The discovery of Naya Rivera’s body early Monday in a California lake tragically coincides with the anniversary of her “Glee” co-star Cory Monteith’s death.
Rivera’s body was pulled from the waters of Lake Piru, about 56 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, exactly seven years after Monteith died of a drug overdose.
The 33-year-old played cheerleader Santana Lopez on the Fox musical comedy-drama alongside Monteith, who portrayed jock Finn Hudson until his death in 2013.
Monteith, who struggled with addiction, was found dead at a Vancouver hotel from what authorities determined was a fatal cocktail of alcohol and heroin.
On the “Glee” series, Rivera had given a rousing performance of The Band Perry song “If I Die Young” in an episode that paid tribute to Monteith’s life.
Rivera went missing last week when she rented a pontoon boat with her 4-year-old son, Josey, on the lake.
When they didn’t return the boat, a man from the rental place found her son alone, sleeping on the vessel, and the actress nowhere to be seen, authorities said.
The boy told authorities his mother went swimming in the lake but never jumped back on the boat.
Corey Monteith and Naya Rivera
A body discovered floating Monday morning in the northeastern portion of the lake, where Rivera was last seen, was confirmed to be that of the actress, law enforcement sources told TMZ.
“Glee” has been plagued by numerous tragedies and traumas, including the 2018 suicide of Mark Salling, who starred as Noah “Puck” Puckerman. His death came two months after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography.
The show’s assistant director Jim Fuller died in his sleep of suspected heart failure in 2013, and production assistant Nancy Motes committed suicide the following year.
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