Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagicBy WILLIAM MANSELL, ABC News
(LOS ANGELES) — Naya Rivera, best known for playing Santana Lopez on the hit TV show “Glee,” is presumed dead by authorities after going missing at a California lake on Wednesday.
Rivera, 33, is believed to have drowned in Lake Piru in California, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said during a press conference Thursday. They do not suspect foul play and said it “just seems like a tragic accident.”
Authorities have been searching for Rivera ever since her 4-year-old son, Josey Hollis Dorsey, was found drifting alone on a boat Wednesday afternoon.
Rivera and her son came to the lake around 1 p.m. local time to rent a boat and were seen going out on the lake together in the early afternoon, Capt. Eric Buschow of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office told ABC News.
However, at around 4 p.m. local time, an employee at the boat rental shop found the child, who appeared to be alone on board. The boy was found asleep and authorities were immediately notified.
The child told officials that he had been swimming with his mother and that he got back in the boat, but his mother did not.
A dive, ground and aerial rescue operation began immediately, but the Venture County Sheriff’s Office said it suspended the search for Rivera at around 10 p.m. local time Wednesday.
The missing person at Lake Puru has been identified as Naya Rivera, 33, of Los Angeles. SAR operation will continue at first light. @VCAirUnit @fillmoresheriff @Cal_OES pic.twitter.com/bC3qaZS3Ra
— Ventura Co. Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) July 9, 2020
The search for Rivera resumed at first light Thursday and it is now considered a recovery mission.
Rivera’s vehicle was found parked on the ramp near the lake and her purse was found on the boat. Lake Piru is located about 56 miles north of Los Angeles.
ABC News’ Lauren Botchman and Will Ganss contributed to this report.
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