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Home / Entertainment

Glee star Naya Rivera 'drowned in minutes', according to death certificate

news.com.au
31 Jul, 2020 12:55 AM3 mins to read

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Glee star Naya Rivera's death certificate has been released, three weeks after her body was found floating in a southern Californian lake. Photo / Supplied

Glee star Naya Rivera's death certificate has been released, three weeks after her body was found floating in a southern Californian lake. Photo / Supplied

The tragic details of Glee star Naya Rivera's death have been confirmed.

The 33-year-old actress' death certificate was released on Thursday, more than three weeks after her body was found floating in Lake Piru in southern California.

According to the document, issued in Ventura County, Rivera drowned "in minutes". She had no underlying ailments, and no drugs or alcohol were found in her system.

View this post on Instagram

Always bringing the 🌞

A post shared by Naya Rivera (@nayarivera) on Mar 11, 2020 at 1:02pm PDT

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The death certificate also confirmed Rivera was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles last Friday.

An autopsy conducted earlier this month had already confirmed that the actress had accidentally drowned in the lake during a boat trip with her four-year-old son, Josey, who was found alone on the vessel hours later.

Rivera's body was located in the same area where she went missing, concealed by shrubbery.

View this post on Instagram

I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be. Happy birthday Josey! Love Mommy ❤️

A post shared by Naya Rivera (@nayarivera) on Sep 17, 2019 at 10:14am PDT

The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office said the findings from an autopsy released today determined "the cause of death is drowning and the manner of death is accident".

"The autopsy findings are consistent with a drowning and the condition of the body is consistent with the time that she was submerged," a statement from the Medical Examiner's Office said.

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Rivera's four-year-old son Josey told investigators his mother boosted him onto their rented boat after they had been swimming together before she "disappeared".

View this post on Instagram

no matter the year, circumstance, or strifes everyday you're alive is a blessing. make the most of today and every day you are given. tomorrow is not promised

A post shared by Naya Rivera (@nayarivera) on Jul 2, 2020 at 3:59pm PDT

"No traumatic injuries or disease processes were identified at autopsy," the statement added.

"There is no indication from the investigation or examination that drugs or alcohol played a role in the decedent's death."

Police believe Rivera, "mustered enough energy to get her son back onto the boat but not enough to save herself," Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said after her body was found.

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