We’ve been hoping for a miracle! But the tragic discovery of the body of actress Naya Rivera in a Californian lake earlier today has confirmed our fears. The star has died at the age of 33.

The body of the Glee star, who played spicy cheerleader Santana Lopez in the hit musical TV series, was recovered in Lake Piru, six days after she disappeared.

The Ventura County Sheriff has confirmed that the identity of the body was indeed Rivera.

She had rented a pontoon boat with her four year old son Josey Hollis Dorsey, and the boy was discovered napping on the boat alone.

What Naya’s Son Said

“We know from speaking with her son that he and Naya swam in the lake together at some point during their journey,” the sheriff said in a press conference.

“It was during that time that her son described being helped into the boat by Naya who boosted him onto the deck from behind. He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water.”

What May Have Happened

There are speculations that Rivera and her son had got caught in a fierce current while swimming. The celeb managed to save her son but not herself.

“There are a lot of currents on the lake that appear particular in the afternoon,” the sheriff said.

“We believe it was midafternoon when she disappeared. The idea being perhaps 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.”

No Foul Play

“Detectives from our major crimes bureau (have) revealed there was no indication of foul play and no indication this was a suicide.”

Rivera’s body has now been taken to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy to confirm the cause of death.

So Sad!

Fans, family and fellow Glee stars have poured out their sorrow at the tragedy. A photo has emerged showing several Glee stars holding hands with Rivera’s family members looking out at the lake where Rivera died.

 

“It has been an extremely difficult time for her family throughout this ordeal. Our hearts are with them and we share in their grief for Naya’s loss,” the Sherrif said.

“Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were,” wrote Glee co-star Jane Lynch on Twitter.

“Naya Rivera was a fierce talent with so much more to do and this is such a terrible tragedy. We are forever grateful for the indelible contribution she made to Glee, from the first episode to the last,” said a statement from 20th Century Fox TV and Fox Entertainment.

Rivera married actor Ryan Dorsey in 2014 and their son, Josey, was born in 2015. She called her young son “my greatest success, and I will never do any better than him”. The couple divorced two years later.

Josey is now safe in the custody of family members.

RIP Naya!

We are big Glee fans. We’re so sad about the death of Naya Rivera. Tell us how you are feeling in the comments below.

 

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