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'Glee' Stars Speak Out On Naya Rivera's Disappearance With Plea To Fans

'Glee' Stars Speak Out On Naya Rivera's Disappearance With Plea To Fans

Co-star Heather Morris is also trying to organise a citizen-led search.

Lucy Devine

Lucy Devine

Glee stars Amber Riley and Kevin McHale have spoken out about the disappearance of Naya Rivera.

Amber (who played Mercedes) and Kevin (Artie) asked for fans to respect Naya's family at what is an unbearable time.

Meanwhile, fellow co-star Heather Morris (Brittany) has been trying to organise a citizen-led search for the 33-year-old who went missing at Lake Piru last week.

"Show some respect. All our energy is going toward helping find Naya and praying for her safe return and for her family," said Amber.

"No one owes anyone online a performance of grief. This is very real and devastating. Focus on Naya and her family. Not us. We don't matter right now."

Meanwhile Kevin tweeted: "I cannot begin to understand what Naya's family must be feeling. I know the rest of us are completely shattered, but not without hope.

"Please respect her family & their privacy in this moment. Please refrain from judging those who don't show their pain on social media."


Meanwhile, Heather Morris has been trying to organise a citizen-led search for the actress. She has been in touch with police teams to try and establish how to to conduct a search safely.

Yesterday, she tweeted: "I have spoken to Sheriff Eric Buschow and rest assured they are using every single one of their resources to locate our Naya.


"I have full confidence that they're doing everything they can, and probably more."

She added: "Ahead that they'll allow volunteers. Understand it's 110 degrees here and if you're not highly trained in search and rescue, this could end up a much more dangerous situation for everybody involved.

"Please be kind, compassionate and caring for those who are looking for our Naya."

The search will continue today (
PA)

It comes after the Ventura County Sheriff's Department tweeted yesterday advising against people attempting to search for Naya on their own.

"For those intent on searching for Naya Rivera on your own, 1. The lake is closed. 2. Temps are already in the 90's. 3. The terrain around the lake is very steep and rugged. Our teams are well equipped and highly trained. We don't want to have to rescue you," they said.

Naya is presumed to have drowned after going missing at the lake in California last week.

Police were alerted after four-year-old son, Josey, was found asleep in a boat Naya had rented, with the actress' life jacket and purse on board. Naya was nowhere to be seen.

Amber has spoken out about Naya's disappearance (
Shutterstock)

At the time, Josey said his mum had been swimming in the lake, but never made it back into the boat.

As the search for the Glee star continues, a petition has been set up online for police to extend the recovery mission beyond the lake.

However, County Sheriff's Office sergeant, Kevin Donoghue says there is no evidence that Naya left the water.

He said: "Our first day was a rescue effort, it was a life-saving effort. We searched with people on the ground, on the shoreline. We were looking not just for her physically, we were looking for any clues, any evidence that suggested she made it to shore.

Josey was found alone in the boat (
PA)

"We didn't find any clues, any evidence that suggested she made it to shore. The most conclusive piece of evidence we're really holding on to right now is the statements from her son, the only witness.

"He observed his mother disappear beneath the water. So we are very confident she is in the water and that at some point in time we will recover her from the lake."

In efforts to find Naya, police have been dispatching diving teams, helicopters and drones. However, visibility during the daytime is approximately 8-10 inches, while debris such as trees, sticks, shrubbery and other plants make the conditions even more difficult.

The search for Naya is set to continue today.

Featured Image Credit: 20th Century Fox

Topics: Glee, Naya Rivera, News