Entertainment TV Rel Co-Creator Kevin Barnett Honored by Costar Lil Rel Howery and More: 'I'm Truly Heartbroken' Jess Hilarious, Lil Rel Howery, and Jordan L. Jones were among those who paid tribute to Barnett on Tuesday By Joelle Goldstein Joelle Goldstein Instagram Twitter Joelle Goldstein is the Staff Editor of TV for PEOPLE Digital. She has been with the brand for five years, beginning her time as a digital news writer, where she covered everything from entertainment news to crime stories and royal tours. Since then, she has worked as a writer-reporter on the Human Interest team and an associate editor on the TV team. In her current role, Joelle helps oversee all things TV, and enjoys being able to say she has to watch The Kardashians, America's Got Talent, Love Is Blind and Dancing with the Stars for her "work" responsibilities. Prior to joining PEOPLE, Joelle was employed at The Hollywood Reporter, where she was co-nominated at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Magazine Article for feature cover story. She graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor's degree in Television-Radio (and an appearance in the NCAA Women's Volleyball Final Four!) People Editorial Guidelines Published on January 23, 2019 01:30 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Bryan Bedder/WireImage Kevin Barnett‘s costars are remembering the Rel co-creator after his sudden death in Mexico. The comedian, 32, passed away unexpectedly while vacationing in the country, the Last Podcast Network — on which Barnett co-hosted weekly podcast Roundtable of Gentlemen —confirmed on Tuesday. His cause of death is currently unknown. Barnett co-created Fox’s comedy series Rel, which premiered in September, alongside Lil Rel Howery and Josh Rabinowitz. Following the devastating news, Howery, 39, struggled to find the words to pay tribute to his fellow costar and friend in an Instagram post. “I was trying to figure out what to say but I can’t I’m truly heartbroken by this and just really hurt as the hours pass…” he wrote alongside a photo of Barnett. “So gifted and so dope and a true friend!!!! I don’t know what else to say this is crazy to me!!!!” Joining him in remembering Barnett were fellow Rel costars Jess Hilarious and Jordan L. Jones. “I’m so sorry Kevin😢 you were soooo sweet and the fact that I’ll never ever get to hear you say ‘Coolio🤙🏾’ and I’d roll my eyes and say ‘Kevin that s— is corny’ ever again is breaking my heart,” the 27-year-old actress wrote on Instagram. “Rest In Peace Angel 🙏🏾” Added Jones in his Instagram Stories: “So fortunate GOD placed you in my life, learned a lot from you boss. This is so crazy idk what else to say. Rest Easy KB.” Along with the touching message, Jones wrote “Gone but never forgotten” above a photo of Barnett. Jordan L. Jones’ Instagram Stories. Jordan L. Jones Instagram In addition to his costars, several actors and comedians also expressed their condolences. Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s Chelsea Peretti tweeted, “I am so sad.” Crashing‘s Jamie A. Lee wrote on Instagram, “A shocking, horrible loss. Kevin Barnett was a brilliant comedian and a great guy. RIP @fatboybarnett. This is so awful. 💔” “I’m at a loss for words hearing about Kevin Barnett… We went to college together and both moved out to LA to pursue the dream,” actor and comedian King Bach tweeted. “Rest in paradise brother.” Added comedian Ryan Conner: “The loss of Kevin Barnett is devastating. Such a great guy and the most effortlessly funny comic. Anytime someone asked me to recommend a comic to check out, I always pointed to KB. I’m glad I got to see him on Friday. If you knew him, I’m so sorry. If you didn’t, same.” In a tweet Tuesday morning, Last Podcast Network explained that Barnett had died. “Dear Last Podcast family, It’s with a heavy heart we inform you of the passing of Kevin Barnett,” the podcast network tweeted. “The joy he brought to our lives is the greatest gift we have ever received,” the statement continued. “Remind your friends you love them because you never know when you’ll see them again. We love you KB.” Comedian and Rel Co-Creator Kevin Barnett Dies at 32 While Vacationing in Mexico According to Deadline, which first reported the news, Barnett died while vacationing in Mexico, and his cause of death is currently unknown. Over the weekend, Barnett shared his last social media post: a photo of himself on a sidewalk in Mexico. “In Mexico. Bought myself a sweater. Been accused of appropriation several times,” he captioned the photo of himself. “In my head I just gave a lady some money so I ain’t cold. Either way. Swag heavy. Mixtape comin. 📸: @alexjonesbaby.” He also worked on Unhitched as a producer and on The Carmichael Show as a consulting producer and writer. He had two writing projects in the works: The Wrong Missy and Alcoholics Unanimous. “Our hearts are broken, as are those of everyone at Rel, at the news of Kevin Barnett’s passing. He was an incredibly funny, wildly talented man who had so much more to do and so many more stories to tell,” a rep for Twentieth Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “We send our thoughts and prayers to his friends and family during this difficult time,” they added.