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Naya Rivera found dead at 33 after body recovered from California lake

The 'Glee' actress went missing July 8 while boating with her son.
July 13, 2020 2:48 p.m. EST
July 14, 2020 9:25 p.m. EST
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The body of Glee actress Naya Rivera, 33, has been recovered after a five-day search. Monday afternoon, Ventura County Sheriff's officials confirmed the body that search crews found floating in the northeast corner of Lake Piru earlier in the day was Rivera."Today our search teams have recovered a body in the lake," Ventura Co. police said during a press conference. "Based on the location that the body was found, physical characteristics of the body, clothing found on the body, and the physical condition of the body, as well as the absence of any other persons reporting missing in the area, we are confident the body we found is that of Naya Rivera."Naya Rivera's family releases public statement following 'Glee' star's deathSheriff Bill Ayub also told reporters there are no indicators of foul play or suicide. Her body will be taken to the Ventura County Medical Examiner's office for an autopsy and official identification.“There are a lot of currents on the lake that appear particularly in the afternoon," said the Sheriff. "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.”[video_embed id='1994539']Authorities confirm Naya Rivera's body has been recovered from Lake Piru[/video_embed]Rivera went missing on July 8 on Lake Piru in California where she rented a pontoon boat with her four-year-old son Josey Hollis Dorsey whom she shares with ex-husband Ryan Dorsey. Rivera was reported missing July 8 when other boaters on the lake found Josey sleeping alone in the rented boat. Her son told authorities she jumped in the water but never resurfaced and Sheriff’s Department Capt. Eric Buschow told the media July 9 that the working theory was that the actress possibly drowned, classifying the search as a recovery. Officials have confirmed Josey is safe and in good health.After days of searching the reservoir where Rivera went missing, the Sheriff's Department expanded the search to the surrounding area and a body was recovered from the lake the morning of July 13th. Former co-stars Heather Morris and Amber Riley were highly involved in garnering support for the search mission and keeping up hope among fans.Her death comes seven years to the day since her Glee co-star Cory Monteith's passing in Vancouver. Fans and friends alike have flooded social media with love and grief at the young mother's passing and the connection with the late Monteith.
 
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There are no words and yet so many things I want to say, I don't believe I'll ever be able to articulate exactly what I feel but... Naya, you were a ⚡️ force and everyone who got to be around you knew it and felt the light and joy you exuded when you walked into a room. You shined on stage and screen and radiated with love behind closed doors. I was lucky enough to share so many laughs, martinis and secrets with you. I can not believe I took for granted that you'd always be here. Our friendship went in waves as life happens and we grow, so I will not look back and regret but know I love you and promise to help the legacy of your talent, humor, light and loyalty live on. You are so loved. You deserved the world and we will make sure Josey and your family feel that everyday. I miss you already.

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⁣⁣ Naya and I fell into stride with such ease, she was my first friend and ally on our show. In the pilot, our characters came and went with such swiftness. Our enthusiasm brimmed with all of the unknown. We tried to grasp what the other cast members must be feeling as we were working in such separate manners. We dared to dream. What if this show worked? Wouldn’t that be something? Something was brimming, it was palpable. And thank god it worked. Naya’s magnetic talent was going to be unleashed, we just didn’t know it yet. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I’ve been revisiting Naya’s performances on our show and it has brought me great joy. To work with her was a gift. There was a great deal to absorb - her work ethic, her fearlessness, her talent - supreme. Naya had a laugh that would envelop you and hold you captive. She was mesmerizing. That twinkle in her eye, her luminous smile. Naya lead with truth, humor, wit. I loved her for all of these reasons. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I loved her sense of curiosity and wanderlust. I was lucky enough to be her travel partner for some of my most favorite adventures. As I write this, I’m grinning with swelling memories of a spontenaous 36 hour excursion - one might even say diversion - to Paris. With Naya, everything was possible and would often simply unfold before us, almost magically.⁣⁣ On this particular jaunt, within ten minutes of checking into our hotel, we found ourselves strolling the halls of L'École des Beaux-Arts, sipping wine from paper cups with students showcasing their latest work. It was fantastic. We were united in our commitment to discovery. And there was always a list of cleverly curated ideas in Naya’s back pocket, should we need it. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I cannot make sense of this tremendous loss. I will hold onto her and these memories for the rest of time, alongside our Glee family. Please hold space for her, her family, her beautiful boy. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ In absolute, loving memory.

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Naya was a such a powerful force, in both her personal life and in her work. While so many of us were trying to find our voice, Naya’s was clear and resolute. When she spoke, you would embrace every last word. And when she sang, she would let you into her soul. Glee acted as only a snippet of her life that we all, thankfully, had the honor of witnessing. But Naya would shine brightest when surrounded by her wonderful family. A common passion we both shared recently was that of our roles as parents. Naya was fervent about motherhood and had a steadfast love for Josey. It is that powerful love that ensures us that her story does not end here. I’m confident that her positive influence will be continuously felt, and that her beautiful spirit will carry on in the lives of so many. I’m devastated by this immense loss. This week has been long and trying with much praying and hope. I find some solace in closure, but the pain I feel for her and her family cannot be measured. Rest in peace, keep shining down on us with your bright light.

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Naya Rivera was part of the original Glee cast and performed on the series for all six seasons. She was praised by fans for not only her stunning vocals and quick wit, but for her nuanced portrayal of sexuality, and ferocious support for the LGBTQ+ community. Over the course of the series, Rivera's Santana Lopez explored the vast range of emotions and experiences of a young person exploring and coming to terms with their sexuality, before coming out as a lesbian and later marrying her high school girlfriend, Brittany S. Pierce (Heather Morris). Many fans have shared their gratitude for helping them discover and explore their own sexual identities—demonstrating the power of seeing diverse representation on screen.[video_embed id='1994577']Naya Rivera dead at 33, body officially recovered[/video_embed]

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