Naya Rivera’s Family Speaks Out Following Glee Actress’s Tragic Passing

Published on July 15, 2020.

Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File

Naya Rivera’s family is speaking out following her tragic boating accident.

The actress was deemed missing when the boat she and her four-year-old son rented was overdue for its return after a three-hour rental. The staff investigated and found the boat at the north side of the lake with her sleeping son aboard, but no sign of Rivera. Her body was later recovered from the water and she was pronounced dead at age 33.

Rivera’s family released a statement on Tuesday expressing their sadness over the loss of their beloved family member. “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,” the family’s statement reads.

“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.”

“Heaven gained our sassy angel. We kindly request that our privacy be respected during this very difficult time,” the statement concludes.