Naya Rivera's family pay tribute to "sassy angel"

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 3d

The family of Glee actress Naya Rivera issue their first statement following the tragic confirmation of her death.

The family of Naya Rivera have issued a statement following the confirmation that the actress tragically lost her life a week ago.

The 33-year-old drowned while swimming with her young son Josey in Lake Piru near Los Angeles last Wednesday, although her fate was not confirmed until a search team located her body on Monday.

Rivera's family - including mother Yolanda, father George, brother Mychal and sister Nickayla - visited the lake to pray while the search was ongoing and have now put out a message through Naya's publicist.

"We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey and our family over the past week," they said. "While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honor her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit. Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter and sister.

"Thank you to the men and women of the Ventura, Tulare, and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Departments for your commitment and unwavering effort to find Naya. We extend endless gratitude and ovation to the heroine who found her. Thank you to her friends, colleagues, and fans for your continuous support.

"Heaven gained our sassy angel. We kindly request that our privacy be respected during this very difficult time."

The creators of Rivera's show Glee have pledged to launch a college fund to support Josey through his education.