Hollywood is mourning the death of a shining star.
On Monday, July 13th, Naya Rivera was confirmed dead by authorities.
The 33-year-old actress went missing while out boating with her 4-year-old son at Lake Piru in California 5 days before her passing was announced.
According to authorities, Josey Dorsey, Rivera’s son, was found sleeping on the pontoon she rented on Wednesday, July 8. He was wearing a life vest and looked “unharmed.”
In light of Rivera’s death, many of her close friends and former castmates have expressed their grief on social media.
One of the celebrities who praised Rivera for playing the role of Santana, a queer Afro-Latina on the hit series ‘Glee’ was Demi Lovato. Lovato starred in four episodes from 2013-2014 as Santana’s new love.
“RIP Naya Rivera. I’ll forever cherish the opportunity to play your girlfriend on Glee. The character you played was groundbreaking for tons of closeted queer girls (like me at the time) and open queer girls, and your ambition and accomplishments were inspiring to Latina women all over the world. My heart goes out to your loved ones at this time,” said the “I Love Me” singer.
When Rivera’s disappearance was announced, Lovato was one of the first to speak out on social media. "Please pray for @nayarivera to be found safe and sound,"she wrote on Instagram stories.
Rivera’s groundbreaking impact for the LGBTQ+ and Latinx community will live on forever. This is how 'Glee' fans reacted on social media:
Authorities confirmed that an autopsy will be conducted to find out Rivera's cause of death.