Naya Rivera's final act was to 'muster enough energy' to save her son's life

During last night's press conference at Lake Piru, officials from Ventura County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the body they had recovered earlier in the day was that of actress Naya Rivera.

Sheriff Bill Ayub said yesterday:

"Today our search teams recovered a body in the lake. Based on the location where the body was found, physical characteristics of the body, clothing found on the body, and the physical condition of the body - as well as the absence of any other persons reported missing in the area - we are confident that the body found is that of Naya Rivera."

Officials added that "she was found in a north-eastern portion of the lake, near the surface of the water".

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The Sheriff added that in her final moments, Naya was able to "muster enough energy" to save her son's life, but not her own:

"The idea perhaps being that the boat started drifting, it was unanchored, and that she mustered enough energy to get her son back onto the boat, but not enough to save herself."

Ayub also said that Naya's four-year-old son was able to help detectives with their investigation, as he recalled their final moments together. Ayub said:

"We know from speaking with her son that he and Naya swam in the lake together at some point during their journey. it was during that time that she's son described being helped into the boat by Naya, who boosted him into the boat from behind. 

"He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water."

Yesterday, ABC 7 captured footage of several of Naya's family members standing hand-in-hand on the shore of Lake Piru shortly after the police made the heartbreaking announcement.

A source told PEOPLE that Heather Morris - who played Rivera's love interest on Glee - was among the cast members from the hit musical show to join Naya's family gathered at the side of the lake.

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Co-stars Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, and Kevin McHale were also reportedly there to offer their support.

Rivera - who played cheerleader Santana Lopez in the beloved show - had reportedly rented a pontoon boat with her four-year-old son on Wednesday afternoon (July 8) and ventured out onto the lake, located in Ventura County, California.

Approximately three hours later, fellow boaters discovered the boat drifting in the water with just her son asleep inside.

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Police have said that they do not suspect foul play and that there is no indication of suicide. A post-mortem examination will follow.

Rivera started her career in the spotlight as a child actress and model, appearing in TV commercials in the US.

At four years old, she landed the role in the CBS sitcom The Royal Family - and had a number of other TV appearances followed.

However, Rivera became a household name when she landed the role of cold-hearted cheerleader Santana Lopez in Glee back in 2009.

Rivera married fellow actor Ryan Dorsey back in 2014, and the couple welcomed their son - Josey Hollis Dorsey - in 2015.

The couple divorced in 2018, but maintained joint custody of their son up until Rivera's passing.

Our thoughts go out to Naya's family, friends, and fans at this time...