Tahj Mowry mourned his first love, Naya Rivera, with a touching tribute following her tragic death at age 33 from an accidental drowning
In a memory of the beloved late actress, the younger brother of Sister Sister twins, Tia and Tamera Mowry, wrote that she will ‘forever’ be his ‘all time favorite dance partner’ on Wednesday via Instagram.
‘Rest in power and peace Naya Marie,’ the 34-year-old actor captioned a throwback picture of the Glee star resting her head on his shoulder with a bright smile across her face.
Devastated: Taj Mowry mourned his first love, Naya Rivera, with a heartfelt tribute following her tragic death at age 33 from an accidental drowning
In addition to posting another lively image of the mother-of-one with his arms wrapped around her waist, Tahj shared two school dance snaps from his childhood archives.
The former teenage lovebirds looked like the picture-perfect couple in coordinating black and white ensembles, as Rivera wore a decadent corsage made with roses around her wrist.
On his Instagram Story, Tahj shared another blast from the past, which showed the longtime pals standing side-by-side, as the singer stood several inches taller with a single red rose in her hand.
Young love: In a touching tribute, the younger brother of Sister Sister twins, Tia and Tamera Mowry, wrote the beloved late actress will always be his ‘all time favorite dance partner’
Naya had previously confirmed in her memoir, Sorry Not Sorry, that her former Smart Guy co-star was her first boyfriend.
The pair dated for four years between 2000 to 2004, when they were teenagers.
Over the weekend, he professed his ongoing love for ex-girlfriend on social media, as he expressed his devastation and hope that she would be found.
‘Rest in power and peace Naya Marie,’ he captioned an throwback picture of the Glee star resting her head on his shoulder with bright smile across her face
Adorable: Tahj shared another blast from the past, which showed the longtime pals standing side-by-side, as the singer stood several inches taller with a single red rose in her hand
‘My sweet Naya – to say that I am devastated would be an understatement. This is a nightmare. Everyday gets harder. However, I am holding onto hope that you will be found,’ he began in a lengthy post.
He added: ‘We grew up together. We became adults together. We experienced so many firsts together. You were my first experience with everything; love, intimacy, heartbreak. We broke each others hearts and then mended them back together…more than once.’
Tahj went on to say that no other woman in his life has ever measured up to Naya.
First love: Naya and Tahj starred in Smart Guy together and dated when they were teens between 2000 to 2004
‘I will never not think of you. No woman has ever measured up what you gave me or how you made me feel. I’ve never liked to admit it but I have never stopped loving you,’ he opened up.
‘A part of me always wished for the day where God would bring us back together to be what we dreamt we could have been.’
He continued: ‘I pray deeply for the Rivera family and that God blankets them with strength, peace, and love right now.’
‘Mychal and Nickayla – you will always be like younger siblings to me and I love you dearly. I watched you two grow up into beautiful adults. George and Yolanda – whatever you need I am here for you. We are forever family and I love you.’
Prayers: Tahj Mowry took to Instagram on Friday evening to say his devastation got harder and harder each day, but he was still holding onto hope that she would be found
Tahj added: ‘I ask everyone reading this to please lift up, along with the entire Rivera family, Ryan and Josey in prayer and to respect what they are going through during this time. I pray that God showers the entire family with strength and peace that only He can give.’
‘I still have faith. I still have hope. Let’s please all pray that she is found and brought home safely. ‘
Tahj concluded by sending a special message to his one true love.
‘Naya, I miss you deeply. I wish I got the chance to tell you that once more but I’m believing I will get that chance. I know deep down you’ve always known how I felt.’
‘I look forward to the day where I can see your beautiful face once more and tell you everything I’ve wanted to say that I didn’t get the chance to say. I love you forever. I always have and I always will. ♥️.’
Mystery: Meanwhile law enforcement sources ruled out suicide as a factor and believe the disappearance on the lake was accidental, the boat she rented on Wednesday is pictured
Tahj’s sweet message comes after the Glee star’s son, Josey, four, was found alone on a boat last week.
On Thursday, authorities with Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office said Rivera had died due to accidental drowning. The actress is survived by Josey, parents, Yolanda and George Rivera; brother Mychal and sister Nickayla.
Her family recently released a statement in the wake of authorities recovering her body from California’s Lake Piru on Monday.
‘We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey and our family over the past week,’ the family said. ‘While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honor her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit. Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter and sister.’
The family was grateful to authorities for their exhaustive search of the area for the better part of a week in their search for the actress.
Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office released the autopsy’s findings on Tuesday
Rivera’s body was recovered from the northeast portion of Lake Piru on Monday
‘The circumstances and visual characteristics all indicated that the body was that of Naya Rivera and the identity has been confirmed by dental comparison,’ a report states. ‘The autopsy findings are consistent with a drowning and the condition of the body is consistent with the time that she was submerged.
‘No traumatic injuries or disease processes were identified at autopsy.
‘There is no indication from the investigation or examination that drugs or alcohol played a role in the decedent’s death, but specimens will be submitted for toxicology testing,’ it added.
The search began after Rivera went missing on July 8 while boating with her four-year-old son Josey. The pair were swimming when Josey said Rivera didn’t get back on the boat
The date of pronouncement was listed as Monday, July 13.
The actress’ body was recovered from the northeast portion of Lake Piru, located 50 miles north of Los Angeles, on Monday after she went missing last week.
Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said there was nothing to indicate any foul play took place or that she died by suicide.
This diagram shows where actress Naya Rivera, 33, and her four-year-old son Josey rented a boat on Lake Piru before the young boy was found alone. The map in the top left shows the location of the lake in relation to Los Angeles where Rivera lives
Her family released their first statement after the autopsy confirmed her death on Tuesday, in which they paid tribute to Rivera as a ‘sassy angel’ and ‘magnetic spirit.’
‘We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey and our family over the past week,’ they told Deadline.
‘While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honor her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit. Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter and sister.’