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Naya Rivera Is Missing After Her 4-Year-Old Son Was Found Alone On A Boat In A California Lake

Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Eric Buschow said during a press conference: "This may well be a case of drowning."

Former Glee actor, Naya Rivera, is missing after her 4-year-old son was found alone on a boat in Lake Piru on Wednesday, July 8.

The search for the 33-year-old actor began after she and her son, Josey, failed to return a rented pontoon boat following an afternoon on the Californian lake.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Captain, Eric Buschow, said during a press conference that there was "no evidence of foul play" but added, "this may well be a case of drowning".

Buschow confirmed that authorities had been "actively searching" with both aerial and dive teams since the alarm was raised, and further resources would be deployed on Thursday morning.

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

Divers and helicopters were seen scouring the lake until evening, but no trace of Rivera was found, and the search was suspended "until first light" on Thursday.

Buschow said search and rescue teams from neighbouring counties would join on Thursday, to provide more divers and air units.

"This is a big reservoir. It's deep. These kinds of things happen," he added. "We don't know all the circumstances. Investigators are working on that, getting as much information as possible."

Rivera was best known for playing the role of Santana Lopez in Glee. Within hours of the news breaking, her former costars began sending messages of prayer and hope on social media.

Heather Morris, who played Brittany Pierce in Glee, shared a message on Instagram reading: "We need all the prayers we can to bring our Naya back home to us. We need your love and light."

Harry Shum Jr, who played Mike Chang, tweeted simply: "Praying."

And Demi Lovato, who had a guest role on the show in 2013, shared a photo of a candle with the caption: "Please pray for @nayarivera to be found safe and sound."

Rivera gave birth to Josey in September 2015. Her last Instagram post before going missing was a photo of them together, alongside the caption: "Just the two of us."