Glee star Naya Rivera was declared dead on Monday (July 13), days after the actress went missing while boating in Lake Piru, California, with her 4-year-old son, Josey.
The sheriff’s tweeted earlier in the day that a body had been found. At a press conference, authorities said they were confident the body was Rivera’s and noted they did not suspect foul play nor suicide.
Following the devastating confirmation, a number of Rivera’s Glee co-stars took to social media to mourn the loss of their friend. Jane Lynch, who played coach Sue Sylvester in the Fox musical comedy, wrote, “Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were. Love and peace to your family.”
Chris Colfer, who played Kurt Hummel, shared a heartfelt tribute alongside a smiling black-and-white photo of himself and Rivera. “Her brilliance and humor were unmatched,” he wrote. “Her beauty and talent were otherworldly. She spoke truth to power with poise and fearlessness. She could turn a bad day into a great day with a single remark. She inspired and uplifted people without even trying. Being close to her was both a badge of honor and a suit of armor. Naya was truly one of a kind, and she always will be.”
A number of other stars, including Bebe Rexha and Kehlani, also shared condolences on social media. See below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCmjh86hNsF/
She was bold. She was outrageous. She was a LOT of fun.
Naya made me laugh like no one else on that set. I always said it while we were working together and I’ve maintained it ever since. Her playful, wicked sense of humor never ceased to bring a smile to my face.
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) July 14, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCmPW-Oje1q/
Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were. Love and peace to your family.
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) July 13, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCmfPAyDEpR/
My Naya, my Snixxx, my Bee. I legitimately can not imagine this world without you. pic.twitter.com/qX9t1Uhx01
— Kevin McHale (@druidDUDE) July 14, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCmW_cag1dG/?utm_source=ig_embed
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCm0ggvBHH1/
RIP Naya. pic.twitter.com/RG0T4NQYO2
— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) July 14, 2020
Hey, July 13th….🖕
— Max Adler (@Mr_Max_Adler) July 13, 2020
This is absolutely heartbreaking. Sending love and holding space for her son and loved ones. https://t.co/7RkKnj4xU7
— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) July 13, 2020
Kristin Chenoweth shares emotional tribute to Naya Rivera. 🙏pic.twitter.com/1opDZdcgw6
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 15, 2020
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) July 13, 2020
💔 Naya, you will be missed so much. 😞
— Josh Sussman (@JoshSussman) July 13, 2020
the reason songbird by fleetwood mac is one of my favorite songs ever is because of the glee soundtrack version. she transformed it. 🙏🏼 Rest Easy Naya Rivera
God cover and hold her loved ones!— Kehlani (@Kehlani) July 13, 2020
Beautiful memories boricua. RIP. pic.twitter.com/mhqUEJh8rq
— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) July 14, 2020
Beautiful Naya Rivera, Rest In Peace. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones. You will be missed & never forgotten. ❤️
— Becky G. (@iambeckyg) July 13, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCmNWg1p1fw/?utm_source=ig_embed
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCmPUvIFrKQ/
Rest In Peace and power, Naya. 😔💔
— Janel Parrish Long (@JanelParrish) July 13, 2020
This is an absolute nightmare. I had the pleasure of having dinner with her once after a recording session we did together and she was an absolute sweetheart. My heart goes out to her family and friends. I hope I’m lucky enough to meet you up in heaven. Rest In Peace Naya Rivera
— Bebe Rexha (@BebeRexha) July 13, 2020
Absolutely devastating news about Naya Rivera. Beautiful inside and out. You will be missed greatly. RIP Naya. Thoughts with all her friends and family at this awful time.
— Max George (@MaxGeorge) July 13, 2020
Just unbelievable. Grateful to have known you and worked with you and your talent. RIP Naya. ❤️
— Damian Mc Ginty (@damianmcginty) July 13, 2020
Naya Rivera will be missed so much by so many. She was a friend of GLAAD and even hosted the GLAAD Media Awards twice. She was kind, gracious, and personally used her platforms and voice to tell LGBTQ youth that they are loved. Our hearts are with her loved ones.💔 pic.twitter.com/FBL2wy6PQm
— GLAAD (@glaad) July 13, 2020
Prayers for Naya Rivera's family. Man….can we have a "Do Over " of 2020. The loss is too much 💔💔🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/63iNdRikv5
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) July 13, 2020