The Tragic Loss of Naya Rivera: Five Years Later
This summer marks a somber milestone: five years since the tragic death of Glee star Naya Rivera, who drowned during a boating trip with her young son, Josey. The incident occurred on July 8, 2020, at Lake Piru in Ventura County, California. Rivera, who was just 33 years old at the time of her death, was a beloved actress, singer, and mother. Her sudden passing sent shockwaves through her family, friends, and fans, leaving behind a void that still feels deeply felt today.
Josey’s Struggle with Grief and Guilt
Josey, now nine years old, was only four when he lost his mother. Rivera’s ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, has opened up about how their son has grappled with the loss. In a recent interview with People, Dorsey revealed that Josey has repeatedly expressed feelings of guilt and trauma tied to the incident. The young boy has shared vivid memories of trying to save his mother, including a heartbreaking detail about a life raft. “Something he’s said over and over is that he was trying to find a life raft, and there was a rope, but there was a big spider on the rope, and he was too scared to throw it,” Dorsey shared. He has reassured Josey that the rope wouldn’t have made a difference, but the memory clearly still weighs heavily on the child’s mind.
Ryan Dorsey’s Theory on Naya’s Death
Ryan Dorsey has also shared his thoughts on how Naya might have drowned. He believes it was a tragic accident, suggesting that she may have been caught in a brush or an undercurrent near the dam. “It was just a freak occurrence,” he remarked. The randomness of the event has made it difficult for both him and Josey to come to terms with the loss. Dorsey admitted that the grief was so overwhelming in the immediate aftermath that he lost 40 pounds and still struggles to look at pictures of Rivera.
Finding Stability After Tragedy
In the years following Rivera’s death, Dorsey and Josey have worked to rebuild their lives. Dorsey, who had ended his marriage to Rivera before her death but remained committed to co-parenting, took steps to shield Josey from the intense media scrutiny. They temporarily relocated to West Virginia, Dorsey’s home state, to escape the spotlight. Upon returning to Los Angeles, Rivera’s sister, Nickayla, moved in with them for a year to help care for Josey. Dorsey described her support as invaluable, noting that she brought a sense of consistency and comfort to their lives. At times, he said, Nickayla’s interactions with Josey were so reminiscent of Rivera that it felt almost surreal.
Balancing Work and Fatherhood
As time has passed, Dorsey has learned to navigate his dual role as a working father and a grieving parent. He shared that Josey, now nine years old, sometimes asks questions about his mother that are difficult to answer. To help Josey process his emotions, they created a memory book filled with photos and mementos of Rivera, which sits by Josey’s bed. During the holidays, Josey was overcome with emotion while looking through the book, a poignant reminder of the ongoing impact of his loss. Dorsey explained that in such moments, all he can do is offer comfort and honesty: “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.’”
Moving Forward with Love and Memories
Five years after Naya Rivera’s tragic death, her family continues to honor her memory while learning to live with the ache of her absence. Ryan Dorsey has been open about the challenges of raising Josey alone, but he is determined to give their son a stable and loving home. Through the support of loved ones and the creation of meaningful rituals, like the memory book, Josey is being guided through his grief. Naya’s legacy lives on not only in her body of work but also in the resilience and strength of her son. As Josey grows older, he will undoubtedly carry his mother’s memory with him, finding ways to navigate the complexities of life while holding onto the love they shared.
