Naya Rivera's cause of death confirmed to be accidental drowning
By Áine Ryan|
Naya Rivera died from drowning, an autopsy has confirmed.
The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office in California revealed on Tuesday, July 14 (local time) that the Glee actress' death was accidental.
"On the morning of July 13, the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office was notified that the body of a woman believed to be 33-year-old Naya Marie Rivera was recovered from the waters of Lake Piru in Ventura County, California," a statement read. "The circumstances and visual characteristics all indicated that the body was that of Naya Rivera and the identity has been confirmed by dental comparison.
"The body has been X-rayed and a full autopsy has been performed. The autopsy findings are consistent with a drowning and the condition of the body is consistent with the time that she was submerged. No traumatic injuries or disease processes were identified at autopsy."
The statement concludes, "There is no indication from the investigation or examination that drugs or alcohol played a role but specimens will be submitted for toxicology testing."
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Rivera went missing on July 8 after going for a swim in Lake Piru with her four-year-old son Josey, who she shares with actor Ryan Dorsey. After almost a week of searching, she was found on July 13.
According to Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub, Josey saw his mum disappear into the water.
"[Josey] 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," Ayub said. "He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water." The officer added, "She mustered enough energy to get her son onto the boat but wasn't able to get herself."
Though she began acting in 1991, Rivera is best known for playing high school student and cheerleader Santana Lopez on the series Glee between 2009 and 2015. Rivera has also had roles in the TV series Devious Maids and the YouTube Red series Step Up: High Water.
As part of the Glee cast, Rivera received several nominations at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Grammys and Teen Choice Awards.
Two of Rivera's Glee co-stars have died in the last decade.
On July 13, 2013, Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson on the show, overdosed on heroin and alcohol in a hotel room at the age of 31.
Five years later, on January 30, 2018, Mark Salling took his own life. The actor, who played Puck on the show, had pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography a month earlier and was due to be sentenced in March of that year.
In 2016, Rivera published her memoir Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes and Growing Up.
One of Rivera's last tweets, posted on July 3, read, "No matter the year, circumstance, or strifes everyday you're alive is a blessing. Make the most of today and every day you are given. Tomorrow is not promised."
