Naya Rivera’s Ex Reveals the Tragic Detail Her Son Can’t Forget About Her Final Moments
Nearly five years after “Glee” star Naya Rivera’s tragic passing, her ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, is speaking candidly about the heartbreaking impact her death still has on their family, especially their son, Josey.
Ryan Dorsey Reflects on His Life with Naya Rivera
In an emotional exclusive interview with People, Dorsey shared deeply personal reflections about his relationship with Naya Rivera, including their plans for a future that never happened. “I wish it would’ve worked out,” he confessed. “I wish we could have worked everything out, had a few kids, lived happily ever after. But that’s not the way life works for everybody.”
The couple had an on-and-off relationship since meeting in 2010. After reconnecting following Rivera’s breakup with rapper Big Sean, they married in 2014 and welcomed their son Josey. Despite ultimately divorcing, Dorsey says the good memories outweigh the difficult times. “When things were good, they were really good,” he added.
The Painful Day Naya Rivera Drowned
On July 8, 2020, Rivera tragically drowned at Lake Piru while boating with then-4-year-old Josey. Dorsey, who was at Big Bear Lake, California, for a friend’s birthday at the time, said he “collapsed into a pallet of drinks” at a Ralph’s supermarket after hearing Rivera had gone missing. He immediately sped the 145 miles to Lake Piru, desperate to get to his son. “If we’d have lost both Naya and Josey, I don’t know how I would continue on with my life,” Dorsey said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done, but I’m sure it wouldn’t have been good.”
For five agonizing days, divers searched until they finally recovered Rivera’s body. “It was the worst five days of my life,” Dorsey recalled. “There was a fear. What if we don’t find her? It was just awful.”
Josey Remembers Naya Rivera’s Last Moments
Perhaps the most heartbreaking revelation is what Josey remembers from that tragic day. According to BuzzFeed, Josey vividly recalls the moment his mom told him, “Don’t be silly!” when he expressed fear about swimming due to windy conditions. The boat drifted away, and Rivera instructed Josey to swim back. Josey managed to get back onto the boat but remembers his mother calling his name before disappearing underwater.
“It just rocks my world that he had to witness her last moments,” Dorsey shared.
Josey has struggled with guilt, repeatedly recounting how he found a rope on the boat but was too afraid of a spider to throw it at his mother. Dorsey reassured him, “Buddy, that rope wasn’t going to be long enough.”
Moving Forward Without Naya Rivera
Even years after Rivera’s passing, reminders remain everywhere, according to Dorsey. He shared with People, “We have pictures up at the house, pictures by Josey’s bed…I still can’t really look at them.”
While time has helped, the grief remains profound. Dorsey’s primary focus now is supporting Josey. “I’m trying to be the best parent that I can be and raise a good little man,” he explained. “He gives me a reason to keep going with my life.”
Dorsey admitted it’s difficult explaining the loss to Josey because there’s no making sense of such tragedy. “I’m not a big believer in everything happens for a reason because I can’t ever think of a reason why he doesn’t have his mom,” Dorsey said. “You can only give him a hug and tell him: ‘I know, life is not fair. Bad things happen, and there’s no reason for it, and you just have to do your best to be a good person.'”
