After being reported missing last week, Glee star Naya Rivera has now been identified as the body found at Lake Piru.
On July 8, Naya Rivera was feared to be dead, after the news about her 4-year-old son was found sleeping on a drifting boat alone in Lake Piru—Reservoir in California. After six days of searching, Ventura County Sheriffs found a body that was later identified as the actress.
Naya Rivera update: Sheriff identifies actress’s body
In a press conference on Monday, Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub confirmed what many have feared since the Glee star’s disappearance—her death.
“She was found in a northeastern portion of the lake, near the surface of the water. The depth of the water in that area is between 35 and 60 ft. deep, and there’s heavy brush and trees on the lake bed there,” says Ayub, per CBS Los Angeles.
The clothing and physical characteristics of the body found on the lake reportedly matches that of the 33-year-old actress. They also crossed-match the body from other missing persons reported within the said area, where Naya was missing.
Sherrif’s take on what happened to Naya Rivera
According to the authorities, her son, Josey, described that he was assisted into the boat by Naya, “who boosted him to deck from behind.” Sadly, the child continued to narrate to the investigators that when he looked back, he saw her mother disappearing into the water.
Ayub weighed in on the possible scenario that transpired which resulted in Naya missing and eventually, her death. Accordingly, the boat must have started drifting, as they saw that the boat was unanchored, and that Naya “mustered enough energy to get her son back on to the boat but not enough to save herself.”
Furthermore, Sherrif Ayub has dismissed any form of foul play on Naya’s death, nor was it a form of suicide. Nevertheless, the actress’s body, as we speak, is at the Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy and to officially identify her body through dental records, per CBS Los Angeles.
Naya Rivera’s life and Hollywood career
Naya was wildly known for her fierce portrayal of Santana Lopez in Fox’s hit series Glee. But, the actress’s career on Hollywood dates back to 1991 when she appeared in Eddie Murphy’s The Royal Family sitcom.
Vanity Fair enumerates Naya’s noted appearances, which are Family Matters, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Even Stevens, and Baywatch.
Naya did not just create an impact to the lives of her fans, but also to her co-stars, especially, in Glee. Before Sheriff Ayub officially announced about Naya’s body finally recovered, the Glee cast was seen at the shore of Lake Piru hold hands in honor of their beloved friend.
This photo of the cast of #Glee gathering together at Lake Piru today where #NayaRivera’s body was found is incredibly powerful — especially when you consider today is the 7 year anniversary of Cory Monteith’s death. I’m a mess. pic.twitter.com/RhY9hUb78E
— Dave Quinn (@NineDaves) July 13, 2020
Many of the Hollywood stars, most especially those that have worked with Naya, have expressed their pain in Naya’s passing.
Featured image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons