Heather Morris is still grieving the death of Naya Rivera four years ago. At the age of 33, Rivera drowned while boating with her four-year-old son.
Heather Morris remembers her late friend Naya Rivera
Four years later, following the tragic incident on July 8, Morris, 37, paid tribute to her close friend and former Glee castmate via Instagram. She posted an old photo of them together and shared how she felt like time went by so fast, but for her, the pain is still very real and eternal. Morris, who played the nurse-turned-girlfriend of Santana Lopez (Rivera), often thinks Rivera is guiding her.
“I can’t believe it’s been 4 years…man, time goes by so fast. Yet every year I’m amazed at how much it still hurts. We grew together, grew apart, and came back together in such a beautiful way. God I miss you so much,” she wrote in the caption.
Heather Morris’s touching tribute to Naya Rivera
A search party was deployed at Lake Piru in Ventura County the same day the incident occurred. Some of the cast members, including Morris, were there to support each other. After Rivera’s body was found, Morris wrote an emotional caption that showed his sons playing together because it meant a lot to Rivera.
Morris said they had a falling out but reconciled before describing Naya Rivera as stronger than anyone she knows. From Rivera, Morris learned about grieving in company and its connection to beauty, strength and resilience.
“The most important lesson I learned from you was to be a lasting and loving friend,” Morris wrote about learning from Rivera.
She added, “I talk to you every day because I know you’re still with me, and even though I’m tempted that we don’t get to spend more time together,” she cherishes every moment they have together and holds it close to her heart.
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