Ryan Dorsey Shares Heartbreaking Details of Naya Rivera's Final Moments and Life After Her Tragic Passing.

The tragic death of 33-year-old Glee star Naya Rivera shocked the world in 2020, when she drowned while trying to save her son, Josey, at Lake Piru in California. At just four years old, Josey was the last person to see his mother before she passed away. He later shared with authorities that she had helped him climb onto the boat's deck but unfortunately lacked the strength to save herself, as reported by local police at the time.

Now, Rivera’s ex-boyfriend and Josey’s father, Ryan Dorsey, 41, has opened up about the heartbreaking final moments before the actress drowned. Dorsey revealed, "The last thing she said was Josey's name, and then she went under, and he didn't see her anymore." He further shared that his son had initially been scared to get in the water, but Rivera reassured him, saying, "Don't be silly!" Josey also recalled trying to find a life raft, but a rope with a spider on it scared him. Dorsey added, "I keep reassuring him, 'buddy, that rope wasn't going to be long enough.'" He said, “It just rocks my world that he had to witness her last moments.”

Dorsey also shared the emotional moment he found out Rivera was missing. He was in a supermarket when he received the news from her stepfather. “I fell against a stack of drinks. I was terrified of what might have happened,” he said. Without hesitation, Dorsey drove 145 miles to Lake Piru, recalling, “I drove 100-and-something the whole way with my four-way hazards on, chain-smoking cigarettes - and I don't even smoke, really - and just crying. I just wanted to get to Josey. If we'd have lost both Naya and Josey, I don't know how I would continue on with my life."

Ryan Dorsey with Josey (@dorseyryan Instagram)

Josey was eventually found asleep and alone on an adrift pontoon boat that Rivera had rented hours before. Dorsey reflected, “I don’t know what I would've done, but I'm sure it wouldn't have been good.” The search for Rivera ended on July 13, when her body was found in a secluded part of the lake. Dorsey mentioned that as time passed, Josey began to remember more details about that tragic day.

Dorsey later filed a wrongful-death lawsuit for Josey against Ventura County, which was settled in 2022. The lawsuit highlighted the lack of anchor and flotation devices on the boat that Rivera had rented. According to Dorsey, Rivera instructed Josey to swim back after the boat began drifting, and she tragically wore herself out while trying to get him back on board. The incident report indicated that Rivera drowned after exerting herself too much during the rescue attempt.

After Rivera’s funeral, Dorsey brought Josey to his home state of West Virginia to shield him from the media frenzy. When they returned to Los Angeles, Rivera’s younger sister, Nickayla, moved in with them for nearly a year to provide support. Dorsey described her as a “big help” during the difficult time. “She held it down and kept that consistency. It was very surreal sometimes because the way she would say things to Josey would sound like his mom,” he said.

Though Rivera and Dorsey had an on-and-off relationship, he admits, “Whenever we were apart, she was always on my mind.” He reflected on the bond they shared, stating, “She was someone I could see myself marrying because we shared such a playful connection and truly understood one another.”

Ryan Dorsey with Josey (@dorseyryan Instagram)

Their relationship had its ups and downs. In 2014, after Rivera ended her engagement with rapper Big Sean, her romance with Dorsey reignited. However, in 2016, their relationship hit a rough patch, and Rivera filed for divorce. She later withdrew the filing, but in 2017, she was arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery for allegedly striking Dorsey. Shortly after the incident, Rivera filed for divorce again, but the charges were dropped at Dorsey’s request.

Since Rivera’s passing, Dorsey has struggled to balance his role as a father with his career. He explained, "I’m trying to be the best parent that I can be and raise a good little man." As Josey begins to ask difficult questions about his mother’s death, Dorsey finds comfort in his son. “He gives me a reason to keep going with my life,” he said. Despite the heartache, Dorsey remains focused on raising his son and ensuring that Josey grows up with love and support.

Through his pain and loss, Dorsey’s unwavering devotion to his son is evident. The tragedy of losing Naya Rivera continues to impact him, but his love for Josey serves as a driving force to navigate life after such a devastating loss.

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