Update (July 10, 2020): Officials believe Glee star Naya Rivera drowned during a boating trip with her son on Wednesday.
During a Thursday press conference, Sgt. Kevin Donoghue said Rivera's 4-year-old son, who was found alone on the boat on Wednesday, "gave enough information to investigators to conclude that his mother never made it out of the water," reports CBS News.
CNN reported Rivera's son previously told investigators his mother never made it back to the boat after the pair went for a swim.
The day before the incident, the actress posted an Instagram photo of herself and her son with a caption reading "just the two of us."
Original (July 9, 2020): Rescue officials continued their search for Glee actress Naya Rivera Thursday morning after she went missing on a lake in California’s Los Padres National Forest.
The 33-year-old disappeared in Lake Piru Wednesday afternoon after renting a small boat with her child. Both were seen boarding the boat, but only the child was found sleeping onboard nearly three hours later, CNN reports.
Ventura County Sheriff's Capt. Eric Buschow said the child, still wearing a life jacket, was unharmed and told investigators that his mother never returned to the boat after the two went for a swim.
“There’s a lot of challenges in a reservoir this size, at times with visibility,” Buschow said. “I don’t have details yet as to the depth of the area where the boat was found or what conditions they’re encountering out there.”
Though authorities initially reported the child as a “3-year-old girl,” outlets including CBS Los Angeles have confirmed that the child found on the boat is Rivera's 4-year-old son. On Tuesday, Rivera posted a picture of her and her son with a caption that read, ”just the two of us.”
just the two of us pic.twitter.com/wCunAlGJ1B
— Naya Rivera (@NayaRivera) July 7, 2020
Concerned celebrities and her Glee co-stars alike took to social media to show support for Rivera.
Waking up to Naya Rivera missing is an absolute tragedy. Praying for her safety???????????????? So absolutely heartbreaking thinking of her 4 year old. #FindNaya
— Nicole Polizzi (@snooki) July 9, 2020
The story about @NayaRivera is the most horrifying thing I have read about in a while. My heart goes out to her family. What a terrible trauma….
— Bethenny Frankel (@Bethenny) July 9, 2020
Praying.
— Harry Shum Jr (@HarryShumJr) July 9, 2020
Sister, Sister actress Jackée Harry shared a personal moment on Twitter, recalling Rivera’s first days on the sitcom, The Royal Family. Rivera was 4 years old when she debuted on the show.
“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,” Harry wrote.
Prayers up for the lovely Naya Rivera. ????????
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. pic.twitter.com/8fRDuuh3oK
— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) July 9, 2020
Zack Teperman, Rivera's former publicist, said he was sad to hear the news.
"I still can't believe what I'm hearing and hoping it isn't true," Teperman wrote. "I'm just sad. #NayaRivera was one of the first people I had the honor of working with back in 2009 when I got into public relations and moved to Hollywood. One of the first people to allow me to give her advice and guide her through those crazy #Glee days."
Authorities worked Wednesday evening to get the 4-year-old boy into the Rivera family’s custody. The boy is now safe with family, CNN reports.
