Naya Rivera: the creators of 'Glee' enlist a university fund for the actress's 4-year-old son

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(CNN) - The creators of "Glee" are preparing a university fund for the 4-year-old son of Naya Rivera.

The actress' body was recovered from Lake Piru in Ventura County, California, on Monday, days after she disappeared during a boat trip with her son, Josey.

An autopsy performed by the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office ruled that she died as a result of drowning.

Paying tribute to Rivera in a joint statement, "Glee" producers Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan said of the 33-year-old actress that it was a "joy to write for her, a joy to direct her and a joy to be around she".

"The three of us are currently in the process of creating a university fund for the beautiful son that Naya loved more than anything," they added.

Rivera portrayed the openly gay entertainer Santana López in the Fox musical comedy drama, which quickly gained critical acclaim after her 2009 debut. She appeared in almost every episode of the show, which ended in 2015.

Although Rivera was not initially hired as a cast member, "It didn't take us more than an episode or two to realize that we had been fortunate enough to find one of the most talented special stars we would have the pleasure to work with," continued the producer statement.

The trio also recognized the impact of Rivera's character on the LGBTQ + community, as well as "humor and humanity" that he brought to Santana's relationship with Brittany, played by Heather Morris.

“Naya always made sure that Santana's love for Brittany was expressed with dignity, strength and with pure intent. Naya was always moved by the girls who approached her to tell her how much the love of Santana and Brittany affected them. ”

Murphy, Falchuk and Brennan signed saying: "Our hearts go out to his family, especially his mother, Yolanda, who was a big part of the Glee family, and their son Josey."

On Monday morning, members of the cast of "Glee" joined Rivera's friends for a tribute at Piru Lake.

The group was photographed holding hands and looking across the lake as they shouted, "Say her name: Naya."

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