Glee star Naya Rivera put her hand up and yelled for help, before she died during a boating trip. Details have emerged about her final day.
Fans of the show and people who never watched it were saddened to hear that Naya Rivera, who played cheerleader Santana Lopez in a groundbreaking role, was reported missing. She went on a boating trip with her son in Lake Piru and while he returned, authorities scrambled to find her whereabouts in the treacherous water conditions.
Now there’s finally some closure around Rivera, who sadly passed away in early July. According to the investigative report, provided to USA Today by the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office, Rivera’s son Josey Dorsey counted “one, two, three” with his mother before they jumped off a boat and into Southern California’s Lake Piru.
Soon after, Naya Rivera instructed her son to return to the vessel, and helped him get onboard. She then yelled “Help!” before disappearing into the water.
We previously understood that Rivera accidentally drowned, but this report is the first to acknowledge her cry for help. 33-year-old Rivera had health problems, including vertigo, a sinus infection and some prescribed amphetamines. However, the autopsy did not attribute those conditions and drugs as factors in her death.
Toxicology reports also revealed Rivera had small amounts of the anti-anxiety drug diazepam and the appetite suppressant phentermine in her system.
Rivera’s Mother Yolanda Previtire said the Glee star was familiar with the lake, saying that she visited “multiple times” in the past, and was able to “swim well,” the report said.
However, while the autopsy acknowledges that Rivera “was considered to be a good swimmer,” it also noted that the actress suffered from vertigo, which “would get worse when she was in the water.”
Fans had previously feared that her death was no accident, but the report refuted that claim, saying that Naya had “no known history of suicidal ideation or attempt.”
Rest in Peace, Naya Rivera.
