The body of former Glee star Naya Rivera has been found after she disappeared on Wednesday from Lake Piru in Ventura County, California, while boating with her son, Josey.
After a six-day search, authorities said there was no indication her death involved foul play, and no indication it was a suicide.
Sheriff Bill Ayub told reporters on Monday evening:
We know from speaking with her son that he and Naya swam in the lake together at some point during their journey. It was during that time that her son described being helped into the boat by Naya who boosted him onto the deck from behind.
He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water.
When news of Rivera’s disappearance circulated on social media, many noticed her last and final Instagram post was a touching selfie with her son.
In the photo, Rivera and her son share a sweet kiss under the caption “just the two of us”:
People began sharing the Instagram post during her disappearance and subsequent confirmation of her tragic death as a tribute to the actor:
as i go through naya’s instagram posts i’m speechless at the fact that a life can be taken away at any given moment… https://t.co/CNa42zaFxr— ً (@ً) 1594699646
Naya loves her son more than anything and her last post on both Twitter and Instagram was her and her son. https://t.co/nFZ4rcbljo— leah (@leah) 1594349743
Rivera starred as Santana Lopez on the TV show, Glee.
After the announcement of her death, co-stars took to social media to express their sadness and regret over the incident.
Darren Criss – who played Blaine Anderson – tweeted:
She was bold. She was outrageous. She was a LOT of fun. Naya made me laugh like no one else on that set. I always… https://t.co/acUkklKzet— Darren Criss (@Darren Criss) 1594686060
Jane Lynch tweeted:
Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were. Love and peace to your family.— Jane Lynch (@Jane Lynch) 1594661000
Kevin McHale shared a photo with his co-star:
My Naya, my Snixxx, my Bee. I legitimately can not imagine this world without you. https://t.co/qX9t1Uhx01— Kevin McHale (@Kevin McHale) 1594686927
While Jenna Ushkowitz shared a sweet photo of the pair on Instagram:
And Chris Colfer her “otherworldly” beauty and talent:
Rest in peace, Naya Rivera.