Glee's Naya Rivera Presumed Dead After Boating Incident, According to Authorities
The search for Naya Rivera has shifted from a rescue mission to a recovery one, with the Glee actress presumed dead, authorities announced Thursday.
USA Today and Fox LA confirmed the news after Rivera, 33, disappeared from a rented boat on a Southern California lake on Wednesday. PEOPLE has reached out to the sheriff's office for comment.
The actress, who portrayed Santana Lopez on the hit FOX series for six seasons, was reported missing after a trip to Lake Piru in Ventura County, California. Rivera and her 4-year-old son, Josey Dorsey, rented a pontoon boat and were swimming in the water. After the boat was overdue for return after the three-hour rental, staff at the lake found it at the north side of the body of water with her sleeping son aboard, but not Rivera.
RELATED: Naya Rivera Missing After 4-Year-Old Son Found Alone in a Boat on California Lake
David Buchan/Shutterstock Naya Rivera
A search-and-rescue operation was undertaken at the lake, but when Rivera was not found, authorities suspended the search for the night, resuming again on Thursday.
Per USA Today, volunteers in red rescue shirts and deputies in uniform both gathered together at a dock. Sheriff's officials also noted that they were awaiting the arrival of additional dive teams and sonar equipment to aid in their operations.
FOX Image Collection via Getty Images Naya Rivera
According to NBC Los Angeles, Josey was wearing his lifejacket when he was found asleep on the boat. An adult lifejacket, believed to be the one provided to Rivera, was still on the boat.
RELATED: Demi Lovato, Glee Stars Ask Fans to Pray for Missing Naya Rivera: 'Don't Cut This Life Short'
Mediapunch/Shutterstock; Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Heather Morris, Naya Rivera, Demi Lovato
Rivera's friends and costars have called for prayers after the star disappeared during her trip, with several of Rivera's Glee costars asking fans for prayers that she's found soon.
Heather Morris, who worked closely with Rivera on the musical comedy series, wrote on her Instagram Story: "We need all the prayers we can get to bring our Naya back home to us. We need your love and light 🙏🙏"
Harry Shum Jr., who played Mike Chang on the show, tweeted simply "Praying," as Iqbal Theba, aka Principal Figgins, wrote on Twitter, "Oh God... mercy... please..." while sharing a report of Rivera's disappearance.
Demi Lovato — who guest-starred as a love interest for Rivera's Santana Lopez on Glee — wrote on her Instagram Story, "Please pray for @nayarivera to be found safe and sound," alongside a photo of a lit candle.
