The country was praying for Naya Rivera and her family as authorities searched the waters of Lake Piru in California for 5 days after the Glee actress disappeared while out boating with her 4-year-old son.
Naya was reported missing after an boating outing with her son Josey Dorsey on Lake Piru in California. The actress rented a boat for a few hours on the lake. When the boat was not returned, that marina crew went out looking for the pontoon boat and found it with Naya’s 4-year-old son alone in his lifejacket. The actress was nowhere to be found.
[RELATED:Ventura County Sheriff Reveals “Glee” Star Naya Rivera’s Body Found in Lake Piru]
On Monday, July 13, the Ventura County Sheriff’s department held a press conference to announce that the body found in the lake was that of the Naya.
“Today our search teams have recovered a body in the lake,” the Sheriff said. “Based on the location where 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 missing in the area, we are confident the body we found is that of Naya Rivera.”
[RELATED: Dive Teams in California Continue to Search for “Glee” Star Naya Rivera]
Fans and friends were devastated by the news and used social media to send condolences and remember the actress for the life she lived.
Jaden Michaels
“A little piece of @NayaRivera my hearts broken over this whole thing. I’m so thankful to have known her and to be apart of writing little parts of her story with music with her, here’s one of my favorite ones we wrote that never got released. remembering you!
A little piece of @NayaRivera 🖤 my hearts broken over this whole thing. I’m so thankful to have known her and to be apart of writing little parts of her story with music with her, here’s one of my favorite ones we wrote that never got released. remembering you! pic.twitter.com/QSqT9EmifP
— Jaden Michaels (@JadenMichaels) July 13, 2020
Jennifer Love Hewitt
” just can’t take it. Heartbroken for her baby boy. My heart goes out to her and her family”
View this post on InstagramI just can’t take it. Heartbroken for her baby boy. My heart goes out to her and her family.
A post shared by Jennifer Love Hewitt (@jenniferlovehewitt) on
Joaquin Sedillo
“3 years ago tonight, Naya and I sat in a bar in Atlanta, and we raised our martini glasses to @CoryMonteith We told stories. We laughed. …and we cried. Tonight I raised a martini glass to Naya and to Cory. I cherish adore both. Watch over me. I will miss you forever.”
[Naya’s body was found three years to the day that “Glee” co-star Cory Monteith died]
3 years ago tonight, Naya and I sat in a bar in Atlanta, and we raised our martini glasses to @CoryMonteith We told stories. We laughed. …and we cried. Tonight I raised a martini glass to Naya and to Cory. I cherish adore both. Watch over me. I will miss you forever.
— Joaquin Sedillo (@JOAQUINSEDILLO) July 14, 2020
Kristen Chenoweth
“Thank you for what you gave the world. I love you.”
Thank you for what you gave the world. I love you. pic.twitter.com/CFNmwgtSva
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) July 13, 2020
Ross Mathews
“I only got to meet #NayaRivera a few times, but each time she looked me right in the eye, was fully present and laughed whole-heartedly. I adored her. I’m heartbroken for her family. Let’s all send them love.”
I only got to meet #NayaRivera a few times, but each time she looked me right in the eye, was fully present and laughed whole-heartedly. I adored her. I’m heartbroken for her family. Let’s all send them love. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WHyson17el
— Ross Mathews (@helloross) July 13, 2020
Harry Shum Jr
— Harry Shum Jr (@HarryShumJr) July 14, 2020
Chris Colfer
“How can you convey all your love and respect for someone in one post? How can you summarize a decade of friendship and laughter with words alone? If you were friends with Naya Rivera, you simply can’t. Her brilliance and humor were unmatched. Her beauty and talent were otherworldly. She spoke truth to power with poise and fearlessness. She could turn a bad day into a great day with a single remark. She inspired and uplifted people without even trying. Being close to her was both a badge of honor and a suit of armor. Naya was truly one of a kind, and she always will be. Sending all my love to her wonderful family and her beautiful son.”
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Chris Colfer (@chriscolfer) on
Jenna Ushkowitz
“here 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.”
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Jenna Ushkowitz (@jennaushkowitz) on
Melissa Fumero
“I am so heartbroken for #NayaRivera’s family and friends. Sending them all, especially her little boy, so much love and strength.”
I am so heartbroken for #NayaRivera’s family and friends. Sending them all, especially her little boy, so much love and strength. ❤️🙏🏽
— Melissa Fumero (@melissafumero) July 14, 2020
Rose McGowan
“My heart goes out to Naya Rivera’s son, family & friends. Such a talented performer. Fly free, beautiful one. I’m so sorry you didn’t get to live. #NayaRivera“
My heart goes out to Naya Rivera’s son, family & friends. Such a talented performer. Fly free, beautiful one. I’m so sorry you didn’t get to live. #NayaRivera https://t.co/UJjA3g6ptM
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) July 13, 2020
Patricia Arquette
“#NayaRivera This is so horribly sad. She was such a talent . My heart is broken for her son and her mom.”
#NayaRivera This is so horribly sad. She was such a talent . My heart is broken for her son and her mom.
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) July 13, 2020
Demi Lovato
“RIP Naya Rivera. I’ll forever cherish the opportunity to play your girlfriend on Glee. The character you played was groundbreaking for tons of closeted queer girls (like me at the time) and open queer girls, and your ambition and accomplishments were inspiring to Latina women all over the world. My heart goes out to your loved ones at this time.. ❤️🕊”
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Kathy Griffin
“I had the opportunity to work with the one and only #nayarivera. So much talent. Deeply saddened and touched. Please, let her have peace, Lord.”
I had the opportunity to work with the one and only #nayarivera. So much talent. Deeply saddened and touched. Please, let her have peace, Lord. 💔💔💔
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) July 13, 2020