Naya Rivera: Body found in search for missing ‘Glee’ star
The actress, 33, went missing last Wednesday after going boating on Lake Piru, California, with her 4-year-old son.
By Will Stroude
Police searching for Glee star Naya Rivera have confirmed that a body has been found in the California lake where she disappeared has been identified as that of the actress.
Rivera, 33, went missing last Wednesday (8 July) after going boating on Lake Piru, just over 50 miles north of Los Angeles, with her 4-year-old son, Josey.
Rivera’s son was discovered alone and unnharmed in the rental boat after the actress failed to return the vessel to shore, sparking a search which police confirmed on Friday (9 July) they were treating as a ‘recovery operation’.
Police say there is no indication of foul play or that the actress took her own life.
A body has been found at Lake Piru this morning. The recovery is in progress. There will be a news conference at 2 pm at the lake
— Ventura Co. Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) July 13, 2020
Rivera was best-known for her portrayal of razor-tongued high school cheerleader Santana Lopez on hit musical series Glee for six season from 2009-2015.
The character’s storylines saw her coming to terms with her lesbian identity and embark on a relationship with friend and fellow cheerleader Brittany (Heather Morris), something which established Rivera as a firm favourite among Glee‘s legions of LGBTQ fans.
Over the weekend, Rivera’s former co-star Morris had publicly offered to assist the police search, writing on Twitter: “I understand your team is doing EVERYTHING in their power, but we are feeling helpless, powerless and want to help in any way.”
Rivera married actor Ryan Dorsey – the father of her son Josey – in 2014, but the couple divorced four years later and shared joint custody of their child.
Just 24 hours before her disappearance, Rivera shared a picture of herself with Josey on social media, writing: “Just the two of us”.