Underwater Footage from Naya Rivera Search Released: She Could Be Found in '5 Minutes' or '5 Days'
"Unfortunately, they did not locate Naya Rivera. They are still searching," Ventura County Sheriff's Office Captain Eric Buschow told reporters FridayAuthorities searching for the missing Glee star released footage late Friday to show just what they are up against as they comb the lake's floor.
The power of prayer. Naya Rivera‘s body was recovered as her former Glee costars gathered at Lake Piru on Monday, July 13.
Naya Rivera Through the Years: 'Glee,' Motherhood and More
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“I don’t know who is who in the cast, but there were 12 to 15 people,” Captain Eric Buschow, spokesperson for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, told Us Weekly exclusively on Tuesday, July 14, one day after Rivera was pronounced dead at age 33. “They were down there by the edge of the lake and prayed for about a half hour. … I did not go down there and stand with them, so I don’t know what they did or said other than they had expressed a desire to go down there and have a prayer.”
Naya Rivera's 'Glee' co-star Heather Morris is offering a foot search and rescue mission for the missing actress
Heather Morris and Naya Rivera's characters got married on "Glee." On Sunday, Morris offered to help authorities search for missing Rivera.According to investigators and the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, Rivera rented a boat Wednesday afternoon at Lake Piru, located in Los Padres National Forest in Ventura County, California. Rivera was with her 4-year-old son, Josey Hollis, who was found in the boat asleep and wearing a life jacket later on Wednesday.
ABC7 Eyewitness News captured the heartbreaking moment on Monday when the actress’ loved ones and former colleagues held hands while looking out at the lake in Ventura County. A source confirmed to Us at the time that Amber Riley was among those paying tribute alongside Rivera’s family members. Heather Morris, who previously asked to join the search and rescue mission, was also spotted in photos obtained by the Daily Mail.
“As they were praying, we got a call that the body was discovered on the surface of the lake,” Buschow added. “We didn’t tell them because anytime we — in the case of a death, we don’t want people to find out from other sources or from the media. We want the family to be notified officially. We don’t want them to learn about it on the news.”
Naya Rivera 'Mustered Enough Energy' to Get Son on Boat but 'Not Enough to Save Herself': Police
Naya Rivera's 4-year-old son Josey "told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water," Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub told reportersOn Monday, the former Glee star's body was found five days after she went missing during a boating trip at Lake Piru in Ventura County, California, with her 4-year-old son, Josey, whom she shares with ex-husband Ryan Dorsey.
Stars Pay Tribute to Naya Rivera: Tia Mowrey, Ne-Yo and More
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The California native was reported missing on July 8 after spending a day on a rented pontoon boat with her 4-year-old son, Josey, who was later discovered sleeping aboard the vessel. Upon confirming that Rivera had died in the water, authorities said that her son, whom she shares with ex-husband Ryan Dorsey, watched her “disappear.”
“We know from speaking with her son that he and Naya swam in the lake together at some point during their journey,” Sheriff William Ayub said during a press conference on Monday afternoon. “There are a lot of currents that appear on the lake in the afternoon. She mustered enough energy to get her son back on the boat but not enough to save herself.”
An official autopsy will be conducted to reveal the cause of Rivera’s death, but the sheriff believed there “was no indication of foul play, and no indication this was a suicide.”
Adam Shankman Shares Sweet Throwback Video of Naya Rivera and Son Josey Singing Together
Adam Shankman, who worked with Naya Rivera on multiple projects, said the video showed both "what [she was] like and how [he will] remember her"On Monday night — hours after the actress's body was recovered from Lake Piru in California, following her disappearance five days previous — the director, producer and choreographer, 55, shared a video tribute to Rivera, who died at the age of 33.
Hours after the Sorry Not Sorry author’s death was announced, well-wishes from her former costars and close friends quickly appeared on social media. Chris Colfer, who worked closely with Rivera on Glee from 2009 to 2015, penned an emotional note to the “otherworldly” actress.
Naya Rivera's Sweetest Moments With Son Josey
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“How can you convey all your love and respect for someone in one post? How can you summarize a decade of friendship and laughter with words alone? If you were friends with Naya Rivera, you simply can’t,” he wrote on Monday. “She inspired and uplifted people without even trying. Being close to her was both a badge of honor and a suit of armor. Naya was truly one of a kind, and she always will be. Sending all my love to her wonderful family and her beautiful son.”
Gallery: Amber Riley Speaks Out About 'Glee' Costar Naya Rivera's Disappearance (US Weekly)
Former costars and fellow celebrities sent prayers to Naya Rivera after the Glee alum went missing on Wednesday, July 8, during a boat ride with her 4-year-old son, Josey.
Naya Rivera's Best Glee Performances
Naya Rivera's Best Glee Performances
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department told Us Weekly that Rivera, 33, rented a motorized pontoon boat for three hours at Lake Piru near Los Angeles. She was 30 minutes overdue to return the boat, so personnel went searching and found the vessel adrift with Josey asleep on it. He was alone.
“It is believed that Naya and her son were swimming in the lake near the boat and as they were getting back into the boat, her son made it into the boat and Naya went under water and did not resurface,” the department said in a statement to Us.
A large-scale search that involved drone teams, a sheriff’s boat and a dive team was conducted from 4:38 p.m. to 10 p.m. The sheriff’s office said the “search was terminated … due to darkness” but it resumed the next morning with additional divers and sonar equipment.
Captain Eric Buschow of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, meanwhile, told Us that Josey was found wearing a life vest in compliance with California law but “another vest [was found] on board the boat for an adult, so it looks like [Rivera] was not wearing” hers.
“The fact that she was seen in the water shows there is a high likelihood that she drowned,” Buschow said, noting that “all indications point” to the actress being dead.
Rivera shares Josey with her ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, to whom she was married from 2014 to 2018. In addition to starring as Santana Lopez on all six seasons of Glee, she had roles in The Royal Family and Devious Maids.
Fans are asking others not to share clips of Naya Rivera singing 'If I Die Young' as videos of the star's 'Glee' performances go viral
Since her death, fans have been sharing videos of her best performances as Santana Lopez on "Glee," from her cover of "Songbird" to "Back to Black."On Monday, the Ventura County Sheriff's Department confirmed that the 33-year-old actress was found dead in Lake Piru, California, five days after she went missing.
Scroll down to see messages of hope that celebrities shared in the wake of the news.
Rivera’s former Glee costar spoke out on July 12 after fans speculated online about why Riley was maintaining a social media silence following the actress’ disappearance. “Show some respect,” she tweeted. “All our energy is going toward helping find Naya and praying for her safe return and for her family. No one owes anyone online a performance of grief. This is very real and devastating. Focus on Naya and her family. Not us. We don’t matter right now.”
“Aye God … I know we ask a lot of you … because we know what you’re capable of … do that thing you do because I can’t think straight ,” Green, who plays Rigo Octavio on the Step Up series, wrote via Instagram, adding the hashtags, “#findnayarivera #prayfornaya.”
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Marcus Emanuel Mitchell
“Praying for our sister. We love you Naya,” the Step Up: High Water star wrote alongside a cast photo via Instagram.
“Praying so hard for our kind, talented, gorgeous @nayarivera to return home safely. #bringnayaback,” the dancer wrote. “Refusing to assume the worst and keeping positivity and love in my heart. We love you.”
Naya Rivera 'Loved Being a Mom' to Son Josey, Says Source: 'She Was Very Sweet'
"You could tell she loved being a mom," a source close to Naya Rivera, who died at age 33, tells PEOPLE"You could tell she loved being a mom," a source close to Rivera, whose body was found Monday after a five-day search on Lake Piru in California, tells PEOPLE in this week's issue. "She was always so sweet.
“My sister, my cast-mate, my friend,” the actress who plays Poppy on the Step Up TV series wrote via Instagram. “I am praying hard for your return! @nayarivera please be OK!!!”
“Please pray for @nayarivera to be found safe and sound,” the pop star, who played Santana’s love interest Dani on season 5 of Glee, wrote on her Instagram Stories.
“We need all the prayers we can get to bring our Naya back home to us,” the actress, who starred as Brittany S. Pierce on Glee, wrote on her Instagram Stories. “We need your love and light.”
“Praying they find @NayaRivera,” the Broadway star, who appeared in five episodes of Glee through the years, tweeted.
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In response to Rivera’s past tweet asking a fan what would “interest and inspire” them most, the comedic actress responded, “You being ALIVE and telling us all a story about how you survived. Please God.”
“Love and hug on the people you can, while you can,” the actor-singer, who played Sam Evans, tweeted. “I love you. Everyone please send out your prayers.”
“Praying for a miracle,” the American Horror Story star, who appeared as Vocal Adrenaline director Dustin Goolsby on Glee, wrote via Instagram. “This is Unimaginable. … Love you Naya.”
Naya Rivera's Ex Ryan Dorsey 'Can't Imagine Raising Josey Without' Her: Source
"It's just a nightmare. Although he wasn't with Naya, it's Josey's mom. Josey needs his mom," a source tells PEOPLE about Naya Rivera's ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey“Ryan has barely slept,” a source says in the latest issue of PEOPLE. “It’s just a nightmare. Although he wasn’t with Naya, it’s Josey’s mom. Josey needs his mom.
“Praying,” the actor, who played Mike Chang on the show, tweeted.
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Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi
“Waking up to Naya Rivera missing is an absolute tragedy,” the Jersey Shore: Family Vacation star tweeted. “Praying for her safety. So absolutely heartbreaking thinking of her 4 year old. #FindNaya.”
“The story about @NayaRivera is the most horrifying thing I have read about in a while,” the Real Housewives of New York City alum tweeted. “My heart goes out to her family. What a terrible trauma.”
“Prayers up for the lovely Naya Rivera,” Harry’s The Royal Family costar tweeted. “We starred alongside one another in her first very television series, The Royal Family, and I’ve watched her career blossom ever since. Please God, don’t cut this life short.”
Naya Rivera's Ex Ryan Dorsey 'Can't Imagine Raising Josey Without' Her: Source .
"It's just a nightmare. Although he wasn't with Naya, it's Josey's mom. Josey needs his mom," a source tells PEOPLE about Naya Rivera's ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey“Ryan has barely slept,” a source says in the latest issue of PEOPLE. “It’s just a nightmare. Although he wasn’t with Naya, it’s Josey’s mom. Josey needs his mom.