Naya Rivera’s Son’s Heartbreaking Memories Haunt Ryan Dorsey
The Trauma of Witnessing a Mother’s Passing
Tragedy struck on July 8, 2020, when "Glee" star Naya Rivera drowned in Lake Piru, leaving behind her 4-year-old son, Josey. A recent revelation from Rivera’s ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, has shed light on Josey’s profound emotional burden: he witnessed his mother’s final moments.
Dorsey, in an interview with People magazine, recounted Josey’s vivid recollections of that fateful day. The young boy’s memory is etched with the haunting details of the lake’s windy atmosphere and the fateful pontoon boat that drifted away from them.
Josey’s guilt weighs heavily on his heart as he remembers trying to find a life raft, but a large spider on the rope prevented him from throwing it. "I keep reassuring him, ‘Buddy, that rope wasn’t going to be long enough,’" Dorsey said.
Josey’s last memory of his mother is piercingly clear: "He said that the last thing she said was his name, and then she went under, and he didn’t see her anymore," Dorsey recalled. "It just rocks my world that he had to witness her last moments."
Dorsey’s Devastating Journey
At the time of Rivera’s disappearance, Dorsey was miles away in Big Bear Lake, California. The news shattered his world as he rushed to his ex-wife’s aid.
"I collapsed into a pallet of drinks," he told People. "I feared the worst."
Fueled by desperation and grief, Dorsey embarked on a harrowing 145-mile drive, "chain-smoking cigarettes — and I don’t even smoke, really — and just crying." His heart yearned for the safety of his young son.
Josey’s Miraculous Survival
While Rivera’s fate was tragic, Josey’s survival was a beacon of hope amidst the darkness. The 4-year-old somehow managed to swim back to the boat, where he was found sleeping on the pontoon three hours later by a passerby.
Dorsey expressed his gratitude for Josey’s resilience, acknowledging that losing both Naya and Josey would have been an unbearable tragedy. "I don’t know how I would continue on with my life," he said. "I don’t know what I would’ve done, but I’m sure it wouldn’t have been good."
The Blame Game and a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In the wake of Rivera’s untimely death, her estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit against various entities, including the County of Ventura, Ventura County Parks and Recreation Management, and United Water Conservation District.
The lawsuit alleged that the rental agent failed to inform Rivera of the dangerous conditions on Lake Piru, including strong currents, winds, and underwater debris. It also claimed that Rivera was offered but declined a life jacket and that the rental agent did not emphasize its importance.
The settlement of the lawsuit acknowledged the lack of information and warning provided to Rivera about the lake’s potential hazards.
Rivera’s Legacy and the Healing Process
Naya Rivera’s tragic death left an immeasurable void in the hearts of her family, friends, and admirers. Her legacy as a talented actress and beloved personality continues to inspire.
For Ryan Dorsey and Josey, the healing process is ongoing. They find solace in honoring Rivera’s memory and supporting each other through their shared grief. "The most important thing to me is that my son knows who his mom was," Dorsey said. "That’s all I really care about."
