Cameron Boyce, Descendants star, died in his sleep in July 2019, at the age of 20.
Dove Cameron pays tribute to Cameron Boyce
The 26-year-old actress shared a sweet Instagram post Saturday to mark Boyce’s 23rd Birthday.
Cameron shared a black-and white video in which she reached out to Boyce while sitting next to him on a panel. She captioned her post with the words, “Somewhere unnamed these moments are still occurring for the very first time, for a millionth time in real time and all the same, just as real, as I remember them being ‘then.” “
“You are still here. We love you, still. She continued, “I will always love you, unchangingly, just as this,” “Happy birthday.”
RELATED: Sofia Carson remembers Cameron Boyce’s 23rd birthday: “I Adore you”
Cameron’s post also contained what appears to have been a handwritten note by the late Descendants actor with the words “Maybe Heaven is a Jazz Club,” written on lined papers.
In July 2019, at the age of 20, Boyce passed away in his sleep. Later, it was determined that Boyce died from an epileptic seizure. This was an ongoing medical condition that he was being treated for.
“It is with a deeply heavy heart that we report the loss of Cameron,” a family spokesperson said to PEOPLE in a statement.
“He died in his sleep from a seizure that was caused by a continuing medical condition. They said that although the world has lost one of its brightest stars, his spirit will be preserved by the kindness and compassion of those who loved and knew him.”
The spokesperson said that they were “utterly heartbroken” and requested privacy as they grieve for their son and brother.
Cameron Boyce Foundation was established in his honor by his parents, the Grown Ups actor. It aims to offer “young people artistic or creative outlets as alternatives for violence and negativity and uses resources to philanthropy to promote positive change in the globe.”
The foundation hosted last week’s inaugural gala, Cam for a Cause: a Fundraiser for the Cameron Boyce Foundation To End Epilepsy. This raised money and awareness for epilepsy as well as SUDEP (Sudden unexpected death in Epilepsy).
Cameron would have been 23 years this year. Victor Boyce, Cameron’s father, told PEOPLE that just thinking about it breaks my heart every minute of every single day. He didn’t like receiving presents every year for his birthday. He was determined to give back to others and would do anything to help them. We are doing this gala in that spirit.
Libby Boyce, his mother, said that Cameron’s voice was an obligation. Although he is physically not there, he would like us to use his voice to highlight the stigmatization and isolation of epilepsy sufferers.
