KEY POINTS

  • Naya Rivera posted a selfie and a heartbreaking message five days before she went missing in Lake Piru
  • Her son was found alone and sleeping on a boat on Wednesday evening
  • Authorities announced Thursday that the actress is presumed to have drowned in the lake

“Glee” star Naya Rivera shared a heartbreaking message on social media just days before disappearing at a lake in Southern California on Wednesday evening.

On Instagram, the 33-year-old shared a photo of herself wearing a white top and hoop earrings. The selfie, along with its haunting caption, was posted just five days before Rivera vanished from Lake Piru in Ventura County, California during a boat trip with her 4-year-old son.

“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,” Rivera wrote.

Authorities launched a search and rescue for the actress after her 4-year-old son Josey was found alone in a boat. However, Deputy Chris Dyer of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office announced during a news conference on Thursday that Rivera is presumed dead and efforts have now shifted to recovery.

"We're presuming that an accident happened and we're presuming she drowned in the lake," Dyer said, CNN reported.

"The goal is still to bring Miss Rivera home to her family," he added.

Dyer also revealed that Rivera had been in Lake Piru before.

According to a Page Six report, Rivera rented the watercraft on Wednesday at around 1 p.m.

Another spokesman for the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, Capt. Eric Buschow, previously said that Rivera's son was found sleeping on the boat alone but was wearing a life jacket. However, Rivera reportedly didn’t wear one since another life jacket was left behind.

"We’re going on the belief that she did go in the water and we have not been able to locate her. So this may well be a case of drowning," Buschow said of Rivera’s case.

The little boy told authorities that his mom went swimming but did not come back up. Rivera is believed to have drowned in the lake that’s 56 miles of Los Angeles, another Page Six report stated.

Lake Piru is allegedly notorious for claiming lives in recent years because of its chilly waters that can shock swimmers. Strong winds in the 1,200-acre reservoir can also be enough to capsize a boat.

The lake’s former parks and recreation services manager, Douglas West, explained that during the 23 years he spent there, the body of water had drowned about 12 people. The majority of the deaths in Lake Piru were inexperienced guests who underestimated the restricted areas.

"The only thing I can emphasize is that if swimmers are around water, they need to wear a personal flotation device whether they know how to swim or not. That will save their lives," West said.

Naya Rivera is best known for her starring role in the hit TV series "Glee"
Naya Rivera is best known for her starring role in the hit TV series "Glee" GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / David Livingston