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BREAKING: Glee actress Naya Rivera is dead after boating tragedy, aged 33

Police confirmed the news
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Glee actress Naya Rivera has been confirmed dead, five days after she was reported missing following a boating trip to a California lake. She was 33. 

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WATCH: Glee’s Naya Rivera “presumed dead” from drowning

The actress’ body was found at Lake Piru near Los Angeles, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office announced in a press conference on Monday, July 13.

Sheriff Ayub has confirmed the body recovered at Lake Piru today was Naya Rivera,” the department tweeted on Monday. 

“Our hearts go out to her family, friends and fans during this difficult time. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of her death.”

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The Glee star’s four-year-old son, Josey Hollis, was found alone on a boat adrift at the lake last Wednesday afternoon, People reported.

Naya
Glee actress Naya Rivera is “presumed drowned” according to US authorities. (Credit: Getty)

Ventura County Sheriff’s Department began a search and rescue operation at around 1pm, before locating the boat with the child at around 4pm.

The investigation was conducted with a dive team and helicopter drone, and on Thursday morning, the search-and-rescue officially became a recovery operation.

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Naya and her son were on a rented platoon boat. Reports say the pair were swimming before the four-year-old returned to the boat, while his mother did not.

The actress’ most recent Instagram post featured a photo of the doting mother with her beloved Josey, posted July 7.

She captioned the sweet snap, “Just the two of us”.

Naya, who played Santana on Glee, and her then-husband Ryan Dorsey welcomed Josey in 2015.

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Naya’s disappearance comes after she posted a poignant message on Twitter last week.

“No matter the year, circumstance, or strifes everyday you’re alive is a blessing. make the most of today and every day you are given. tomorrow is not promised,” she wrote.

Glee
Naya (right, with co-star Lea Michele) played cheerleader Santana. (Credit: Supplied)
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Glee has often been described as being “cursed”, as tragedy has plagued the show over the years.

In 2013, Cory Monteith, who played quarterback Finn, died from a drug overdose in Vancouver.

Two years later, his co-star Mark Salling (who played Puck) was arrested for possessing child pornography and faced decades behind bars after pleading guilty in 2017.

Cory Monteith
Glee curse? Cory Monteith (left) died of a drug overdose in 2013 while Mark (right) took his own life in 2018. (Credit: Getty)
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Mark’s career quickly unravelled following the charges and before he was able to be sentenced for his alleged crimes, he took his own life in 2018.

Several of the show’s other stars have been in the headlines over shocking scandals, including the show’s leading lady Lea Michele, who portrayed Rachel.

Years of rumours of feuds and diva behaviour on set came to a head earlier this year when multiple co-stars called out Lea for treating others terribly and “making their lives hell”.

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