New York Daily News

‘Glee’ star ID’d after body found

- BY KATE FELDMAN AND THERESA BRAINE

California police confirmed Monday that the body discovered in Lake Piru was that of “Glee” actress Naya Rivera.

“Based on the location of where the body was found, physical characteri­stics of the body, clothing found on the body, and the physical condition of the body ... we are confident that the body we found is that of Naya Rivera,” Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said.

“As you can imagine it has been an extremely difficult time for her family throughout this ordeal,” Ayub said, adding that police had been in direct contact with her family throughout the search.

Ayub added that detectives had found “no indication of foul play and no indication this was a suicide.”

Her body is being taken to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy, “and a positive identifica­tion will be made based on dental records,” Ayub said.

The 33year-old “Glee” alum (inset) went missing Wednesday while on a boating trip with her 4-year-old son. The boy, Josey, was found alone on the rented boat, sleeping, but Rivera was nowhere to be seen. He was wearing a life vest and wrapped in a towel, investigat­ors said.

The two of them had gone swimming during their boating trip, Ayub said. The boy later told investigat­ors that his mother had boosted him onto the deck of the pontoon boat from behind.

“He told investigat­ors that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water,” Ayub said.

“We identified specific areas they visited that day by looking at shoreline features of the background of FaceTime videos when she was chatting with family members while out on the lake,” he said.

“Rest sweet, Naya,” Jane Lynch, who co-starred with Rivera on “Glee,” tweeted. “What a force you were. Love and peace to your family.”

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States