Hey y’all, it’s Sussan Mourad with Clevver News, and the autopsy on Naya Rivera’s body
has come back and her cause of death has officially been determined by medical examiners.
Just 24 hours after it was confirmed that Naya Rivera’s body was found in Lake Piru,
the autopsy has been completed by the Ventura County Medical Examiner, who has further confirmed
the identity of Naya’s body.
Naya’s cause of death has also been ruled as drowning and the manner of death as accidental.
The report obtained by E! News revealed QUOTE, “The autopsy findings are consistent with
a drowning and the condition of the body is consistent with the time that she was submerged.
No traumatic injuries or disease processes were identified at autopsy.
There is no indication from the investigation or examination that drugs or alcohol played
a role.”
The Ventura County Sheriff’s department revealed Monday morning that a body had been
found floating near the surface of the lake, and hours later during a press conference,
authorities revealed they were “confident” that the body belonged to Naya.
After it was reported that Naya was missing when her son Josey was found unharmed and
asleep on the boat by himself, authorities spoke to Josey, and by doing so, they were
able to determine that the two went swimming in the lake on July 8th and that “her son
described being helped into the boat by Naya, who boosted him on to the deck from behind.
He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of
the water.”
An adult life jacket was also found on the boat, which led investigators to believe that
Naya wasn’t wearing one when she drowned.
Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub, who conducted Monday's press conference, revealed that the
conditions of the waters may have had something to do with Naya’s death.
He said QUOTE, “There are a lot of currents on the lake that appear particularly in the
afternoon.
We believe it was mid-afternoon when she disappeared, the idea perhaps being that the boat started
drifting, it was unanchored, and that she mustered enough energy to get her son back
onto the boat, but not enough to save herself.”
Many of Naya’s fans and fellow castmates are unable to fathom the horrific events that
occurred last week, as even more of her Glee co-stars have spoken out with beautiful tributes.
Dianna Agron recalled first meeting Naya on-set with a sweet photo of the two, saying, “Naya
and I fell into stride with such ease, she was my first friend and ally on our show.
In the pilot, our characters came and went with such swiftness.
Our enthusiasm brimmed with all of the unknown.
We tried to grasp what the other cast members must be feeling as we were working in such
separate manners.
We dared to dream.
What if this show worked?
Wouldn’t that be something?
Something was brimming, it was palpable.
And thank god it worked.
Naya’s magnetic talent was going to be unleashed, we just didn’t know it yet.”
She added, “I cannot make sense of this tremendous loss.
I will hold onto her and these memories for the rest of time, alongside our Glee family.
Please hold space for her, her family, her beautiful boy.
In absolute, loving memory.”
Heather Morris will likely speak out when she is ready, as she posted a message to fans
saying QUOTE, “Taking a moment to honor my grief.
Thank you for all your messages and prayers.
Taking care of myself and my family comes first.
Xo Heather.”
Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan also issued a statement yesterday,
saying, “Naya was more than just an actor on our show — she was our friend.
Our hearts go out to her family, especially her mom, Yolanda, who was a big part of the
Glee family, and her son Josey,” also referring to him as “the beautiful son Naya loved
most of all.”
The statement went on to read that while Naya wasn’t initially hired as a Glee cast member,
it “didn’t take more than an episode or two for us to realize that we had lucked into
finding one of the most talented, special stars we would ever have the pleasure of working
with.”
They added Naya could act, sing, dance and quote, “naila joke as well as she could
crush you with an emotional scene.
She was a joy to write for, a joy to direct and a joy to be around.”
With portraying a high school student in an openly lesbian relationship, the producers
revealed that Naya always ensured that her character’s love for her partner was “expressed
with dignity, strength and with pure intentions.”
To honor Naya, they also revealed that they are “in the process of creating a college
fund” for 4-year-old Josey.
Naya’s family also released a statement on Tuesday, thanking everyone for the outpouring
of love they’ve been receiving over the past week.
The statement said QUOTE, “We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for
Naya, Josey and our family over the past week.
While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honor her everlasting
legacy and magnetic spirit.
Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter and sister.
Heaven gained our sassy angel.
We kindly request that our privacy be respected during this very difficult time.”
The family went on to thank authorities for their tireless efforts in finding Naya, adding,
“Thank you to the men and women of the Ventura, Tulare, and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s
Departments for your commitment and unwavering effort to find Naya.
We extend endless gratitude and ovation to the heroine who found her.
Thank you to her friends, colleagues, and fans for your continuous support.”
We, here at Clevver, also continue to send our love and support to Naya’s family and
loved ones during this difficult and devastating time.
And to see which of Naya’s other castmates have shared beautiful tributes, you can click
right over here to watch another Clevver video.
Then be sure to share some love and well wishes to Naya’s family and loved ones down here
in the comments.
I’m your host Sussan Mourad, bye guys.