The father of Disney star Cameron Boyce, who also appeared alongside Adam Sandler in “Grown Ups,” said his sudden death has been a nightmare for the family.
Reports said Boyce died in his sleep over the weekend. He was 20.
“I’m overwhelmed with the love and support our family has received,”
Victor Boyce wrote on Twitter July 7. “It really does help to ease the pain of this nightmare I can’t wake up from. I can’t thank you guys enough.”
His comment was met with support from fans and well-wishers.
“Cameron will NEVER be forgotten,” wrote one fan. “He’s a young legend that has touched millions. Your beautiful freckled face son is a light to all of us. He never failed to inspire and you are the reason behind this young talented man. We love you all. And may god be with you.”
His family issued a statement following his death.
The family said, “He passed away in his sleep due to a seizure which was a result of an ongoing medical condition for which he was being treated. The world is now undoubtedly without one of its brightest lights, but his spirit will live on through the kindness and compassion of all who knew and loved him,”
TMZ reported.
A family spokesperson added in the statement: “We are utterly heartbroken and ask for privacy during this immensely difficult time as we grieve the loss of our precious son and brother.”
Sandler, meanwhile, said he was heartbroken over the young actor’s death.
“Too young. Too sweet. Too funny. Just the nicest, most talented, and most decent kid around,” Sandler
wrote on Twitter Sunday, July 7. “Loved that kid. Cared so much about his family. Cared so much about the world. Thank you, Cameron, for all you gave to us. So much more was on the way. All our hearts are broken. Thinking of your amazing family and sending our deepest condolences.”
Boyce’s “Jessie” co-stars, Skai Jackson and Charles Esten, also offered condolences.
“I don’t even know where to start… I am at a loss for words,”
Jackson wrote on Instagram. “I never thought in a million years I would be writing this. Cam, you were one of a kind. My heart will be forever broken. I am so happy that I got to spend almost everyday with you on set, you gave the best hugs. I wish I would have hugged you tighter when I saw you a couple of months ago. Thank you so much for being the big brother I never had… I am so distraught and I cannot stop crying! I love you so much… fly high … Gods best Angel. #CameronBoyce”
“My family and I are devastated today, by the loss of our young and amazing friend, Cameron Boyce,” Esten tweeted. “Years before I was blessed to play his father on JESSIE, we were blessed to know him and his wonderful family at the elementary school our kids all attended together.”
According to the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some people run the risk of “Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP),” adding that “most, but not all, cases of SUDEP occur during or immediately after a seizure. The exact cause is not known.”
Risk factors include frequent or uncontrolled seizures, seizures that start at a young age, many years living with epilepsy, missed medicine doses, and more, the agency says.
