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Naya Rivera’s Glee co-star Kevin McHale shared a devastating tribute, following her tragic death.
The 33-year-old went missing after renting a boat with son Josey, 4, on 8 July – with authorities confirming on Monday that her body had been found in their search and rescue mission on Lake Piru, California.
Speaking in a press conference, Sheriff Bill Ayub explained that she ‘mustered enough energy’ to get her little boy safely ‘back into the boat’ but was unable to save herself.
And Kevin, who played Artie Abrams in the show, praised the late star for saving her son – who she shared with ex-husband Ryan Dorsey.
Taking to Instagram, he uploaded a snap of the pair together, recalling the moment they found out about co-star Cory Monteith’s death seven years ago.
‘My Naya, my Snixxx, my Bee. I legitimately can not imagine this world without you,’ the 32-year-old began the lengthy post. ‘7 years ago today, she and I were together in London when we found out about Cory.
‘We were so far away, but I was so thankful that we had each other. A week ago today we were talking about running away to Hawaii. This doesn’t make sense. And I know it probably never will.’
Recalling their time together on Glee, he continued: ‘She was so independent and strong and the idea of her not being here is something I cannot comprehend. She was the single most quick-witted person I’ve ever met, with a steel-trap memory that could recall the most forgettable conversations from a decade ago verbatim.
‘The amount of times she would memorise all of those crazy monologues on Glee the morning of and would never ever mess up during the scene… I mean, she was clearly more talented than the rest of us.
‘She was the most talented person I’ve ever known. There is nothing she couldn’t do and I’m furious we won’t get to see more.’
‘I’m thankful for all the ways in which she made me a better person,’ Kevin wrote. ‘She taught me how to advocate for myself and to speak up for the things and people that were important to me, always.
‘I’m thankful for the times I grew an ab muscle from laughing so hard at something she said. I’m thankful she became like family. I’m thankful that my dad happened to have met her weeks before I did and when I got Glee, he told me to “look out for a girl named Naya because she seemed nice.” Well dad, she was nice and she became one of my favourite people ever.
‘If you were fortunate enough to have known her, you’ll know that her most natural talent of all was being a mother. The way that she loved her boy, it was truly Naya at her most peaceful.
‘I’m thankful that Naya got that beautiful little boy got back on that boat. I’m thankful he will have a strong family around him to protect him and tell him about his incredible mum.’
He concluded the post by adding: ‘I just hope more than anything that her family is given the space and time to come to terms with this.
‘For having such tiny body, Naya had such a gigantic presence, a void that will now be felt by all of us – those of us who knew her personally and the millions of you who loved her through your TVs. I love you, Bee.’
Naya was last seen on July 8 when she rented a pontoon boat at the lake with Josey – but when staff found the overdue boat later that afternoon, the youngster was asleep on board while his mum was missing.
Confirming that the body they had found in a search belonged to the star, Sheriff Bill said: ‘We believe it was mid-afternoon when she disappeared.
‘The idea perhaps being that the boat started drifting, it was unanchored, and that she mustered enough energy to get her son back into the boat, but not enough to save herself.’
Tributes poured in from her former Glee castmates, with Lea Michele simply posting a stunning black-and-white photo of Naya on her Instagram story.
While Amber Riley shared a video of her Naya and Josey singing along to a nursery rhyme.
‘My favourite duet partner. I love you. I miss you. I don’t have words right now, just lots of feelings,’ she penned alongside the clip.
‘Rest In Peace Angel, and know that your family will never have to worry about anything.’
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