Naya Rivera

“Glee” star Naya Rivera is missing after her 4-yearold son was found alone in a boat on a lake in Southern California.

Capt. Eric Buschow, of Ventura County Sheriff ’s office, said the American actress had rented the boat on Wednesday evening at Lake Piru, northwest of Los Angeles, and was last seen cruising out onto the lake with her child. About 3 hours after leaving the dock, another boater reported finding 33-year-old Rivera’s boat drifting with her son asleep onboard.

Her youngster had apparently been wearing a lifejacket and an adult-size lifejacket was found beside him. Authorities launched an immediately search operation both from the air and with a diving team. Rivera’s son told rescuers that he and his mother had gone swimming in the lake, but she had not returned to the boat.

The search was suspended on Wednesday night but resumed on Thursday. However, authorities feared the worst.

Rivera’s former publicist, Zack Teperman, expressed his shock at hearing news of her disappearance. “I still can’t believe what I’m hearing and hoping it isn’t true. I’m just sad. Naya Rivera was one of the first people I had the honor of working with back in 2009 when I got into public relations and moved to Hollywood. One of the first people to allow me to give her advice and guide her through those crazy ‘Glee’ days,” he said on social media.

Rivera played the role of

Santana Lopez for six years in the musicalcomedy drama “Glee,” appearing in almost every episode since 2009.

She also appeared in the CBS sitcom “The Royal Family” and the comedy movie “The Master of Disguise.”