Late Glee star Naya Rivera is making a posthumous appearance in a new series of Netflix baking show Sugar Rush, featuring as a guest judge in one episode.
The third season of the baking contest, which will be known as Sugar Rush: Extra Sweet, premieres today in the US and UK.
Rivera features in the second episode called 'Birds of a Feather', which sees contestants compete in a series of 'avian-themed challenges'.
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According to Deadline, the reality series was filmed back in February, shortly before the coronavirus pandemic halted production across the entertainment industry.
Rivera, 33,went missing on 8 July, having disappeared while on a rented boat with her four-year-old son on Lake Piru in Ventura County, California. The little boy was found sleeping at around 4pm.
Nearly a week after her disappearance, police confirmed her body had been recovered from the lake.
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Sheriff Bill Ayub said: "Our hearts go out to Naya's many friends and fans who have been holding out hope for the last few days."
He added there is no indication of foul play or suicide.
Her family shared a statement in memory of Naya, saying: "Heaven gained our sassy angel," it went on: "While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honour her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit.
"Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter and sister."
Authorities revealed that while they may never truly know what happened last week when she disappeared, they believe they have enough information to call her a hero.
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Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said: "We know from speaking with her son, that he and Naya swam in the lake together at some point during their journey. It was during that time that her son described being helped into the boat by Naya, who boosted him onto the deck from behind.
"He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water."
He said that there are several currents that can pop up in the lake, especially in the afternoon, which is when Rivera and her four-year-old son were on Lake Piru.
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Sheriff Ayub added: "The idea perhaps being that the boat started drifting, it was unanchored, and that she mustered enough energy to get her son back onto the boat, but not enough to save herself."
Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film, Netflix