An autopsy issued by the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled that actress Naya Rivera died as a result of drowning. The “Glee” star’s death was also ruled an accident.
The examination, performed the day after the 33-year-old’s body was found in a Southern California lake, showed no signs of traumatic injury or disease that might have contributed to the drowning, and gave no initial indication that drugs or alcohol may have played a role in her death, the Ventura County Medical Examiner said in a statement.
Rivera’s family members released their first public statement Tuesday since her disappearance, saying they are “so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey, and our family over the past week. While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honor her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit.”
The statement said Rivera was “an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter, and sister … Heaven gained our sassy angel.” The family thanked the search teams for their “commitment and unwavering effort to find Naya.”