Glee fans mourn star Naya Rivera four years after her tragic death
'She made me understand that it’s okay to love whoever you want to love'.
On July 8 2020, Naya Rivera and her son Josey went on a boating trip at Lake Piru in California.
It is a popular place for locals to go swimming and Ms Rivera was known for her strong swimming skills.
But four hours later Josey was found alone asleep in the pontoon boat wearing a lifejacket, while the actress was nowhere to be found.
The 33-year-old was declared missing and an urgent hunt was launched to try and find her.
Tragically, her body was found in the water five days later on the anniversary of her co-star Cory Monteith’s death in 2013.
An autopsy report later said her death was ruled as accidental drowning.
Her family later lodged a wrongful death lawsuit against Ventura County, United Water Conservation District and Parks and Recreation Management. They settled privately for an undisclosed amount.
Four years on since her shocking death, her castmates and viewers of the show have paid tribute to her and praised her representation of the LGBTQ community in the musical television show Glee.
In the series, which ran from 2009 to 2021, Ms Rivera starred as a highschool cheerleader Sanata Lopez, who had a romantic relationship with fellow cheerleader, Brittany S. Pierce, played by Heather Morris.
Ms Morris and Ms Rivera became firm friends during the show and the starlet helped organise search parties to help with rescue efforts when Ms Rivera was declared missing.
In a post marking the fourth anniversary of her friend’s death, Ms Morris posted a photo on Instagram featuring a black and white snap of the two women cuddling on a bed.
She wrote: ‘I can’t believe it’s been 4 years..boy how time flies. Yet every year I’m taken by surprise how much it still hurts. We grow up together, fell apart, and came back together in such a beautiful way.
‘God you’re missed so much… except I can’t shake the feeling you never left… you’re still here with us..guiding us to our highest potential,’ Ms Morris, 37, added. “I miss you Nay Nay.’
Fans have also posted an influx of fan posts on other social media websites.
One person posted on X: ‘Thank you naya rivera for giving us santana lopez, one of the greatest, most impactful lesbian characters i could ever look up to. it’s been 4 years without you, but you and santana will always live in my heart. fly high, angel.’
Another wrote: ‘She fought for LGBTQ+ representation through Santana and Brittany’s relationship, and for many, it was the first portrayal they saw, and what made them comfortable to be themselves.’
A third fan added: ‘She made me understand that it’s okay to love whoever you want to love. I’m glad I had the privilege of having her as an LGBTQ+ representation on screen throughout my childhood,’ one person wrote on ‘X’.
Singer Demi Lovato, who played Ms Rivera’s girlfriend in four episodes of Glee, said her castmate’s portrayal was ‘groundbreaking’ for both ‘closeted’ and ‘open’ queer girls alike ‘and your ambition and accomplishments were inspiring to Latina women all over the world.’