'Glee' Actress Naya Rivera Missing After Boating Trip Near LA

FILLMORE, CA — Authorities are investigating the disappearance of “Glee” actress Naya Rivera, whom they believe went missing while swimming Wednesday in a Southern California lake.

Rivera, 33, was boating in Lake Piru, about 56 miles northwest of Los Angeles in the town of Fillmore, Wednesday afternoon with her young son, according to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Eric Buschow.

Buschow said at a news conference that Rivera and her son rented a boat around 1 p.m., and three hours later, another boater saw a boat drifting with a child asleep on top. Once authorities were called, the child told them that he had been swimming with this mother, but she never returned.

Buschow said that another adult life vessel was found on the boat.

Air and dive teams began searching the lake, which is up to 40 feet deep. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department said in a tweet that they searched throughout Wednesday until it became too dark, and that the search would continue Thursday morning at “first light.”

“We hope for the best, we prepare for the worst,” Deputy Chris Dyer said in a Thursday morning news conference.

Dyer confirmed that the child is presently healthy and safe.

The search for Naya Rivera will continue this morning at Lake Piru. The lake will be closed to the public while search operations continue. Dive teams from throughout the region will be assisting us through mutual aid. @VCAirUnit @Cal_OES @fillmoresheriff pic.twitter.com/q6LsHd8xaT
— Ventura Co. Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) July 9, 2020

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 were tragically cut short. 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