Naya Rivera Missing at California Lake
The search for Naya Rivera continues after she went missing on Wednesday evening.
The “Glee” actress is feared to have drowned in Lake Piru in Ventura County, Calif. Rivera rented a boat about 1 p.m. Wednesday with her 4-year-old son Josey, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The boy got back onto the boat after a swim, but his mother did not follow. “We’re going on the belief that she did go in the water, and we have not been able to locate her. So this may well be a case of drowning,” said Ventura County Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Buschow.
About three hours after they left the dock, another boater discovered a boat drifting with a child asleep onboard. Authorities were notified and they began searching for Rivera from air and with a dive team on Wednesday evening. The lake was closed to the public as the search resumed on Thursday morning.
The missing person at Lake Puru has been identified as Naya Rivera, 33, of Los Angeles. SAR operation will continue at first light. @VCAirUnit @fillmoresheriff @Cal_OES pic.twitter.com/bC3qaZS3Ra
— Ventura Co. Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) July 9, 2020
Rivera’s son, who is currently with family, was wearing a life vest and an adult life vest was found on the boat, reports the Los Angeles Times. “He’s in good health,” said Bushow. “The family is going through a very traumatic time right now.”
Friends including Jackée Harry and Demi Lovato have asked for prayers amid the search. “Please pray for @nayarivera to be found safe and sound,” Lovato said on Instagram.
Demi Lovato shares message of hope after Naya Rivera goes missing:
“Please pray for @NayaRivera to be found safe and sound” pic.twitter.com/WCSLsf9XNO
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 9, 2020
Prayers up for the lovely Naya Rivera. 🙏🙏
We starred alongside one another in her first very television series, The Royal Family, and I’ve watched her career blossom ever since. Please God, don’t cut this life short. pic.twitter.com/8fRDuuh3oK
— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) July 9, 2020
Earlier in the week, the 33-year-old actress-singer posted a photo with her son with the caption, “Just the two of us.”
Rivera played Santana Lopez on “Glee” for six years from 2009, and also starred on the CBS sitcom “The Royal Family” and in the comedy film The Master of Disguise. In 2013, she released her single “Sorry” featuring then-boyfriend Big Sean. She was previously married to actor Ryan Dorsey.
UPDATE: Rivera is presumed dead in a possible drowning after she went missing on the lake, authorities said. The search has now shifted from a rescue to a recovery mission. Law enforcement says it typically takes 7 to 10 days for a body to rise to the surface.
“There’s no evidence of foul play at this point,” said Ventura County Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Buschow. “This may well be a case of drowning.”