ABOVE: Naya Rivera, photo via Rivera’s Facebook page.
After going missing July 8, the body of actor and former “Glee” star Naya Rivera was found and identified by authorities in a California lake, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Rivera and her 4-year-old son rented a pontoon boat on July 8 at the California reservoir Lake Piru. Her son later recounted to rescuers that he and Rivera had gone swimming in the lake, though Rivera never managed to return to the boat. Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub also shared that Rivera’s son told investigators that after getting back on the boat, he looked back to see his mother disappear beneath the surface of the water.
According to Ayub, Rivera most likely used the last bit of strength she had to get her son to safety.
just the two of us pic.twitter.com/wCunAlGJ1B
— Naya Rivera (@NayaRivera) July 7, 2020
“She mustered enough energy to get her son back onto the boat, but not enough to save herself,” Ayub said.
Rivera’s son was later found asleep on the boat after it became overdue for its return.
The 33-year-old actor’s body “was found floating in the northeast area of the lake where the water is between 35 and 60 feet deep.” Though investigators are fairly certain that the body found is Rivera’s, the body will be taken to the Ventura County Coroner’s Office to be identified through dental records.
Rivera became a household name for her breakout role in the Fox musical dramedy series “Glee,” which was co-created by Ryan Murphy. The show ran for six seasons from May 2009 to March 2015. Rivera portrayed the role of lesbian cheerleader Santana Lopez. Santana’s discovery of her sexuality in the series and subsequent relationship with character Brittany Pierce, played by Heather Morris, formed part of the cornerstone of “Glee’s” queer representation.
Fans online reminisced on the impact that Rivera’s role on the show had for LGBTQ+ media representation.
i can not handle the fact that we never see heather morris and naya rivera together again pic.twitter.com/zZYG8iqnjX
— ✮~ ~✰ (@debnam_mcgrath) July 14, 2020
Naya Rivera has always expressed the importance of lgbt representation, she was the one that encouraged rib to develop the brittana storyline and to make santana a canon lesbian character relatable to all the young queer girls of the world. Thank you naya pic.twitter.com/1AkRrSFlty
— ste ミ☆ (@qvinnrach) July 14, 2020
Glee’s lgbt representation was what made me accept myself. Naya Rivera did what years of self assurance couldn’t, and i probably wouldn’t have been out and proud if it wasn’t for her.
rest in peace angel, you used the last of your strengths to save your son. #RIPNayaRivera pic.twitter.com/9IuDC9W3EI— aj ️ (@crackanksha) July 14, 2020
Rivera won three ALMA awards for her portrayal of Santana: one in 2011 for Favorite Female Music Artist and two in 2012 for Favorite Female Music Artist and Favorite TV Actress (Leading Role In A Comedy). The ALMA awards serve to highlight prominent contributions to the entertainment industry made by Latinx-American artists.
Rivera recently had a recurring role on the YouTube RED series “Step Up: High Water,” a television adaptation of the dance-centric film franchise.
