Naya Rivera’s family has released a statement, via the actress’ rep, about the loss of their beloved family member.
“We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey and our family over the past week. While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honor her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit. Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter and sister,” the family’s statement reads. “Thank you to the men and women of the Ventura, Tulare, and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Departments for your commitment and unwavering effort to find Naya. We extend endless gratitude and ovation to the heroine who found her. Thank you to her friends, colleagues, and fans for your continuous support.”
“Heaven gained our sassy angel. We kindly request that our privacy be respected during this very difficult time,” the statement concludes.
Naya was reported missing last Wednesday (July 8) after going on a boat ride with her four-year-old son Josey on Lake Piru in the Los Padres National Forest in Ventura County, California – about 50 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. After an extensive search, authorities recovered a body from the lake on Monday (July 13).
On Tuesday (July 14), Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office issued a statement confirming Naya’s identity and cause of death – accidental drowning.
“The circumstances and visual characteristics all indicated that the body was that of Naya Rivera and the identity has been confirmed by dental comparison,” the statement reads. “The body has been X-rayed and a full autopsy has been performed. The autopsy findings are consistent with a drowning and the condition of the body is consistent with the time that she was submerged.”
The autopsy revealed that “no traumatic injuries or disease processes were identified.” There was also no indication that drugs or alcohol played a role in her death, “but specimens will be submitted for toxicology testing.”
A boater discovered Josey alone on the boat, sleeping, some three hours since they rented the boat on Wednesday, and notified officials. Josey told investigators that he and his mom had gone swimming.
Authorities speculate that Naya drowned after getting her son back onto the boat after their swim – the child had a life vest on but officials believe Naya did not. An adult life vest, presumably Naya’s, was also found on board the boat.
“The idea perhaps being that the boat started drifting, it was unanchored, and that she mustered enough energy to get her son back onto the boat, but not enough to save herself,” Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub shared in a press conference on Monday (July 13).
Friends, fans and co-stars have been mourning the tragic loss with touching tributes on social media.
Naya began acting as a child, and became a household name for her role in Glee. The show’s creators, Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, paid an emotional tribute to the actress – and made a promise to her family – in a joint statement issued following news of her death.
“Naya wasn’t a series regular when we cast her on Glee. She didn’t have more than a few lines in the pilot. But it didn’t take more than an episode or two for us to realize that we had lucked into finding one of the most talented, special stars we would ever have the pleasure of working with,” they wrote.
They praised Naya’s talents – she could act, dance, and sing, as well as “nail a joke as well as she could crush you with an emotional scene.”
“She could move between being scary tough and deeply vulnerable with ease. She was a joy to write for, a joy to direct and a joy to be around,” they added.
They also spoke of Naya’s “greatest Glee legacy.”
“It was one of the first times an openly lesbian, high school relationship was seen on network television and Naya understood what ‘Brittana’ meant to the many young women who were seeing themselves represented on television for the first time,” they reflected. “Naya always made sure that Santana’s love for Brittany was expressed with dignity, strength and with pure intentions. Naya was always moved by the girls who reached out to her to tell her how much Santana and Brittany’s love affected them. Naya’s obligation to them — and to all of her fans — was obvious. She had the rare combination of humility and endless confidence in her talent.”
“She was warm and caring and fiercely protective of the rest of the cast. She was tough and demanding. She was fun. She was kind. She was generous,” they continued. “There were ups and downs during the wonderful and stressful years we spent making Glee. We disagreed, we fought, we made up, then we fought some more, and then we made up again. The kinds of things that happen in a family. Naya was more than just an actor on our show – she was our friend.”
“Our hearts go out to her family, especially her mom Yolanda, who was big part of the Glee family and her son Josey. The three of us are currently in the process of creating a college fund for the beautiful son Naya loved most of all,” the statement concluded.
Naya’s Glee co-stars also promised to look out for Josey.
“Rest In Peace Angel, and know that your family will never have to worry about anything,” Amber Riley shared.
“You are so loved. You deserved the world and we will make sure Josey and your family feel that everyday,” Jenna Ushkowitz wrote.
“We will make sure to keep your legacy and spirit alive,” Harry Shum Jr. echoed, “so Josey will grow up to know the incredible woman you were.”
“I’m thankful he will have a strong family around him to protect him and tell him about his incredible mom,” Kevin McHale wrote.
Rest in love, Naya. You will be missed.
