Naya Rivera: Glee star, 33, missing on lake after son found alone

A massive search is underway for Glee star Naya Rivera who is missing after her four-year-old son was found alone in a boat on a lake.

Glee actress Naya Rivera, 33, is missing, feared dead, on a Southern California lake after her young son was found asleep alone on a boat.

A massive search for the star has been suspended until morning.

Her four-year-old son was found alone on a boat adrift on Lake Piru by another boater shortly before 5pm. Rivera had rented the craft three hours earlier.

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Naya Rivera, known for her role as Santana Lopez in Glee, was reported missing after her 4-year-old son was found floating by himself in a rented boat in Ventura County, California. Picture: Supplied.

According to local media, her son, Josey Hollis Dorsey, told investigators that he and his mother were swimming, but his mother never got back into the boat.

Sources also told TMZ Josey told authorities that his mother had “jumped into the water but didn’t come back up”.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Eric Buschow, told the LA Times Josey was “in good health” following the ordeal.

“The family is going through a very traumatic time right now,” Capt. Buschow said, later telling NBC LA: “This is considered to be a horrible accident.”

He said they were able to confirm Naya’s identity after finding her wallet onboard the boat.

#NayaRivera: “This is considered to be a horrible accident” @VENTURASHERIFF tells @NBCLA. This pontoon boat is similar to the one @NayaRivera rented with her four year old son. He was found asleep on the boat, wearing a life-vest. An adult life-vest was also found on board. pic.twitter.com/12lV5U6ryD

— Robert Kovacik (@RobertNBCLA) July 9, 2020

Rivera and her 4-year-old son Josey Hollis Dorsey. Picture: Getty Images.

Naya’s lifejacket is reported to have still been on the boat when Josey was found asleep, and Rivera’s vehicle, a black Mercedes G Wagon, was later found in the car park with her handbag inside.

***BREAKING*** Glee actress Naya Rivera missing on Lake Piru after she and her 4 year-old son went for a boat ride. The child was found asleep on the boat. Their vehicle, a black Mercedes G Wagon found in the parking lot with her purse inside. @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/AklZkimbKl

— Stephanie Stanton (@Newzysteph) July 9, 2020

Divers immediately started searching the lake, but there has been no sign of the Glee star.

According to the Ventura County Sheriff Twitter account, the search has been called off for today and will “continue at first light”.

The missing person at Lake Puru has been identified as Naya Rivera, 33, of Los Angeles. SAR operation will continue at first light. @VCAirUnit @fillmoresheriff @Cal_OES pic.twitter.com/bC3qaZS3Ra

— Ventura Co. Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) July 9, 2020

The actress recently posted a message on her social media accounts, eerily writing that “tomorrow is not promised” along with a selfie.

no matter the year, circumstance, or strifes everyday you're alive is a blessing. make the most of today and every day you are given. tomorrow is not promised pic.twitter.com/O4t7wdqA4k

— Naya Rivera (@NayaRivera) July 2, 2020

“No matter the year, circumstance, or strifes everyday you’re alive is a blessing. make the most of today and every day you are given. tomorrow is not promised,” the star posted to her 1.5 million Twitter followers last Friday.

Rivera also shared a photo of herself kissing Josey on social media, adding the caption: “Just the two of us” on Tuesday.

Rivera was pictured out and about with her son in Los Feliz, California just last week, wearing a grey mask and matching cap and shirt as she ran errands with her little boy.

The mask included the message: “If you are reading this you are too close!”

Naya Rivera shopping with her son Josey Hollis. Her face mask read: “If you are reading this you are too close!” Picture: Backgrid.

Following the alarming news, fans took to social media with an outpouring of support for the star and her family.

Others were furious to hear the search had been stopped until morning.

this naya rivera situation is heartbreaking. hoping for the best. but hearing her son was on the boat alone, is discouraging. 😢

— $FFUCCII (@FUCCl) July 9, 2020

praying that naya rivera is alive. there’s a little boy waiting for her to come home, i’m heartbroken this is happening, please don’t stop looking for her, please. pic.twitter.com/tGOZARjuPs

— jade (@cristinasoh) July 9, 2020

the whole naya rivera situation is just so sad. suspending search until morning?? for?? if there’s any chance that she’s still alive right now, that could change in the little bit of time that responders aren’t searching for her. this is ridiculous. it shouldn’t be suspended.

— Nicholas Liddle (@NLiddle16) July 9, 2020

their job is to search and they choose to stop??? naya rivera could be alive, injured, needing help. the time from now and ‘first light’ can make a huge difference. https://t.co/htfyB5idHK

— sar loves camila (@bippitycabello) July 9, 2020

Rivera’s life took a turn in late 2017 after she was arrested on domestic battery in 2017 against her ex-husband, actor Ryan Dorsey, who is the father of her child.

Dorsey claimed that Rivera struck him in the head and face, and hours after the alleged incident, her emotional court appearance was caught on camera for the world to see.

The charge was dropped after Dorsey told prosecutors he didn’t want to proceed.

Ryan Dorsey and Naya Rivera. Picture: Splash News.

Rivera had been arrested after an altercation during which she allegedly hit her husband at their West Virginia home. Law enforcement said at the time that alcohol was a factor in the incident.

E! reported that “Naya’s friends and family (were) very concerned for her wellbeing” following the explosive incident.

The pair were married in 2014 but finalised their divorce in 2018 and share joint custody of their four-year-old son.

Glee has been plagued by controversy, heartbreak and scandal, earning it the title of the “Glee curse”.

Glee’s leading male Cory Monteith, who played Finn, died of a drug overdose in 2013 at the age of 31.

His co-star, Mark Salling, also another series favourite in the role of Puck, killed himself in January 2018. He was 35.

Salling, who Rivera briefly dated, was awaiting sentencing on child pornography charges at the time of his death.