Five days after Naya Rivera went missing, her body was found on Monday in Southern California’s Lake Piru. Officials said that the autopsy has confirmed her death as an accident. There is no foul play behind her death. Her body was most likely trapped in the vegetation under the lake for several days before floating to the top.
The Ventura County Medical Examiner reported on Tuesday that there are no signs of traumatic injury or disease that might have contributed to the drowning. Also, there was no initial evidence that drugs or alcohol played a role.
Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office released the autopsy’s findings on Tuesday
The manner of her death is registered as an accidental drowning. Rivera’s body was recovered from the northeast portion of Lake Piru that is 50 miles north of Los Angeles. The reports state clear that –
“The circumstances and visual characteristics all indicated that the body was that of Naya Rivera and the identity has been confirmed by dental comparison. The autopsy findings are consistent with a drowning and the condition of the body is consistent with the time that she was submerged.
No traumatic injuries or disease processes were identified at autopsy. There is no indication from the investigation or examination that drugs or alcohol played a role in the decedent’s death, but specimens will be submitted for toxicology testing.”
The attached document was just released by the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office regarding Naya Rivera, whose body was found yesterday in Lake Piru. pic.twitter.com/6APEgrBPaQ
— Ventura County Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) July 14, 2020
Soon after the release of the autopsy result, Rivera’s family released their first statement on Tuesday –
‘We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey and our family over the past week. 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.”
The family referred the late actress as a ‘sassy angel’ and ‘magnetic spirit’ in an interview with the Deadline. –
“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.”
An intense search was started after her son was found asleep alone in a boat in the middle of the lake
The police officials were informed immediately when the 4-year-old Josey was found alone by another boater. Rivera’s lifeguard was found on the boat leaving no trace of her.
On Monday, the search began from the cove where the actress had taken a photograph of Josey. The picture was then sent to a relative 90 minutes before he was found on the boat as reported by -Robert Inglis of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue Team.
Police have not shared the image and it’s unclear which cove it was taken in. Over the weekend, they asked the public not to go looking for the star themselves in the dangerous water.
On account of the appeal made by social media users, officials announced that cabins on the banks of the lake would be searched. But Sgt. Shannon King later told –
‘They’re not occupied. Nothing came of it. There’s no evidence to say she left the water. It appears to be 100 percent just a tragic drowning.’
Body recovered in the search of missing Naya Rivera
The lake itself is 1,200 acres and can reach depths of up to 130 feet. Eric Buschow – Ventura County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said at a press conference Friday evening. –
“With almost zero visibility, human divers were resorting to searching by feel.”
A body was found floating on the surface of the lake Monday and Sheriff Ayub said they were ‘confident’ it was Rivera. He further said –
‘Based on the location where the body was found, physical characteristics of the body, clothing found of the body and the physical condition of the body, as well as the absence of any other persons reported in the area, we are confident the body we found is that of Naya Rivera.
Officials said that Rivera used all her energy to save her son but couldn’t restore to save her own. The boy told investigators that his mother helped him back aboard but when he looked back he saw her disappear into the water.
Rivera’s Glee castmates went to the lake on Monday after authorities recovered a body. They held hands on the shore while waiting for confirmation of the identity of the body
The creators of “Glee” announced Tuesday that they’d be creating a college fund for the boy and remembered Rivera as joyful and immensely talented.
Her family members and friends were spotted as soon as the news reached out. Rivera’s ex-husband Ryan Dorsey also arrived at the lake on Monday with Rivera’s father George. Glee star Jane Lynch was the first to pay her respects as she took to Twitter on Monday morning to write –
‘Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were. Love and peace to your family.’
Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were. Love and peace to your family.
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) July 13, 2020
No coincidence: McHale, 32, said Monteith and Naya Rivera were ‘the male and female versions of one another’
Rivera was found on the seventh anniversary of Naya’s former co-star Cory Monteith’s death. Rivera’s death is known as the latest death in a tragic arc of ‘Glee’ actors.
I'm not religious by any means, but you'd be hard-pressed to convince me that Cory didn't help find our girl today. These 2, in many ways, were the male and female versions of one another. So nice, cared deeply, were stupidly talented, the most fun, and really really good people. https://t.co/qsvThOJxL7
— Kevin McHale (@druidDUDE) July 14, 2020
