Alec Baldwin, 64, has paid tribute to Halyna Hutchins, one year after she died while working on the set of the yet-to-be-completed western film Rust.
The seasoned actor and producer of the film was rehearsing with a prop gun on the New Mexico film set when it accidentally discharged and killed the cinematographer, also injuring director Joel Souza in the process.
WATCH: Alec Baldwin addresses a controversial voicemail to his daughter Ireland Baldwin.
Close to a year since the tragic accident occurred, the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office has yet to charge anyone, despite a six-month external investigation finding a “willful and serious” violation of workplace safety procedures.
In a post to his Instagram account, Baldwin wrote “one year ago today”, sharing an image of Hutchins with a camera.
And whilst several of Baldwin’s fellow actors commented with messages of support, including Leslie Jordan, Cheryl Hines, and Lesley Ann Warren, many deemed the post distasteful and incredibly tone-deaf given the circumstances.
“How incredibly out of touch” one follower commented.
“This is so weird, especially how casual he is about it. It’s like tbt to the day I shot and killed this woman”, said another.
Many criticized Baldwin for being ‘cold’ in his messaging, and not elaborating with kind words or a memorial message about Hutchins, whose life was cut short at the age of 42.
The one-year anniversary comes just weeks after Baldwin and other defendants settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the Hutchins family for an undisclosed sum.
Rust will resume filming in January and Matthew Hutchins, Halyna’s widower, will be an executive producer and receive a portion of the profits.
And in a shocking twist, director Souza will also return to the set.
Joel Souza, Director of Rust, said: “Those of us who were lucky enough to have spent time with Halyna knew her to be exceedingly talented, kind, creative, and a source of incredible positive energy. I only wish the world had gotten to know her under different circumstances, as it surely would have through her amazing work.”
“In my own attempts to heal, any decision to return to finish directing the film could only make sense for me if it was done with the involvement of Matt and the Hutchins family.
“Though certainly bittersweet, I am pleased that together, we will now complete what Halyna and I started. My every effort on this film will be devoted to honoring Halyna’s legacy and making her proud. It is a privilege to see this through on her behalf.”
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