Naya Rivera's family pay loving tribute to her as they mark one year since tragic death

Naya Rivera's family have paid a loving tribute to the actress as they mark the one year anniversary since she tragically died.

The former Glee star's body was found in Lake Piru after she went missing during a boating trip with her son Josey last summer, when she died, aged 33, from accidental drowning.

Today, Naya's younger sister Nickayla gave a heartbreaking tribute to Good Morning America.

She said the family are getting through by taking things "one day at a time".

Nickayla added: "And taking that one day at a time and living it to the fullest, loving each other to the fullest, and not regretting anything.

Naya Rivera died on July 8 2020 (Naya Rivera/Instagram)

"Because I know if we could go back, we'd hug a little bit harder."

Naya's mum, Yolanda Previtire, added: "There are no words to describe what we're going through.

"All we know is we have each other."

Yolanda also opened up on the last time she spoke to her beloved daughter, describing it as a "beautiful morning".

The actress with her son Josey (dorseyryan/Instagram)

"I missed two of her FaceTime calls, and I called her back. And we had a beautiful conversation," she reminisced.

"The sun was kissing her face and she was just beautiful. She had a white, beautiful swimming suit on and she was glowing."

Meanwhile, Naya's brother said: "One year without you, one year closer to when we will meet you again.

"Your endless energy lives on. May you continue to rest so graciously, Naya."

The Hollywood star shot to fame after playing the role of Santana Lopez in Glee.

She was best known for playing Santana Lopez in Glee (Getty Images)

Naya was nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals during her Glee stint in 2010 (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)

In her final moments, the TV star is believed to have pushed her son back on the boat and shouted "help" before sadly disappearing beneath the water.

Speaking during a press conference, Sheriff Bill Ayub explained that the pair had gone swimming in the water when tragedy struck.

Three hours after departing the shore, the youngster was found in the boat alone and wrapped in a towel.

Josey is believed to have been wearing his life jacket, and an adult-sized life jacket was found inside the boat, indicating Naya hadn't worn hers.

"She must have mustered enough energy to get her son back on the boat, but not enough to save herself," Ayub said.

Tributes from Naya's former co-stars flooded in as the showbiz world reeled from the news of her tragic death on July 8.

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