Tahj Mowry Shares Childhood Photos Of Naya Rivera While Mourning Her Death

Gettyimages | Matt Winkelmeyer

Yesterday, the younger brother of “Sister, Sister” twins Tia and Tamera Mowry, shared several childhood photos of himself and Naya Rivera to his Instagram story.

The exes, who dated from 2000 to 2004, looked adorable as they posed in never before seen snaps.

In Rivera’s memoir, “Sorry Not Sorry,” she revealed Tahj Mowry was her first boyfriend. Their relationship began after Rivera guest-starred on his show, “Smart Guy” in the 1990s.

Rivera, who’s best known for her role in “Glee,” went missing on July 8, after renting a boat with her son Josey on Lake Piru in California.

Tahj Mowry/Instagram Sory

After they didn’t return, another boater found the four-year-old sleeping alone.

Rivera was declared a missing person until five days later when her body was found floating in the lake.

It’s believed the actress and her son were caught in a rip current, which is common in that area.

Josey described being pushed back on the boat by his mother. But when he turned around, she was gone.

Authorities believe Rivera "mustered enough energy to save her son, but not enough to save herself.”

Tahj Mowry/Instagram

Five days ago, before Rivera's body was found, Mowry wrote he was “holding onto hope."

“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 wrote on Instagram.

“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.”

Naya Rivera/Instagram

He continued, “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. 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.”

Yesterday, the “Baby Daddy” actor paid tribute to Rivera again with a photo of the two dancing and the caption:

“You will forever be my all time favorite dance partner. I love you.”

Ryan Dorsey/Instagram

After Mowry and Rivera split, she dated her “Glee” co-star, Mark Salling from 2008-2010.

In 2015, Salling was arrested for possessing child pornography. In 2018, he committed suicide.

Rivera started dating Big Sean in April 2013. The two became engaged that year but broke up in 2014.

Shortly after they split, the actress moved on to Ryan Dorsey, who she had dated in the past.

The couple married in 2014 and Rivera gave birth to their son in 2015. In 2017, she filed for divorce.