Naya Rivera could've been 'dragged down by whirlpool', family of girl who drowned in vortex at same spot says
'Glee' star Naya Rivera's search and recovery mission continued on its third day on Friday, July 10, amid fears that the actress may have drowned in Lake Piru, California after being "dragged down by a whirlpool." Rivera, 33, went missing two days ago on July 8 after she went on a boating trip with her four-year-old son Josey. The child was found alone on a rented pontoon boat with his life vest on while Rivera's vest was on board but she was nowhere to be seen.
The search for the star is now being treated as a recovery operation as authorities believe that the 33-year-old likely drowned in the lake. Sonar equipment was being used to find Rivera's body in the lake as it was revealed that at least eight others have also died in the waterbody since 1994, including a nine-year-old Denise Arredondo. The child was reportedly sucked below the surface by a whirlpool.
Amidst the news of Rivera's disappearance in the lake, Denise's cousin, 26-year-old Andrea Arredondo, spoke to The Sun, saying it is possible that the actress may have also been dragged down by a whirlpool earlier this week. Andrea added that the particular lake is "notorious" for vortexes. "I was very surprised with this piece of information because I wasn't even aware that whirlpools occurred in lakes," she said. "I really hope that isn't the reason Naya didn't resurface, but it could be one of the possibilities."
Andrea added that her late cousin and her family were swimming at Lake Piru on May 16, 2009, when the tragedy occurred. Denise reportedly wandered into a shallow area before she was suddenly dragged under the water, she added. Denise's father, who was reportedly holding her younger siblings nearly, desperately attempted to pull her out of the water by holding on to her hand, however, he failed to save his daughter.
The 26-year-old added that when Denise's body was finally pulled out from the lake it was "extremely unrecognizable" and was something a young girl "should never have to witness."
The possibility of whirlpools at the lake was confirmed by the Ventura Sheriff's Department, which said that the vortexes are more common when the dams are open. Andrea also warned visitors to the lake and advised them to be "extremely cautious' while visiting the waterbody. "I definitely think that if they had put warning signs since the first drownings back in the 90s, everyone else could have possibly been saved," she told the outlet.
Although swimming is allowed in designated areas of the lake, its policy states that it is considered a "hazardous recreational activity," considering there are only a few lifeguards and the water ranges from five to 40ft in depth. There is at least one sign around the lake reading "No Swimming or Wading. Danger - Hazards Exist!" locals, however, have launched a petition demanding that additional warning signs be installed.
After Rivera's son was located on the boat, he told authorities that his mother had gone swimming in the water but never came out. It is not yet clear in which area did the star disappear. Authorities, on Friday, had stated that it was possible that Rivera's body "may never come back up" if it is "entangled on something beneath the water." Rescue operations have also been hampered due to poor visibility in the water as rescuers state that the water is murky and full of debris and plants.