Police are “confident” that they have found Naya Rivera’s body.
In a press conference on Monday (July 13) – five days after the Glee star went missing in Lake Peru in Ventura County, California – Sheriff Bill Ayub from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said a body had been found at the northeastern portion of the lake at around 9:10 a.m. on Monday.
According to Sheriff Ayub, based on the location of the body and physical characteristics, “We are confident the body we found is that of Naya Rivera.” The remains will still be taken to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy and official identification through dental records.
The VC Sherriff’s office also confirmed the news on Twitter, writing, “The news conference has concluded. Sheriff Ayub has confirmed the body recovered at Lake Piru today was Naya Rivera. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and fans during this difficult time. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of her death.”
The 33-year-old actress was reported missing after going on a boat ride with her four-year-old son Josey in Lake Piru. The actress and her son rented a pontoon boat around 1 P.M. Wednesday (July 8). Three hours later, another boater found Josey alone in the boat out in the lake, sleeping. The boater then notified officials, and search and rescue teams immediately began to search for the 33-year-old actress. Josey told officials that he and his mom went swimming, but his mother never got back on the boat.
By Thursday (July 9) morning, a report from the Sheriff’s office noted that the search and rescue mission has become a recovery mission – Naya was presumed to have drowned while swimming in the lake.
“It’s too early to say what happened,” Sgt. Kevin Donoghue from the VC Sheriff’s Office said in a press conference Thursday (July 9). “It’s not uncommon that we have boating accidents and people lose their lives.”
He also explained that the circumstances complicating their search. “There’s a lot of trees and plants and such that are under the water that can cause entanglement. Makes it unsafe for divers and a complicated search,” he said.
The continued with side-scanning sonar, divers, sniffer dogs, helicopters and remote-operated submarine vehicles equipped with cameras. Friends and fans of the actress have also offered to help In the search. However, the Sheriff’s office discouraged it due to the possible dangers in the area for untrained citizens.
“For those intent on searching for Naya Rivera on your own, 1. The lake is closed. 2. Temps are already in the 90’s. 3. The terrain around the lake is very steep and rugged. Our teams are well equipped and highly trained. We don’t want to have to rescue you,” the Sheriff’s Office tweeted on Sunday.
In what many are calling a “tragic coincidence,” Naya’s body was found near the surface of the lake on Monday (July 13), which also happens to be the seventh anniversary of the death of her Glee co-star, Cory Monteith.
“Seven years ago today Cory left us #7yearswithoutCory and now, as a tragic coincidence, they finally found Naya #RIPNayaRivera this feels unreal ….. Rest In Peace you two,” one fan shared on Twitter.
While an autopsy will be performed, Sheriff Ayub said there is no indication of foul play and no indication of a suicide.
When news of her disappearance first came to light, fans, friends and co-Stars have taken to social media to pray for her safe return. In the wake of this sad development, many are mourning the tragic loss of Naya.
Lea Michele shared tributes to Cory and Naya on her Instagram Stories.
Kevin McHale (via Twitter): “My Naya, my Snixxx, my Bee. I legitimately can not imagine this world without you.”
Jenna Ushkowitz (via Instagram): “There are no words and yet so many things I want to say, I don’t believe I’ll ever be able to articulate exactly what I feel but… Naya, you were a ⚡️ force and everyone who got to be around you knew it and felt the light and joy you exuded when you walked into a room. You shined on stage and screen and radiated with love behind closed doors.
I was lucky enough to share so many laughs, martinis and secrets with you. I can not believe I took for granted that you’d always be here. Our friendship went in waves as life happens and we grow, so I will not look back and regret but know I love you and promise to help the legacy of your talent, humor, light and loyalty live on.
You are so loved. You deserved the world and we will make sure Josey and your family feel that everyday. I miss you already.”
Diana Agron (via Instagram): “Naya and I fell into stride with such ease, she was my first friend and ally on our show. In the pilot, our characters came and went with such swiftness. Our enthusiasm brimmed with all of the unknown. We tried to grasp what the other cast members must be feeling as we were working in such separate manners. We dared to dream. What if this show worked? Wouldn’t that be something? Something was brimming, it was palpable. And thank god it worked. Naya’s magnetic talent was going to be unleashed, we just didn’t know it yet.
I’ve been revisiting Naya’s performances on our show and it has brought me great joy. To work with her was a gift. There was a great deal to absorb – her work ethic, her fearlessness, her talent – supreme. Naya had a laugh that would envelop you and hold you captive. She was mesmerizing. That twinkle in her eye, her luminous smile. Naya lead with truth, humor, wit. I loved her for all of these reasons.
I loved her sense of curiosity and wanderlust. I was lucky enough to be her travel partner for some of my most favorite adventures. As I write this, I’m grinning with swelling memories of a spontenaous 36 hour excursion – one might even say diversion – to Paris. With Naya, everything was possible and would often simply unfold before us, almost magically.
On this particular jaunt, within ten minutes of checking into our hotel, we found ourselves strolling the halls of L’École des Beaux-Arts, sipping wine from paper cups with students showcasing their latest work. It was fantastic. We were united in our commitment to discovery. And there was always a list of cleverly curated ideas in Naya’s back pocket, should we need it.
I cannot make sense of this tremendous loss. I will hold onto her and these memories for the rest of time, alongside our Glee family. Please hold space for her, her family, her beautiful boy.
In absolute, loving memory.”
Demi Lovato (via Twitter): “RIP Naya Rivera. I’ll forever cherish the opportunity to play your girlfriend on Glee. The character you played was groundbreaking for tons of closeted (at the time) queer girls like me, and your ambition and accomplishments were inspiring to Latina women all over the world.”
Skai Jackson (via Twitter): “Rip Naya.. sleep peacefully in heaven 💔”
Janel Parrish (via Twitter): “Rest In Peace and power, Naya. 😔💔”
Ashley Benson (via Twitter): “RIP sweet naya”
Aimee Carrero (via Twitter): “Absolutley devastating. Her final act was saving her son, what a terrible loss. 💔.”
Becky G (via Twitter): “Beautiful Naya Rivera, Rest In Peace. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones. You will be missed & never forgotten.”
Rest in peace, Naya. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family in this difficult time.
