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Naya Rivera death: ‘Glee’ star sacrificed her life to save 4-year-old son Josey, fans call her a ‘hero’

'Josey was found asleep and alone on the boat later in the afternoon and he had on a life jacket while no life jacket was found on Rivera's body'
UPDATED JUL 14, 2020
Naya Rivera and Josey Hollis (Getty Images)
Naya Rivera and Josey Hollis (Getty Images)

‘Glee’ actress Naya Rivera's body was found in Lake Piru and she was declared dead at 33 after being missing for days, the Ventura Sheriff's Department confirmed in its press conference. Sheriff Bill Ayub detailed reporters on how Rivera may have sacrificed her life to help her four-year-old son Josey get back in the pontoon boat they rented.

"Josey was found asleep and alone on the boat later in the afternoon. He had on a life jacket. No life jacket was found on Rivera's body, and an adult-sized jacket was one the boat," he said, adding that Rivera was "found in a northeastern portion of the lake, near the surface of the water. The depth of the water in that area is between 35 and 60 feet deep and there’s heavy brush and trees on the lake bed there."

He then described what they gathered from searching the area:

"On July 8, 2020, last Wednesday, Naya Rivera came to Lake Piru and rented a pontoon boat at the dock," Ayub said. "She and her four-year-old son left the dock at approximately 1 pm and headed toward the northern portion of the lake. We identified specific areas they visited that day by looking at the shoreline features of the background of the FaceTime videos where she was chatting with family members while out on the lake. We know from speaking with her son that he 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 who boosted him onto the deck from behind. He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water."

Actor Naya Rivera of 'Step Up: High Water' speaks onstage (Getty Images)

Her co-star Alex Newell wrote: "Now more than ever we must lift her family and friends up, especially Josey! My heart is sent to them... Josey you are truly loved by every single person who loves your mommy! I love you Naya!"

The news came as a major shock to fans and they have been paying tribute to the actress for being a "hero" for her son. "The officer spoke about the interview with Josey. He told them that his mom boosted him up into the boat from behind. When he turned around, she slipped under the water. Heartbreaking," one tweet read and another said, "Listening to the police report on how Naya was able to put Josey back in the boat... a mother’s love. She was amazing till the end. Rest in Peace Naya #nayarivera."

One said, "They both so easily could’ve lost their lives but she made sure to save his even though she couldn’t save her own. A mother’s selfless love," and another wrote, "#NayaRivera was her son's hero and many people's hero! She was simply beautiful, incredible, inspiring, phenomenal, selfless and insanely talented. May God rest His Angel Naya Rivera in peace. Heavens have gained an incredible angel."

A video started doing the rounds of an old interview where Naya said if her house was caught on fire, she'd save Josey. "#nayarivera she was the greatest mama to Josey, even up to her final moments she did what she could to save him, she put him before her always. rest peacefully Naya Rivera," one said and another wrote, "I do hope that Josey doesn’t blame himself when he grows up. I hope he knows she did it out of love and not because she felt that was the only choice."

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