Ryan Dorsey Speaks Out About Naya Rivera’s Death and Their Son’s Journey
Actor Ryan Dorsey, the ex-husband of the late actress Naya Rivera, has opened up about the tragic loss of his former wife and how he and their son, Josey, are navigating life without her. Nearly five years after Rivera’s death, Dorsey shared his emotional journey in an interview with Good Morning America’s Matt Gutman. The interview, which aired on Wednesday morning, provided a raw and heartfelt glimpse into Dorsey’s experience of losing Rivera and raising their now-9-year-old son.
On July 8, 2020, Dorsey’s life changed forever when he received a devastating call: Rivera, who had been on a boat outing with Josey at Lake Piru in Southern California, had gone missing. The 4-year-old Josey was found alone on the boat, wearing a life jacket and asleep. Dorsey recounted the surreal moment, stating, “It was very surreal, it didn’t make sense.” He immediately knew the gravity of the situation when he heard that Josey was safe but Rivera was nowhere to be found. “I just remember him saying Josey’s OK but they can’t find her, and immediately I knew what that meant,” he said. The search that followed was grueling, with helicopters and rescue teams scouring the lake, and Rivera’s body wasn’t recovered until five days later, on July 13, 2020.
Dorsey described the overwhelming panic and stress of those five days, calling it an experience he wouldn’t wish on anyone. He recalled racing to Santa Clarita, driving at 110 miles per hour, and breaking the news to his parents. “The only thing you can do is cry,” he admitted. The loss was compounded by the unimaginable thought of what could have been if he had been on the boat with Rivera and Josey. In a bittersweet reflection, Dorsey shared, “I would have probably done the same thing. We would’ve all jumped in. Part of me thinks I would’ve been able to save the day… But then Josey doesn’t have two parents.”
Despite the pain, Dorsey and Josey are finding ways to keep Rivera’s memory alive. Dorsey expressed gratitude that Josey still has memories of his mother, noting that Rivera’s presence on television ensures she will “live on forever.” Josey, now 9, is even taking piano lessons—a nod to Rivera, who had always regretted not continuing her own piano studies. “I said, ‘Your mom would definitely have you playing,’ and I said, ‘She’s always watching you,’” Dorsey shared. These moments of connection help bridge the gap left by Rivera’s absence.
The interview also shed light on the emotional toll the tragedy has taken on Josey. Dorsey revealed that Josey has struggled to process the events of that day, often repeating a heartbreaking detail: “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 has been reassuring Josey, emphasizing that the rope wouldn’t have made a difference. Such moments highlight the complexity of grief, especially for a child.
In a recent tribute, Dorsey honored Rivera on her birthday, January 12, by sharing a heartfelt poem and a photo of the two from happier times. Though the pain of her loss still lingers, Dorsey’s words and actions demonstrate his commitment to keeping Rivera’s spirit alive for Josey. As they navigate their new reality, Dorsey and Josey continue to find strength in memories, shared experiences, and the enduring legacy of a woman who touched so many lives.
