Naya Rivera, 33, is believed to have accidentally drowned, last week, during a boat trip, officials have now said. US officials on Monday found her body in Californian lake. According to reports, the Glee actress rented a boat with her four-year-old son at the camping and recreational hotspot near Los Angeles, but her son Josey Hollis Dorsey was found in a boat alone, last week as per reports.
Rivera went missing on Wednesday last week. Ventura County officials found a body in Lake Piru on Monday which was later identified as Rivera's. After the boy was found on the boat alone, he was still in shock but told authorities that he and his mom went swimming. The last thing he remembers was his mom helping him get back on the deck of their rented boat before disappearing under the water, authorities said. She was not wearing a life vest.
“She must have mustered enough energy to get her son back on the boat, but not enough to save herself,” Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said at a news conference, The Indian Express reported.
What You Should Know
- Glee star Naya Rivera's body was found in the Californian lake on Monday.
- Her four-year-old son was found in a boat alone on the lake where they went swimming.
- Officials believe that Rivera had helped her son get back on the boat before drowning.
After the initial examination, the Sheriff has confirmed that it is, indeed, a case of drowning. "We are confident the body we found is that of Naya Rivera," he said based on the clothing and condition of the body. It is now believed that Rivera had helped Dorsey get back into the boat before "he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water," said the Sheriff.
Bill Ayub also pointed out the fact that the lake has strong currents and it could be a possible cause of a fatal accident. "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," he said.
The day before her death, Rivera took to her Instagram account to post a photo with Josey that read, “just the two of us.”
Rivera's career so far
Rivera was best known for her role as cheerleader-turned-singer, Santana Lopez in Fox's famous show Glee. Born in Santa Clarita, California, as a child artist, Rivera appeared in many commercials but landed her first acting job at age four. She also appeared in series like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Matters, Baywatch, Smart Guy, and other popular shows in the 1990s. In the 2000s, she would appear in music videos (B2K's "Why I Love You") and land bigger roles in shows like The Bernie Mac Show, and CSI: Miami. She started venturing into music with a production of the stage play U Don't Know Me: The Musical, which went on a national tour. Rivera also auditioned for American Idol.
She bagged the high schooler's role in Glee in 2009 which went on till 2015. In 2011, she signed to Columbia Records to begin her solo singing career. Rivera married actor Ryan Dorsey and a year later Josey was born. Sadly, Rivera and Ryan divorced in 2018.
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Being a mom was her priority
After the divorce, Rivera started her own ventures, including a kids' clothing line for her son. Earlier, she had told People, “First and foremost, everything I do is for Josey. He’s at the best age! He’s talking so much and so cool, kind and sweet,” Rivera explained. “Josey inspires me in so many ways that it felt natural to want to create this for him and I. Starting this company from the ground up is something I’m really, really proud of. I know that my son is proud of it too. It’s a sweet bond that we share together.”
RIP Naya Rivera!
Feature Image Credit: The Indian Express
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