Heather Morris asks to join search for Naya Rivera and admits to feeling ‘helpless’ days after she disappeared
GLEE star Heather Morris asked authorities to join the search for Naya Rivera.
She admitted to feeling “helpless” in the days after the actress disappeared.
Heather tweeted the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office: “My name is Heather Morris, I’m Nayas close friend and co-worker, and I’m trying to conduct an on foot search and rescue mission along with a small group of friends at Lake Piru.
“I understand your team is doing EVERYTHING in their power, but we are feeling helpless, powerless and want to help in any way.
“I have left a message with the department of Rescue and Air today, and I will call again tomorrow. Thank you.”
Heather’s tweet followed the sheriff department updating followers on the case writing: “Today’s search operation at Lake Piru is winding down.
“The mission will resume Sunday morning in the ongoing effort to locate Naya Rivera.”
The 33-year-old actress and mom is presumed dead after vanishing from a boat on Lake Piru in Ventura County, California on Wednesday.
However, authorities affirmed Naya’s disappearance is nothing more than a tragic accident.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Kevin Donoghue told People: “We interviewed her son and there was nothing that we learned from her son that would have suggested that this was suicide.
“Everything that we’ve learned so far leads to this being some sort of water recreational accident.
“To say definitively what actually happened, we really can’t say. We just don’t know, it’s a mystery.”
Sergeant Donohue went on: “We’re still investigating, we’re still searching. We’re trying to uncover clues as we go.
“But so far, we really don’t have a lot of information to make any guesses as to what could have happened.”
He also noted it’s not yet known whether Josey climbed back into the boat himself, or if Naya helped him back in.
He revealed: “I know she was in the water. I don’t know if she helped him back on the boat. That I don’t know.”
On Wednesday, Josey, was found alone sleeping on the pontoon boat three hours after he and his mother set out on the water together around 1pm.
The little boy was spotted shortly before 5pm by a boat rental company worker, who alerted authorities.
The sheriff’s office later said this “may well be a case of drowning.”
Yesterday, Naya’s mom, Yolanda Rivera, was pictured kneeling in front of the lake where her daughter is believed to have drowned
Naya’s ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, joined the emotional scenes, wading through the water in tears.
He was reunited with Naya’s dad, George Rivera and her brother Mychal, who entered the water fully clothed in attempt to reach the missing star.
Together, the family took a boat out onto the water in search of Naya.
On Thursday, officials switched their mission from search and rescue to a recovery operation.
The Lake Piru Recreation Area, located about 55 miles northwest of Los Angeles, features boat rentals, kayak, and paddleboarding.
The 1,200-acre reservoir with a 12-mile shoreline in Los Padres National Forest has been the site of numerous drownings over the years.
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Last week Heather Morris, who starred as Brittany S. Pierce on Glee, wrote on Instagram: “We need all the prayers we can get to bring our Naya back home to us.
“We need your love and light.”
Actor Iqbal Theba, who played Principal Figgins, shared a link to a news article about his friend, adding: “Oh God… mercy… please…”
Costar Harry Shum Jr. just wrote: “Praying.”
Chord Overstreet added: “Love and hug on the people you can, while you can. I love you. Everyone please send out your prayers.”
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