The story surrounding Naya Rivera's disappearance has broken the hearts of many. The 33-year-old actress is presumed dead after two days of authorities searching for her in California's Lake Piru.
Naya rented a boat at the lake for a day out with her 4-year-old son, Josey. An employee went out searching for the boat after it hadn't returned three hours past the rental time. Josey was found asleep on the boat. When the little boy was asked where his mom was, he reportedly said that they went swimming, but she never got back on the boat.
Authorities have made it clear that at this point in the search, it is a recovery mission, not a rescue mission. They have looked for evidence that Naya made it out of the water but have come up short thus far. Sadly, Naya's death wouldn't be the first in the dangerous waters of the human-made lake. Locals have urged for clearer safety warnings at the location, which has seen several deaths in past years.
Police have released footage of Naya and Josey renting and boarding the boat. From the looks of it, she seems like a mom who was ready to enjoy a day out with her son, which makes this terrible situation all the more heartbreaking.
The search for Naya Rivera has shifted from a rescue mission to a recovery mission, authorities revealed Thursday. A news conference updating the world on the search of the missing 33-year-old explained that she is presumed to have drowned. They believe a tragic accident has taken her life.
Naya was reported missing Thursday after renting a pontoon boat on Lake Piru in Ventura County, California, with her 4-year-old son Josey. They rented the boat for three hours, but it hadn't been returned after it was due back. Josey was discovered on the boat alone, sleeping in a life jacket. An adult-sized life jacket was also on board.
Authorities who spoke with Josey say the 4-year-old gave enough information to indicate that his mom never made it back on the boat after they went swimming together. It is unclear if a current or undertow on the reservoir may have swept her away or if a medical episode occurred. Investigators have found no additional information indicating that Naya made it to shore elsewhere.
First responders have searched the "shoreline for any clues whatsoever, any personal items, any footprints, anything that would indicate that she made it out of the water and because of the absence of those clues, that is why the focus of the search right now is in the water," explained Ventura County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Kevin Donoghue.
Her personal belongings, including a purse and ID, were found on the boat. Police also believe the life jacket was the one rented to Naya and not a spare on the boat.
"We don't know if that just meant it was hers or if that was an extra life vest on the boat. But seemingly, if she was somehow incapacitated and she had a life jacket, we would find her floating. Clearly, she is not."
Upon the news breaking, many fans were concerned that foul play may have occurred. They questioned if Naya had been followed and used the boat as a way to get away from someone.
Those questions were cleared up by footage released by police, which shows Naya arriving at the lake with Josey. She gets out of her car and gets Josey out. The two carry bags to the rental area before getting on the pontoon boat. The boat was found between one and a half and two miles away from where it was docked when Naya and Josey got on board.
Authorities have ensured they are working the case from all possible angles, though they've discovered no evidence of foul play.
"We have detectives who are investigating that aspect as well. Checking her credit card statements making sure there are no charges anywhere. But based on the information we have so far, we are fairly confident the focus of our search being in the water," they asserted.
"We hate responding to these calls because they are just sad stories … we are searching so we can bring closure to the family and bring peace to the family, but until then, it is terrible. It is tragic," the sergeant added.
"We want to bring closure for the family, so we really are putting our best effort forward."
The search will continue Friday, but there are no guarantees they will be able to recover Naya's body from the water.
"It is a large area under the water. Water visibility being what it is, we will continue the search," he explained.
"The decision to end the search will be really formulated when we are confident we have done everything we can do to search as much as we can search, but we are not there yet."
"There's a lot of trees and plants and such that are under the water that can cause entanglement. Makes it unsafe for divers and a complicated search," they elaborated.
"If the body is entangled in something underneath the water it may never come up. We don't know."
Naya's death would be the ninth at Lake Piru since 1994. The strong currents and debris at the bottom of the lake have made it difficult terrain for swimmers. Reportedly, one of those nine deaths was of someone wearing a life jacket while entering the waters.
Josey has been reported to be "in good health." The Daily Mail spotted the 4-year-old with his father, Naya's ex-husband Ryan Dorsey. The two have had joint custody of Josey since their divorce was finalized in 2018.
Sources close to Naya's family say everyone is in disbelief at what has happened. "Nobody has heard anything," the source told People magazine.
"Everybody is in a wait-and-see pattern and trying to figure out exactly what happened."
Contrary to initial reports that speculated Naya had taken her own life, those closest to her all indicate she was looking forward to the future. "She seemed happy, busy … just kind of living life," the source, who last saw her weeks ago, noted.
Everyone closest to Naya agrees that being a good mom to Josey has been Naya's focus in recent years.
"Back in the day, her life was all about her career. It was all about acting, singing, using her platform for equal rights, empowerment, anti-bullying – I think her priorities have shifted," they said.
"Her working less isn't because she doesn't want to work, but she's a mom. Her son comes first. That's apparent in everything she's posted and done. Everything is about her son."
No official statements have been made by the Rivera family or Ryan Dorsey about this tragic incident. Former costars — including Heather Morris, Jackée Harry, and Demi Lovato — have sent prayers for her safety. Everyone is hoping for a miracle in this senseless tragedy.
