Zachary Quinto recently reflected on Anton Yelchin’s untimely passing, describing it as a “devastating loss” to everyone who knew him. He also admitted that the Star Trek cast are still mourning and trying to come to terms with the loss.
The medical examiner concluded that 27-year-old Yelchin’s death was the cause of blunt traumatic asphyxia. He died in his Los Angeles home on June 19 after his car rolled backward and pinned him against the driveway gate.
During a guest appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Quinto added: “Beautiful, beautiful guy. I don’t even know how to talk about it. We already knew this was going to be a bittersweet experience as a result of the loss of Leonard [Nimoy, who died in February 2015]. But this has been absolutely devastating for all of us. I think our goal just has to be to celebrate his incredible life and honour him. It was a terrible loss, not only to us but to audiences and the industry.”
A private service was held for the late actor and he was subsequently buried in an undisclosed location in California.
Anton was scheduled to rehearse on the night of his passing. When he failed to appear on the set, friends drove to his residence and found his lifeless body. Though his death was ruled an accident, investigators are trying to determine whether the incident was caused by mechanical malfunction or human error.
Quinto had also written a message dedicated to Yelchin earlier on Instagram, sharing: “our dear friend. our comrade. our anton. one of the most open and intellectually curious people i have ever had the pleasure to know. so enormously talented and generous of heart. wise beyond his years. and gone before his time. all love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief (sic)”