Emotional Reactions As Actress, Naya Rivera Is Confirmed Dead After Her Body Was Recovered From Lake

Police searching for missing Glee star Naya Rivera say a body has been found in a lake in southern California.

The body was found floating in the northeast area of the lake Monday morning.

Rivera, 33, went missing last Wednesday after going boating with her four-year-old son at Lake Piru. He was found alone and asleep in the boat.

Her son told police they had gone swimming but the actress never returned. After a massive search and rescue operation found no trace of Rivera, police moved to a “search and recovery operation”.

One life jacket was found on the boat and the boy was wearing another. Investigators found Rivera’s purse and her identification, but no other clues on the boat.

They said she is believed to have drowned in a “tragic accident”.

Rivera is best known for playing the cheerleader ‘Santana Lopez’ in Glee.

The news of her death has sparked reactions online.

Thank you Naya, for portraying a Latina struggling with her sexuality and being a safe place and inspiration for many young girls dealing with the same struggles including me. I will never forget how much you changed my life. You will forever be missed. We love you #nayariviera pic.twitter.com/zDGdSVn7vT

— Maria Capetillo (@MariaGraceCap_) July 13, 2020

Naya helped so many people come to terms with who they are & for that we are grateful but she was beyond Santana, she was such a beautiful person, voice, soul and her love ran deep. rest in peace to her & all the love to the ones she held close in her heart, & her in theirs. pic.twitter.com/GFJjAiPq8A

— best sapphics in the world (@bestsapphics) July 13, 2020

May your soul rest in peace
I love you Naya ❤ #nayariviera pic.twitter.com/V6TpgN2yBs

— Matthew Peberdy (@MattyPeberdy) July 13, 2020