'Glee' Actress Naya Rivera Presumed Dead, Authorities Say

FILLMORE, CA — “Glee” actress Naya Rivera is presumed dead after disappearing at Lake Piru according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

“We’re presuming that an accident happened and we’re presuming she drowned in the lake,” said Deputy Chris Dyer at a Thursday news conference. Dyer said that the search and rescue mission has now shifted to a recovery operation.

“The goal is still to bring Miss Rivera home to her family,” he said.

Rivera, 33, was reported missing Wednesday evening after renting a pontoon boat with her 4-year-old son. Around 4 p.m., her son was found sleeping on top of the boat next to Rivera’s life jacket, purse, and identification. The child told authorities that he had been swimming with his mother, but she never returned.

The search team eventually swelled to 100 personnel, including specialized diving units, helicopters, boats, ATV vehicles and ground personnel, according to a Ventura County Sheriff’s tweet.

The search, complicated by winds, lack of light, and low visibility underwater, lasted Wednesday night and throughout Thursday. Ventura County Sheriff Sgt. Kevin Donoghue said that the lake is about 30 feet deep and full of plants and debris.

“If the body is tangled in something beneath the water, it may never come back up,” Donoghue said.

Personnel continue to search for the body near the north side of the lake, where the boat was found.

“Right now, it’s been 24 hours, so we’re not thinking she made it to shore,” Ventura County Senior Sheriff’s Deputy Miguel Gonzalez said Friday morning. “We’re concentrating underwater.”

Lake Piru, a popular recreation area, will remain closed until Rivera’s body is found.

Donaghue said in a Thursday statement that Rivera’s son is “doing as well as can be expected.”

Rivera, a Santa Clarita, Calif. native, played high school cheerleader Santana Lopez on the hit Fox show "Glee" from 2009 to 2015. She is also known for playing Hillary Winston on the CBS sitcom "The Royal Family," a role that she started when she was four years old.

Jackée Harry, who starred alongside a young Rivera on "The Royal Family," tweeted, "Please God, don't cut this life short."

"Glee" co-star Harry Shum, Jr., who played Mike Chang, tweeted "Praying", while Iqbal Theba, who played Principal Abigail Figgins Gunderson, tweeted, "Oh God…mercy…please."

The lives of two of Rivera's "Glee" co-stars ended prematurely. In 2013, Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson, died from a heroin and alcohol overdose. In 2018, Mark Salling, who played Noah "Puck" Puckerman, died from what is believed to be suicide.

Just last week, Rivera tweeted, "Everyday you're alive is a blessing. Make the most today and every day you are given. Tomorrow is not promised."

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