'Dawson's Creek' actress Mary-Margaret Humes has paid tribute to her tragic co-star Obi Ndefo by hailing him as a "bright shining light"

She said on Instagram: "These words don't come easy. It's hard for me to conceive that you have left us, my dear friend.

"You always were and always will be a bright shining light. What an example of pure unfiltered love and tenacity you set as you faced life's challenges of recent.

"I will cherish all of our messages of love and support to each other over the past few years. Rest in peace sweet warrior."

Mary-Margaret accompanied her tribute with a video of him and his 'Dawson's Creek' co-stars and a throwback selfie of her with the actor.

Obi starred as Bodie Wells on the show, with his character dropped in and out of the show before it saw him settle in the Capeside community with his family.

His sister Nkem Ndefo announced his death on Facebook on Saturday (31.08.24), saying: "Heartbroken at the loss of my younger brother and knowing he's finally at peace."

She also shared a photo of her and Obi smiling together.

The actor's cause of death is not yet known.

Obi's passing comes after he lost both his legs after he was hit by a car in August, 2019, following a trip to a supermarket in Los Angeles, and after he had come from teaching a yoga class.

The actor was putting groceries into his parked SUV when he was struck by a hit and run driver who sped off after the accident, which left Obi's left leg hanging off and his right totally severed.

He lost his left leg during his recovery from the horrific incident.

Obi's acting career started after he studied drama at Yale University.

He went on to founder Los Angeles-based Arts Alliance for Humanity, a non-profit group that supports arts education in public schools and communities.

Along with becoming a yoga teacher despite being a double leg amputee, lifelong fitness fanatic Obi was also a writer.

Along with 'Dawson's Creek', his other notable TV appearances included roles on the shows 'Angel', 'The West Wing', 'Stargate SG-1', '3rd Rock from the Sun' and 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'.