Glee Star Naya Rivera's Body Recovered After a Six-day Search
27th July, 2020
The body of 33-year-old Naya Rivera, who played the role of a gay cheerleader on TV musical Glee , was recovered after she had gone missing near Lake Piru.
Shutterstock
A tragic end meets the search of Glee actor Naya Rivera. On July 8, Rivera was reported missing after her four-year-old son Josey was found alone on a pontoon boat she had rented for a boat trip on Lake Piru. She was presumed dead after an adult life jacket was found on the boat—Josey was wearing his. The authorities confirmed her death on Monday, July 13, six days after she disappeared when local police found a body matching Rivera’s description, floating in the California lake
1. Josey told investors that his mother heaved him back on the boat before she disappeared underwater. In a news conference, the sheriff explained that she mustered enough energy to get her son back on the boat but not herself. This was @NayaRivera’s last tweet.
just the two of us pic.twitter.com/wCunAlGJ1B
— Naya Rivera (@NayaRivera) July 7, 2020
2. The Ventura County Sheriff, Bill Ayub, said that Rivera’s body was most likely stuck in the bottom of the lake’s vegetation for several days before it drifted to the top. We believe she was a fighter, and these words by @NayaRivera wrenches our hearts.
no matter the year, circumstance, or strifes everyday you're alive is a blessing. make the most of today and every day you are given. tomorrow is not promised pic.twitter.com/O4t7wdqA4k
— Naya Rivera (@NayaRivera) July 2, 2020
3. For five days, professional divers searched the waters. Since the water didn’t have enough visibility, the divers were roped down. After Rivera’s body was recovered, the Glee cast gathered at Lake Piru to grieve her death.
5. Naya was from Santa Clarita, California, and began her career in acting when she was four, as seen in this clip posted by @hiphopurbanpop. She also starred in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Royal Family, and The Bernie Mac Show.
6. In the first season of Glee, Rivera played a secondary character, who was named Santana Lopez. @2002princess shows us a glimpse of the mean-spirited cheerleader who dealt with too many ups-and-downs in her life.
7. Before Glee happened to @nayarivera, she worked odd jobs as a telemarketer, a nanny, a waitress, and even an Abercrombie & Fitch greeter. Naya had come a long way since then.
8. Naya Rivera played the role of Blanca Alvarez on five episodes of Devious Maids, which aired in 2015. This was her first major role since Glee happened. @gilmoreasalways reminisces these fond memories of her.
9. In her 2016 memoir, Sorry not Sorry Rivera spoke up about her past battle with anorexia, her abortion, and failed relationship with Mark Salling and Big Sean, respectively. Post by @betweenthecoversxx.
10. @nayarivera called Josey her greatest success in life. She was married to actor Ryan Dorsey in 2014, and their son was born the following year. But, in 2017, the couple parted ways.
11. @nayarivera got the role of Collete Jones on YouTube’s Step Up series based on the movie; however, the show was canceled last year. Thankfully, Starz picked up the series in 2020.
12. Glee co-star Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch), who also co-created and produced the FX television show Pose, tweeted her condolences on Twitter. Lynch played the role of a cheerleading coach called Sue Sylvester.
Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were. Love and peace to your family.
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) July 13, 2020
13. Golden Globe Award winner Chris Colfer (@chriscolfer), who played Kurt Hummel on the show, wrote a lengthy and emotional caption on his Instagram. Naya’s death clearly affected him, and his post says it all.
14. Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss), who portrayed the character of Blaine Anderson, in a series of tweets, tells us what a beautiful soul and a kind human Naya was. Clearly, a force to be reckoned with. We hope her soul rests in peace.
She was bold. She was outrageous. She was a LOT of fun.Naya made me laugh like no one else on that set. I always said it while we were working together and I’ve maintained it ever since. Her playful, wicked sense of humor never ceased to bring a smile to my face.
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) July 14, 2020
