Yahoo Finance Glee star Naya Rivera died from drowning, officials say
Updated — July 30, 2020: California officials have confirmed former Glee star Naya Rivera's official cause of death.
People reports that Rivera's death certificate states the actress died from drowning minutes after her accident on Lake Piru earlier this month. No other considerations were attributed to her death.
The tragic news was announced after Rivera's family and friends gathered to lay the star to rest at Los Angles funeral home a few days ago.
Update — July 14, 2020: Former Glee star Naya Rivera's family have released a statement following her death.
A spokesperson for the Ventura County Sheriff's Office announced on Monday (July 13) that a body discovered earlier in the day in Lake Piru had been determined to be the actress.
Subsequently, the Ventura County Medical Examiner released a statement confirming that Rivera died from an accidental drowning.
There has been no indication of foul play or suicide, and the Medical Examiner's statement added that while toxicology testing is due to take place, "there is no indication from the investigation or examination that drugs or alcohol" played a role in Rivera's death.
Rivera's family subsequently said in a statement to Deadline: "We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey and our family over the past week. While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honor her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit. Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter and sister.
Related: Naya Rivera's profound impact on the LGBTQ+ community will not be forgotten
"Thank you to the men and women of the Ventura, Tulare, and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Departments for your commitment and unwavering effort to find Naya. We extend endless gratitude and ovation to the heroine who found her. Thank you to her friends, colleagues, and fans for your continuous support.
"Heaven gained our sassy angel. We kindly request that our privacy be respected during this very difficult time."
The Ventura County Sheriff's Department spokesperson previously said at a press conference Monday afternoon: "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."
Rivera's 4-year-old son was found alone in a pontoon last week. The child later told police that his mother never came back up to the surface after diving into the water during a lake excursion.
Since Rivera went missing, her former Glee co-stars Amber Riley, Heather Morris and Kevin McHale were among those sending supportive messages to Rivera's son and her family on social media. The show's creators have also set up a memorial fund for her son.
Update – Thursday, July 9, 2020: A spokesperson for the Ventura County Sheriff's Office in California has confirmed the search for Glee star Naya Rivera has shifted in scope.
Rivera went missing on Wednesday after arriving at Lake Piru in California. Her 4-year-old son was ultimately found alone in their pontoon.
Rescue efforts were suspended under the cover of darkness on Wednesday night, but a police spokesperson said Thursday it has moved to a "recovery operation".
"Upwards of 100 law enforcement and emergency personnel — including several dive teams from Sheriff's Departments around the region -—are searching the depths of Lake Piru for the body of Naya Rivera who is missing with all indications she drowned in Lake Piru," a sheriff's department spokesperson told NBC News Los Angeles.
"The number of on-scene personnel is about double the number of people who were searching yesterday after Rivera's son was found alone on a boat on the lake, which is about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles."
At a press conference later in the day, Deputy Chris Dye said that his team are "presuming that an accident happened and we're presuming she drowned in the lake", adding that their goal is still to "bring Miss Rivera home to her family".
Original: Glee star Naya Rivera is missing after renting a boat with her four-year-old son.
The 33-year-old actress arrived at Lake Piru in California on Wednesday with her son, and rented a pontoon boat (via Daily Mail).
However, when it wasn't returned staff began searching at 1pm and located the boat with her child inside at 4pm, but couldn't find Rivera.
It's said that both went swimming in the lake but only the child got back on the boat.
A spokesperson for the Venture Country Sheriff's Office said the actress is "presumed drowned".
Captain Eric Buschow told reporters: "They were seen going out on the lake together in the early afternoon, and approximately three hours after they left the dock another boater out on the lake discovered the boat drifting with the [son] on board asleep.
"So they contacted the rangers and began an investigation and we've been actively searching for the mother since that time. We have both aerial search going on and our dive team as well.
"Indications are that we believe she did go in the lake. At this point it's still a search and that's what we know up to this point."
A search and rescue dive team, including a helicopter with a drone, were dispatched to search for her body.
Currently nothing has been located, with the search continuing today, Thursday July 9.
Rivera is best known for her role as Santana Lopez on Glee.
She married actor Ryan Dorsey in 2014, welcoming son Josey the following year.
The couple split a few years later, with their divorce being finalised in 2018.
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