Petition seeking search for Naya Rivera to be expanded beyond Lake Piru gains nearly 50,000 signatures
As the search for 'Glee' star Naya Rivera enters its fourth day, fans continue to hold onto hope that the actress can be found and returned safely to her family. A petition is circulating online, asking for the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, who are in charge of the search, to expand its measures beyond just the lake and into nearby hospitals, local buildings and anywhere else that has a chance of seeing Rivera turning up alive.
The petition is fast approaching 50,000 signatures. Started by Kai Westerman, the petition reads: "Naya Rivera is not a 'famous celebrity' she is a young woman with friends and family just like you. She deserves every single bit of effort to be found dead OR alive. do not let her 4-year-old son and parents without a mother and daughter because she is 'presumed' to be dead. The police tried to find Naya Rivera only for SIX hours and they’re renaming the mission to a 'recovery' mission? She could VERY much be alive. We need to check HOSPITALS for jane doe's, contacting all the buildings in the area to see if they've seen her! EXTEND THE SEARCH OUTSIDE OF THE LAKE. Through the BLM movement, we all know how much of a difference petitions make. please share this and keep her in your prayers."
The Ventura County Sheriff's Department posted an update around 8.30 pm PT, saying, "Today’s search operation at Lake Piru is winding down. The mission will resume Sunday morning in the ongoing effort to locate Naya Rivera." The department has been working tirelessly to locate Rivera. Earlier today, Rivera's former 'Glee' co-star Grant Gustin shared his thoughts about the actress on Instagram. "I haven't stopped thinking about Naya and her family since the news broke. I've been sick about it, but have been hoping for some kind of miracle. There are no words," he wrote.
"Please check everywhere not just the area she's suspected to be in. The land is important and should be searched. If you can't find something in one place you should look in another. If we're getting annoying, sorry, but we love her and she is important to us we just want her back," wrote a fan online, picking up on a host of commenters who believe that Rivera is not in the lake but is to be found somewhere on the land. "Thank so much for all that u do and continue to do... rest well and search again tomorrow as best as u can. I know she will be found and I deeply hope still with us...she has a family to go back to and fans who love her."
The Ventura County Sheriff's Department will continue to give updates on social media as and when they happen.