Heather Morris Remembers Late Friend Naya Rivera: “You’re Missed So Much”
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Heather Morris wrote a touching tribute to honor her late friend and costar Naya Rivera, four years after Rivera’s unexpected passing.
The Glee alum, who met Rivera on the set of the hit Fox high school musical dramedy series, took to Instagram to post a throwback black-and-white photo of the two cuddling with each other on a bed.
“I can’t believe it’s been 4 years..boy how time flies. Yet every year I’m taken by surprise how much it still hurts,” Morris wrote in the caption. “We grow up together, fell apart, and came back together in such a beautiful way. God you’re missed so much…except I can’t shake the feeling you never left…you’re still here with us..guiding us to our highest potential.”
She finished off the note with a sweet nickname for the late actor: “I miss you Nay Nay.”
Rivera was reported missing on July 8, 2020 following a boating trip with her then four-year-old son, Josey, at California’s Lake Piru. Her body was later recovered from the lake five days later. She was 33 years old.
The Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub later told reporters that Rivera likely died by drowning. “We know from speaking with her son that he and Naya swam in the lake together at some point during their journey,” he said. “It was during that time that her son described being helped into the boat by Naya who boosted him onto the deck from behind. He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water.”
At the time, Morris, who played Rivera’s best friend and love interest on Glee, offered her help to police during their search for Rivera. “I’m Naya’s close friend and co-worker, and I’m trying to conduct an on foot search and rescue mission along with a small group of friends at Lake Piru,” Morris wrote on Twitter. “I understand your team is doing EVERYTHING in their power, but we are feeling helpless, powerless and want to help in any way. I have left a message with the department of Rescue and Air today, and I will call again tomorrow. Thank you.”
Afterwards, Morris shared an emotional tribute to Rivera on Instagram, including pictures of her own kids, Elijah and Owen, playing with Josey.
“You constantly taught me lessons about grief, about beauty and poise, about being strong, resilient and about not giving a fuck (but still somehow respectful ),” she wrote. “Yet, the utmost important lesson I learned most of all from you was being a consistent and loving friend. You were the first to check in, the first to ask questions, the first to listen..you cherished our friendship and I never took that for granted.”
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