Everything We Know About Naya Rivera’s Tragic Death

LATER THAT DAY, RIVERA DISAPPEARED.

The Devious Maids actress took her son out for a day on the water, but she disappeared after they seemingly went for a swim. Authorities told In Touch Josey was discovered alone three hours after Rivera rented the boat. He said that he and his mother were swimming in the water, but she never returned to the boat.

THE SEARCH BEGAN SOON AFTER.

“Helicopters immediately flew out with the dive team and put divers in the water where she was last seen,” Buschow told In Touch. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office reported on Twitter at 6:30 p.m. that night they were searching for a “possible drowning victim.” Later that night, they announced the missing person was identified as Rivera and shared the search would be suspended until “first light.”

THE LAKE WAS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DURING THE SEARCH.

Around dawn on Thursday, July 9, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Twitter that the area would be closed to the public as they continued their search with the assistance of “dive teams from throughout the region.” Later that morning, they reported over 80 people were involved in the search and were using helicopters, boats, ATV vehicles and ground personnel to try and locate Rivera.

THE RESCUE MISSION BECAME A RECOVERY MISSION.

Buschow told In Touch on the 9th that “investigators believe Rivera drowned in what appears to be a tragic accident.” They were still working to recover her body, but the conditions on the lake lead them to believe that Rivera is no longer alive. Deputy Sheriff Chris Dyer told In Touch “the wind kicks up and it can get choppy” on the water in the afternoons at Lake Piru. He also explained the shoreline where the boat as found can be treacherous. “It’s not like you can just get out and walk up that shoreline,” he explained.

LAKE PIRU CAN BE A DANGEROUS AREA IN GENERAL.

“People drown in California lakes every year,” Buschow told In Touch. “These big reservoirs, there is a lot that goes on. There are plenty of currents.” Steve White, a former Ventura State Beach lifeguard supervisor, told the Los Angeles Times that large waves and rip currents can quickly become deadly, especially when someone caught in them begins to panic.

RIVERA WAS A FREQUENT VISITOR AT LAKE PIRU.

Despite the potential danger the water posed, Rivera was “familiar” with the area. Dyer said during a press conference on July 9 that the singer had been visiting the area “for years” prior to her disappearance. “This might be a little sanctuary for her, especially on a Wednesday — no one’s here on a Wednesday so it’s a good day to come,” he explained.

RIVERA LIKELY WASN’T WEARING A LIFE VEST.

Josey was wearing his life vest when he was found, but an adult size life vest was also discovered on the boat, Buschow told In Touch. Authorities believe the life jacket was given to Rivera when she rented the boat, but she went swimming without it.

LAKE PIRU IS “EXTREMELY DIFFICULT” TO SEARCH.

In the press conference, Dyer also explained the obstacles the dive team is facing when it comes to searching the lake. The depth of the water can range from “40 feet to 5 feet” and, even in the daytime, visibility in the water is only about “8 to 10 inches.”

DIVERS ARE SEARCHING BY TOUCH RATHER THAN SIGHT.

“[There are] a lot of tree branches and overgrowth from when the lake was lower, so we’re … breaking through sticks and searching a heavy brush bottom,” a diver explained during a press conference on July 9. “Under the water, [we’re searching] a lot by feel. Again, there’s a lot of shrubbery and sticks that we have to break through. … It’s kind of a ‘braille’ search.”

RIVERA’S BODY “MAY NEVER” RESURFACE.

Authorities claim it typically takes at least a week for drowning victims’ bodies to resurface, but Sergeant Kevin Donoghue of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said during a July 9 press conference that it’s possible Rivera’s body won’t. “If the body is entangled in something beneath the water, it may never come back up,” he explained. “We don’t know.”

SPOTTED FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Dosey held Josey in his arms while exiting Rivera’s sister Nickayla Rivera‘s home in Valencia, California, on July 9. Rivera and Dorsey share joint custody of their son following their divorce in 2018.

RIVERA’S FAMILY IS “DEVASTATED” BY HER DISAPPEARANCE.

“Her family feels like they’re living in a bad dream,” an insider told In Touch. “They’re all still in disbelief. … Everyone is heartbroken over what is surely the loss of Naya and for what Josey must have endured. That little boy worshipped his mom, he loved her so much. … The thought of him waiting for his mom to get back into the boat, or what he may have witnessed is simply terrifying. Josey is still asking for his mommy.”

AUTHORITIES ARE USING SONAR EQUIPMENT TO SEARCH FOR RIVERA.

“Today’s search at Lake Piru involves the use of sophisticated sonar equipment in the effort to locate Naya Rivera,” the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office announced on Twitter on Friday, July 10. Sonar equipment will use sound waves to help locate Rivera’s body underwater.

THE RIVERA FAMILY JOINS THE SEARCH.

Rivera’s mother, Yolanda Rivera, and brother, Mychal Rivera, were spotted on a dock at Lake Piru on July 11. They helped the recovery effort on day 4 of the search.

A DESPERATE FATHER.

In photos obtained by The Mirror, Rivera’s father, George Rivera, was spotted swimming in Lake Piru, seemingly in an attempt to find his daughter’s body.

‘GLEE’ COSTAR HEATHER MORRIS ASKS TO JOIN THE SEARCH.

Rivera’s former Glee costar Heather Morris asked the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department if she could join the search and recovery efforts on July 11. “I’m trying to conduct an on-foot search and rescue mission along with a small group of friends at Lake Piru,” Morris, 33, wrote via Twitter. “I understand your team is doing EVERYTHING in their power, but we are feeling helpless, powerless and want to help in any way. I have left a message with the Department of Rescue and Air today, and I will call again tomorrow. Thank you.”

A TELLING TEXT MESSAGE.

Officials said Rivera sent a photo of her son to a family member in front of a cove 90 minutes to two hours before he was found alone on the boat.

SEARCHING ON LAND.

“In today’s search for Naya Rivera, cabins and outbuildings in the surrounding area will be checked once again, as well as the shoreline,” the Ventura County Sheriff’s office tweeted on July 12. “This has been part of the ongoing search effort since her disappearance on Wednesday afternoon. Boat crews continue to scan the lake.”

FANS JOIN IN.

That same day, the Sheriff’s office tweeted again, warning the public of conducting their own searches. “For those intent on searching for Naya Rivera on your own, 1. The lake is closed. 2. Temps are already in the 90’s. 3. The terrain around the lake is very steep and rugged,” the post read. “Our teams are well equipped and highly trained. We don’t want to have to rescue you.” The operation will resume in the morning on Monday, July 13.

A BODY WAS FOUND AT LAKE PIRU.

“Happening now: A body has been found at Lake Piru this morning,” the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office tweeted on Monday, July 13. “The recovery is in progress. A news conference will take place at 2 p.m. at the lake.”

Authorities are “confident” the body is Rivera.

Investigators were able to identify the body based on its clothing and condition, the area where it was found and the fact that no other missing persons had been reported in the area.

Officials Revealed More Details About Her Death.

There was no indication of foul play, according to investigators. Rivera’s body was discovered near the surface of the water in the north-eastern portion of the lake. 

Rivera Was a Hero in Her Final Moments.

Officials speculate currents caused the boat to start drifting that afternoon because it was unanchored. Rivera seemingly “mustered enough energy to get her son back onto the boat, but not enough to save herself.”

Josey’s Account of What Happened Offered Further Insight.

“[Rivera] boosted him onto the deck from behind,” said Sheriff Bill Ayub from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. “[Josey] told investigators he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water.”

An autopsy confirmed her accidental drowning.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s office used dental records to confirm the body recovered from Lake Piru was Naya Rivera. The autopsy findings were “consistent with a drowning” and determined that the actress’ death was an accident.

Her Loved Ones Released an Emotional Statement.

The actress’ family thanked fans for the “outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey and our family over the past week,” in a statement given to Deadline by Rivera’s manager Gladys Gonzalez on July 14. “While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honor her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit. Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter and sister.”

“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,” they added. “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.”

Ryan Breaks His Silence

On July 25, Rivera’s ex-husband released a statement about her death. “This is so unfair. There’s not enough words to express the hole left in everyone’s hearts,” Dorsey began his lengthy statement on Instagram. “I can’t believe this is life now. I don’t know if I’ll ever believe it. You were just here … We were just in the back swimming with Josey the day before. Life just isn’t fair. I don’t know what to say.”

The actor reflected on their wonderful memories together. “I’m thankful for our times and our journey that brought us together and gave us the sweetest and kindest smart little boy we could ever hope for,” he continued. “I remember sometimes you used to get annoyed at me: ‘Ryan, can you stop Snapchatting!’ Haha. I’m glad I didn’t listen to you because I have hundreds and probably thousands of snaps and videos that Josey will have forever and know his momma loved him more than life and how much fun we had together as he was growing up.”

An Emotional Step

Rivera’s death certificate, obtained by Life & Style, confirmed her body was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills on July 24. Other stars who have been laid to rest in the iconic graveyard include Nipsey Hussle and Paul Walker.