The sheriff of Ventura County, California, said investigators are “confident” that they have discovered the body of missing Glee actress Naya Rivera.
Rivera, 33, has been missing and presumed dead for several days after renting a boat last week at Lake Piru, located in southern California. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office announced the discovery of a body on Monday, and Sheriff Bill Ayub confirmed that authorities believe it is Rivera’s at a press conference held 2 p.m. local time.
He said investigators believe the body, which was found near the surface of the water, is Rivera’s “based on the location where the body was found, physical characteristics of the body, clothing found on the body, and the physical condition of the body, as well as the absence of any other persons reported missing in the area.”
“We are confident that the body we found is that of Naya Rivera,” Ayub said.
Rivera is best known for her role as Santana Lopez in the hit television show Glee, which ran from 2009 to 2015. She was last seen when she rented a boat with her 4-year-old son, who was discovered unharmed and wearing a life jacket on the boat. It appeared that Rivera’s life jacket and personal identification had been left on the vessel.
There have been multiple drowning incidents on the lake over the years. After Rivera’s disappearance more than 100 people, including divers and aerial units, joined the search.
Ayub said the body has been sent to the Ventura County Coroner’s Office where an autopsy will be performed to formally identify the remains. Investigators said there is no indication that foul play or suicide played a role in Rivera’s death.
