‘Glee’ star Naya Rivera’s autopsy has confirmed the actress drowned in Lake Piru after investigators say she didn’t suffer from any ‘traumatic injuries’ and they don’t believe drugs or alcohol played any role in her death.
According to the Ventura County Medical Examiners office, Naya’s death has officially been ruled a ‘drowning’ and they have concluded the manner of her death was an ‘accident.’
On Tuesday, authorities released details of the actresses’ autopsy and confirmed through dental records that the body found in the lake was, in fact, Rivera’s.
“The body of a woman found in Lake Piru on Monday July 13, 2020 has been confirmed as Naya Marie Rivera. The cause of death is drowning, and the manner of death is accident,” a spokesperson for the ME said.
They continued, “The circumstances and visual characteristics all indicated that the body was that of Naya Rivera and the identity has been confirmed by dental comparison. The body has been x-rayed and a full autopsy has been performed.”
The Medical Examiner’s office also confirmed Naya’s cause of death was drowning. Part of the examination was to determine whether or not Naya injured herself jumping into the lake, or anything contributed to the actress not being able to get back on the boat.
“The autopsy findings are consistent with a drowning and the condition of the body is consistent with the time that she was submerged. No traumatic injuries or disease processes were identified at autopsy,” authorities said.
In other words, it appears to be a tragic freak accident.
As we reported, Ventura County Sheriff’s investigators said the ‘Glee’ star’s 4-year-old son said the two had been swimming in the lake — and after she pushed him back into the boat from behind — she never resurfaced from the water.
The Medical Examiner’s office also indicated “There is no indication from the investigation or examination that drugs or alcohol played a role in the decedent’s death, but specimens will be submitted for toxicology testing.”
As we reported, Naya’s body was found in an area of the lake which was 30-60 feet deep, and the water in the area was filled with trees and thick brush. One of the operating theories to begin was that the actress got caught in the underwater foliage.
Naya’s 4-year-old son, Josey, was found asleep on the boat hours later wrapped in a towel.
