The world was shocked and devastated this weekend when it was announced that Disney star Cameron Boyce had passed away at just 20 years old. In a statement made on behalf of the family, it was confirmed that Cameron had passed away on July 6th in his sleep due to a seizure as a result of an ongoing medical condition.
Cameron was most well-known for his role on the Disney Channel show ‘Jessie’ from 2011-2015.
He also starred in the Grown Ups films as one of Adam Sandler’s children, and made appearances in other Disney channel shows like Shake It Up, Good Luck Charlie, and Liv and Maddie.
RELATED STORIES
Cameron also starred as Carlos De Vil in the ‘Descendants’ movies.
The Descendants films follow the lives of the children of Disney heroes and villains. Cameron played the son of Cruella De Vil, while his co-star Dove Cameron played Mal, the daughter of Maleficent.
While initially quiet on social media after Cameron’s passing, Dove has broken her silence.
After the news that Cameron had passed broke, Dove initially just shared a black and white photo of the cast of her new play, with the simple caption, “No words. words will come later.”
Dove has now shared a video in which she reads a statement she prepared about Cameron’s passing.
The video begins with Dove shakily explaining that she hasn’t felt able to express how she’s felt before now, but after returning from therapy, she explains that, “The only way to get through it right now is to… be expressive and connective, so I wrote something that I’m gonna try to read.”
In the series of videos uploaded to her Instagram, Dove is visibly holding back tears.
“The last 72 hours have felt like two weeks and I have spent them trying to make my thoughts and feeling into words. I’ve been unsuccessful thinking about trying to summarize something where there are no adequate words in the English language.”
“My system is still in shock, my brain is still foggy and full of holes.”
Dove then goes on to address Cameron’s parents and sister, saying “To Victor, Libby, and Maya,” before becoming overcome with emotion briefly.
“My heart aches for you. I’m broken for you.”
Dove shared, “I have close to nothing left, which tells me some small percentage of how you must feel. Cameron was one of my favorite people alive in the world, though I know that’s not unique to me. Cameron was magic, an earth angel.”
Dove emotionally detailed how important Cameron’s friendship was to her.
“Over the last six years, since he was only 14, Cameron talked me down from countless ledges, talked me through eating disorders, helped me out of a dark relationships and through endless break downs…”
Dove attempted to maintain composure throughout her emotional words.
“I can’t count the amount of times on my hands we ruined something because we couldn’t stop making each other laugh.”
Dove concluded her video by addressing Cameron directly.
“Goodbye my dear, dear friend and brother. You leave behind a colossal wake, a profound chasm that can never be filled…”
Dove’s video was incredibly touching and ended on a heartbreaking message.
“But you also leave millions and millions of deeply impacted, hope-filled and love-filled human beings who are who they are because of you and how you spent your brief 20 years on this earth.”
“I will spend the rest of my life missing and loving you and all the better for knowing you.”
You can watch Dove’s heartbreaking videos shared on her Instagram above. A third Descendants movie is scheduled for release in August of this year.
Cameron’s sister has also taken to Instagram to share her grief.
His sister Maya shared a series of photographs of herself and her brother, along with the words, “”Yes, he died. Yes, I’m sad. Cameron was my best friend. He is someone I will always idolize.”
“His smile could light up a room, unlike anyone else’s.”
Maya continued, “He was perfect. He always said that if you have a voice, you have the privilege of using that voice for change, and he did not take that idea lightly.”
“Of course, I am devastated. I will be for the rest of my life.”
“But what I’m holding onto, and what I encourage you to hold onto as well, is the memory of his endless optimism,” Maya wrote. “He was sunlight wearing shoes.”
“I can confidently say, he wants us to celebrate, grow, and persevere.”
She ended her statement on an extremely touching note, saying, “”Yes, he died. Yes, I’m sad. I’m also happy. And grateful. I was with him hours before he died. It was normal and fun. We said, ‘I love you.’
He was happy.”
Many have joined Dove in expressing their grief over Cameron’s passing.
Michelle shared this photo on her Instagram, with the caption, “was lucky enough to share a few moments with Cameron Boyce—on set, at the White House, and on a service project.”
Michelle ended her statement with a message of love.
“Enough time to recognize that not only did he have incredible talent, but also an incredible heart. Sending out a lot of love and hugs to his family, friends, and his many, many fans.”
Cameron’s cause of death was deferred in a statement made by the coroner.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner released a statement that stated, “”An autopsy was performed today and a cause of death was deferred pending further investigation.”
However, they have announced that it appears to be natural circumstances related to Cameron’s epilepsy.
The Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner announced that “preliminary information suggests the death occurred under natural circumstances,” and that a final cause and manner of death is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
