wharton/Instagram Cory Wharton’s family is facing a difficult day that they hope is the beginning of a healthy new chapter for their little girl. On Wednesday,The Challengealum, 31, shared a selfie onInstagramwith 7-month-old daughter Maya Grace, revealing that she willundergo open heart surgery today. “The day is finally here@mayagrace.whartonhas her open heart surgery today ❤️ All I’m asking, is for everybody to keep us in your prayers and keep praying for her & the doctors that will be working on her heart ❤️,” he wrote.

Cory Wharton Faced 'Constant Anxiety' About Being Strong for His Family amid Daughter's Heart Surgery

Cory Whartonstruggled with the emotions he and his family were experiencing ahead of daughter Maya’sopen-heart surgeryIn the premiere episode of season 2 ofTeen Mom: Next Chapter,The Challengestar, 32, talks to girlfriendTaylor Selfridge, 27, about his frustration that their infant daughter’s surgery would potentially be postponed.“I’m really not handling this too well. I want to punch something, or scream,” he said.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.