Heather Morris has thanked fans for their support and well wishes following the death of Naya Rivera in her first post since the actress’s body was found.
Heather, who played Brittany Pierce on Glee, told her followers: ‘Taking a moment to honor my grief.
‘Thank you for all your messages and prayers. Taking care of myself and my family comes first Xo Heather.’
Heather’s character Brittany had a long-standing romance with Naya’s character Santana Lopez, culminating in the pair getting married on the show.
Naya, who died aged 33, had gone missing on Lake Piru in California last week, when her four-year-old son Josey was found asleep alone on a pontoon boat she had hired for the two of them.
Her body was found five days later, with her death being ruled as accidental drowning, with police believing she had mustered up the strength to get her son back on the boat after they got into difficulties while swimming but was unable to save herself.
Heather was one of the Glee cast members that was seen visiting Lake Piru while the search was ongoing and had appealed to the Ventura County sheriff to see if she and others could assist in the search.
She had tweeted: ‘My name is Heather Morris, I’m Nayas 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.
‘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.’
Several of Naya’s Glee co-stars have since paid tribute to her and shared the impact she had had on their lives.
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