Glee's Naya Rivera is missing after her four-year-old son was found alone in a boat on a lake in Southern California. A search operation at Lake Piru was suspended on Wednesday evening and is due to resume later today.
The actress - who is best known for playing cheerleader Santana Lopez in Glee from 2009 to 2015 - had rented a pontoon boat at the lake. Her son is believed to have told investigators that his mother was swimming and could not make it back to the boat. According to reports by TMZ, an adult life jacket was still on the boat, while Josey was found wearing one.
Eric Buschow, a spokesman for the Ventura County sheriff’s department, said at a press conference there was 'no evidence of foul play at this point' and 'this may well be a case of drowning'. 'He’s in good health,' Bushow said of Rivera’s son. 'The family is going through a very traumatic time right now.'
Naya married fellow actor Ryan Dorsey in 2014 - after divorcing in 2018, they share custody of Josey.
Heather Morris, who starred as Brittany, Rivera's on-screen wife on Glee, wrote in an Instagram story, ‘We need all the prayers we can get to bring our Naya back home to us. We need your love and light.’ Demi Lovato, who also starred on the show as one of Santana's love interests, wrote: 'Please pray for Naya Rivera to be found safe and sound.' Harry Shum Jr., who played Mike Chang, simply tweeted: 'Praying.'
Our thoughts are with Naya's family at this difficult time.