Inside Tahj Mowry's Heartbreaking Tribute to Ex-girlfriend Naya Rivera Amid Her Disappearance [UPDATED]

UPDATED: Naya Rivera's body has been found in Lake Piru on Monday, July 13, 2020. Her death was ruled as an accidental drowning with no foul play suspected.

Amid the continued search for actress Naya Rivera, 33, her former co-star, Tahj Mowry, 34, has honored her in a lengthy social media post. The pair appeared on “Smart Guy” in 1997 and 1999.

Mowry shared a black-and-white image of Rivera on Instagram with a long and heartfelt caption. The actor confessed that he was “devastated” by Rivera’s disappearance and stated: “This is a nightmare.”

He admitted that it was getting harder for him daily as Rivera still hasn’t been found. However, he hoped she would be discovered.

EXPERIENCING MANY FIRSTS TOGETHER

The star then spoke about how they grew up with each other and “experienced so many firsts together.” Mowry then revealed how she’d been his first love and the journey they experienced together in their relationship.

The actor admitted: “No woman has ever measured up what you gave me or how you made me feel.” He also confessed that he’d never stopped loving the “Glee” star and held out for them getting back together one day.

RIVERA’S FIRST KISS

In her 2016 memoir, “Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes and Growing Up,” Rivera revealed how Mowry had been her first kiss. Mowry then shared his support for the Rivera family, including Mychal and Nickayla, who are the actress’s siblings.

He offered his assistance to the missing star’s parents, George and Yolanda. The Honolulu, Hawaii born actor also asked his followers to “lift up” Ryan and Josey Dorsey, 4, in prayer.

PRAYING FOR NAYA’S SAFE RETURN

Ryan is Rivera’s ex-husband and their son is Josey who was with the missing actress when she disappeared. He also requested prayers for Rivera’s safe discovery.

WHEN DID NAYA DISAPPEAR

On July 8, 2020, Rivera went missing at California’s Lake Piru after renting a pontoon boat. Her son was later discovered asleep on the boat but she was nowhere to be found.

RIVERA COULD BE DEAD

Last Thursday, authorities said they presumed the actress was dead. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office shared that "investigators believe Rivera drowned in what appears to be a tragic accident."

HEATHER MORRIS ASKS FOR PRAYERS

Other stars have asked for prayers and the safe return on the missing actress. On Wednesday, Heather Morris, who played the character of Brittany S. Pierce on “Glee,” took to her Instagram Story to ask for prayers.

DEMI LOVATO PRAYING FOR NAYA

Demi Lovato also did the same on her own Instagram Stories. She had a guest role on “Glee” as Dani, who was the love interest of Rivera's character, Santana Lopez.