The autopsy report of Naya Rivera, whose body was found in a California lake in July, was released on Friday.
Rivera had been swimming in the lake with her three-year-old son, Josey Dorsey, after renting a pontoon boat when she drowned. The autopsy report said, before drowning, that she had lifted Dorsey into the pontoon, raised her arm and yelled for help before being submerged, as reported by Associated Press.
The late Glee star’s body was found in California’s Lake Piru on July 14 after being reported missing five days prior.
The Ventura County Medical Examiner stated that Josey “noticed the decedent put her arm up in the air and yelled ‘help,'” before Rivera “disappeared in to the water.”
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Rivera was last seen alive when she took Josey to rent the pontoon boat to venture into the lake. The rental staff stated he gave her a single life jacket, despite the fact she declined one initially.
A search was conducted for Rivera when the boat was discovered on the lake with Josey found sleeping inside with the life jacket on. Her body was found floating atop the lake, and authorities believe her body was previously stuck in the lake’s thick vegetation under the surface.
A toxicology report indicated that Rivera had small amounts of diazepam, an anti-anxiety medication, and phentermine, an appetite suppressant, in her blood. The report said it was a therapeutic amount in her system.
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The autopsy also stated that Rivera had prior bouts of vertigo as well.
After being found in the boat, Josey was taken to his father, Rivera’s ex-husband Ryan Dorsey.
Rivera was 33 at the time of her death, and is the third actor from the Fox show, Glee, to pass away.
Actors Mark Salling, a former boyfriend of Rivera, and Cory Monteith died by suicide in 2018 and drug overdose in 2013, respectively, while in their 30s.
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