The outpouring of love for Naya Rivera shows just how much the actress meant to so many.
The search for Naya is heading into its sixth day. On Wednesday, the 33-year-old and her 4-year-old son, Josey, set out on a pontoon boat. Hours later, Josey was found alone and asleep on the boat. His testimony indicated that Naya got into the water but didn't get back out.
As these shows of support continue to be shared, Naya's family visited Lake Piru in Ventura County, California, this weekend. On Saturday, her mother and brother were seen at the lake. TMZ shared a heart-wrenching photo of Naya's mother on the dock on her knees. Her arms are stretched outward toward the water. Later family members boarded a boat to join in the search.
Naya's ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, visited the lake as well. He was seen in the water. Later, he moved to sit by himself on the sidelines, watching the search. The pain of those closest to her is palpable as they hope for a miracle.
This weekend, Naya Rivera's loved ones visited the place the 33-year-old actress was last seen. Naya rented a boat at Lake Piru with her 4-year-old son, Josey, on Wednesday. Hours after the rental was due back, Josey was found sleeping alone on the boat. Authorities haven't been specific as to what Josey told them, but said it was enough to determine Naya got in the water and never made it out.
On Saturday, Naya's mother, Yolanda Rivera, and her brother, Mychal Rivera, visited Lake Piru to assist in the search. The close-knit family has been devastated by this tragedy, but they continue to pray for a miracle. Yolanda was seen on her knees on the dock with her arms outstretched to the water. It's clear she was looking to feel a connection to her daughter.
Later in the day, Naya's father, George Rivera, joined his wife and son. Naya also has a younger sister, Nickayla, who was not been seen at the scene.
George beelined to the water upon his arrival, according to TMZ. He ran into the water until he was knee-deep. Then he splashed his face with water from the lake. It was clearly an emotional moment.
Naya's ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, was also at Lake Piru on Saturday. He and Naya split years back, with their divorce being finalized in 2018. He and Naya have shared joint custody of Josey since the divorce. He was clearly overcome with emotion as he sat and watched the search.
Naya's Glee costar, Heather Morris, has reportedly been in constant contact with her family. She also explained why authorities have discouraged volunteers from joining their search efforts.
"I have spoken to Sheriff Eric Buschow and rest assured they are using every single one of their resources to locate our Naya. I have full confidence that they're doing everything they can, and probably more," she tweeted.
"We will hold off on the citizen search and rescue until we get the go-ahead that they'll allow volunteers. Understand it's 110 degrees here and if you're not highly trained in search and rescue, this could end up a much more dangerous situation for everybody involved. Please be kind, compassionate and caring for those who are looking for our Naya," she added.
Tahj Mowry, who had an on-and-off relationship with Naya that spanned a decade and is very close to her family, also has shared well-wishes for the Riveras. His tribute to Naya was heartbreaking and beautiful.
"My sweet Naya – to say that I am devastated would be an understatement. This is a nightmare. Everyday gets harder. However, I am holding onto hope that you will be found," he wrote.
"We grew up together. We became adults together. We experienced so many firsts together. You were my first experience with everything; love, intimacy, heartbreak. We broke each others hearts and then mended them back together…more than once. I will never not think of you. No woman has ever measured up what you gave me or how you made me feel. I've never liked to admit it but I have never stopped loving you. A part of me always wished for the day where God would bring us back together to be what we dreamt we could have been."
"I pray deeply for the Rivera family and that God blankets them with strength, peace, and love right now. Mychal and Nickayla – you will always be like younger siblings to me and I love you dearly. I watched you two grow up into beautiful adults. George and Yolanda – whatever you need I am here for you. We are forever family and I love you," he continued.
"I ask everyone reading this to please lift up, along with the entire Rivera family, Ryan and Josey in prayer and to respect what they are going through during this time. I pray that God showers the entire family with strength and peace that only He can give. I still have faith. I still have hope. Let's please all pray that she is found and brought home safely."
"Naya, I miss you deeply. I wish I got the chance to tell you that once more but I'm believing I will get that chance. I know deep down you've always known how I felt. I look forward to the day where I can see your beautiful face once more and tell you everything I've wanted to say that I didn't get the chance to say. I love you forever. I always have and I always will. "
Authorities got a hint as to the timeline and location on the lake where Naya may have disappeared. She took a photo of Josey near a cove, which she sent to relatives roughly an hour and a half before Josey was found on the boat sleeping.
"There was a picture sent to a family member that showed the boy on the boat by a cove," Robert Inglis of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team told Us Weekly. "We found where that cove was."
"We did send our dive members to those two locations and searched those extensively," he continued.
He also explained that in many cases, the lake would be more populated and witnesses would be able to help narrow the search area. That is not the case in the search for Naya, however, as the lake was relatively quiet that day.
"In this case, it really could be the whole lake. There are a lot of coves that have to be searched."
The search is set to resume Monday, but outside agencies have already scaled back their presence. The Ventura County Sheriff's office will continue working the search with experts until at least Tuesday by current indications.
"We are confident that we will locate her body," Robert said.
Authorities have also expanded the search to nearby cabins due to public pressure. Some believe that Naya may have gotten to shore but may be unconscious or injured. There has also been speculation of kidnapping, although investigators have found no evidence to support that theory.
"As you get more north in the lake, there are steep hills and it's covered with brush with bigger rocks," Robert explained of the area near the cabins.
"It would be very difficult to maneuver through that especially if you're just wearing maybe a bathing suit."
