Naya Rivera’s Body Found In Lake In California, ‘Glee’ Star Saved Son Josey Before Drowning

After being reported as missing on July 8, Glee star Naya Rivera’s body has been found in Lake Piru in California. On Monday, July 13 Rivera was confirmed dead by authorities soon after it was announced that a body had been found in the lake. 

The body was found somewhere between 30 to 60 feet deep in the lake and it was covered by brush and trees. The Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub explained in a press conference, “Based on the location where the body was found, physical characteristics of the body, clothing found of the body and the physical condition of the body, as well as the absence of any other persons reported in the area, we are confident the body we found is that of Naya Rivera.” 

There are plans to identify the body through dental records. An autopsy will also be conducted. 

Rivera had rented a boat with her son for the day on July 8 on Lake Piru in California. Rivera’s son Josey Hollis was found on the boat alone wearing a life vest. He told investigators that he and his mom went swimming, but Rivera never got back on the boat. Another life vest was found leading police to believe that Rivera was not wearing one at the time of the incident. 

Ayub stated, “that her son described being helped into the boat by Naya, who boosted him on to the deck from behind. He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water.” He added, “There are a lot of currents on the lake that appear particularly in the afternoon.” He then said, “We believe it was mid-afternoon when she disappeared, 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.”

On July 7, Rivera posted her final social media post. She tweeted a photo of her kissing her son with the caption, “just the two of us.” Rivera had Josey Hollis with ex-husband Ryan Dorsey in 2015. The couple divorced after two years of marriage. 

Rivera reached fame with her role as Santana Lopez on the popular television show Glee.