Authorities Recover LA actress Naya Marie Rivera’s Body
On Wednesday, July 8th, actress Naya Rivera went missing in Lake Piru after renting a pontoon for herself and her 4-year old son. Her son was found asleep on the boat, wearing a life jacket, about three hours after they left the docks. An extensive search took place until July 13th, when her body was recovered in the north-east end of the lake. Her death has been ruled an accidental drowning. Photos courtesy Ventura County Sheriff ’s Department.
On Wednesday, July 8th, actress Naya Rivera went missing in Lake Piru after renting a pontoon for herself and her 4-year old son. Her son was found asleep on the boat, wearing a life jacket, about three hours after they left the docks. An extensive search took place until July 13th, when her body was recovered in the north-east end of the lake. Her death has been ruled an accidental drowning. Photos courtesy Ventura County Sheriff ’s Department.
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, July 15th, 2020
Naya Marie Rivera
Naya Marie Rivera

On Wednesday, July 8th 33-year-old Los Angeles actress Naya Marie Rivera rented a boat at the lake Wednesday afternoon and went for an excursion with her four-year-old son. The boat was found drifting in the northern portion of the lake with the child alone and asleep onboard. Rivera’s son told investigators that he and his mother had been swimming in the lake, and he got back in the boat, but Rivera did not.

Approximately 50 sheriff’s personnel, along with a helicopter, boat crews, divers, and unmanned aerial vehicles searched the lake for five hours Wednesday evening, but Rivera could not be found. The entire shoreline and surface of the lake were thoroughly searched. Divers also searched under water in the area where the boat had last been seen. However, there was no sign of Rivera. The search was suspended at 10:00 pm Wednesday night due to zero visibility in the water and dangerous conditions for the divers.

The search resumed Thursday morning with divers experiencing less than one foot of visibility in the water in daylight. The difficult conditions have made the recovery operation a very slow process. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is assisting in the search with divers and sonar equipment. Approximately 100 personnel are participating in the mission on Thursday, including resources from neighboring counties and the United States Coast Guard. Investigators believe Rivera drowned in what appears to be a tragic accident.

The search continued until the morning of July 13, when a body was recovered at Lake Priu. Later that day the Ventura Medical Examiner released the following statement:

The body of a woman found in Lake Piru on Monday July 13, 2020 has been confirmed as Naya Marie Rivera. The cause of death is drowning, and the manner of death is accident.

Naya Marie Rivera, Age 33
Date of Pronouncement: 7/13/2020
Cause of Death: Drowning
Manner of Death: Accident
On the morning of July 13, the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office was notified that the body of a woman believed to be 33-year-old Naya Marie Rivera was recovered from the waters of Lake Piru in Ventura County, California. The circumstances and visual characteristics all indicated that the body was that of Naya Rivera and the identity has been confirmed by dental comparison. The body has been x-rayed and a full autopsy has been performed. 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 in the decedent's death, but specimens will be submitted for toxicology testing.