Naya Rivera: Frantic search resumes after Glee star reported missing and feared dead on Lake Piru after son found alone

Naya Rivera is reported missing on Lake Piru in California. Photo / Instagram@nayarivera

The search for missing Glee actress Naya Rivera has resumed on a Southern California lake as authorities attempt to piece together what happened to the popular star and author.

Rivera star was reported missing, feared dead on Thursday after her young son, Josey, was found asleep, alone and adrift on a pontoon boat on Lake Piru, a reservoir located in Los Padres National Forest in California.

Authorities are now said to be treating the case as a potential drowing and the search began at first light.

Josey was found wearing a life vest and is said to have told authorities he and his mother went swimming earlier in the day but Naya failed to return to the boat.

Rivera's son was discovered by another boater three hours after she had rented the craft.

Rivera's vehicle, a black Mercedes G Wagon, was later found in the car park with her handbag inside.

The Ventura County Sheriff, who is manning the search operation, confirmed the search had resumed as the sun rose above the Topatopa Mountains.

The lake will be closed to the public as dive teams have been called in to help with the frantic search. No other details have yet been released by officials.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department Capt. Eric Buschow, told the LA Times Josey was "in good health" following the ordeal.

"The family is going through a very traumatic time right now," Capt. Buschow said, later telling NBC LA: "This is considered to be a horrible accident."

He said they were able to confirm Naya's identity after finding her wallet on-board the boat.

The search for Naya Rivera will continue this morning at Lake Piru. The lake will be closed to the public while search operations continue. Dive teams from throughout the region will be assisting us through mutual aid. @VCAirUnit @Cal_OES @fillmoresheriff pic.twitter.com/q6LsHd8xaT

— Ventura Co. Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) July 9, 2020

The actress recently posted a message on her social media accounts, eerily writing that "tomorrow is not promised" along with a selfie.

"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," the star posted to her 1.5 million Twitter followers last Friday.

Rivera was pictured out and about with her son in Los Feliz, California just last week, wearing a grey mask and matching cap and shirt as she ran errands with her little boy.

The mask included the message: "If you are reading this you are too close!"

Rivera's life took a turn in late 2017 after she was arrested on domestic battery in 2017 against her ex-husband, actor Ryan Dorsey, who is the father of her child.

Dorsey claimed that Rivera struck him in the head and face, and hours after the alleged incident, her emotional court appearance was caught on camera for the world to see.

The charge was dropped after Dorsey told prosecutors he didn't want to proceed.

Rivera had been arrested after an altercation during which she allegedly hit her husband at their West Virginia home. Law enforcement said at the time that alcohol was a factor in the incident.

E! reported that "Naya's friends and family (were) very concerned for her wellbeing" following the explosive incident.

The pair were married in 2014 but finalised their divorce in 2018 and share joint custody of their four-year-old son.

Glee has been plagued by controversy, heartbreak and scandal, earning it the title of the "Glee curse".

Glee's leading male Cory Monteith, who played Finn, died of a drug overdose in 2013 at the age of 31.

His co-star, Mark Salling, also another series favourite in the role of Puck, killed himself in January 2018. He was 35.

Salling, who Rivera briefly dated, was awaiting sentencing on child pornography charges at the time of his death.