Naya Rivera’s son tried to save her—Ryan Dorsey shares what stopped him
New details emerge about Naya Rivera’s tragic drowning, her son’s attempt to save her, and Ryan Dorsey’s heartbreaking reaction to her death.
In an exclusive for People Magazine, after nearly five years of Naya Rivera’s tragic death; her ex-husband Ryan Dorsey shares new details about the incident and the impact it has had on his family. He opens up about the moment he learned of her death, describing it as a life-shattering experience.
Rivera, best known for her role as Santana Lopez on Glee, drowned in California’s Lake Piru in July 2020 after a boating trip with her son. While Josey survived, he later shared that his mother used her last moments to ensure his safety.
Josey couldn't save his mom
Josey, Naya Rivera's son, was only 4 years old at the time of the accident. Now, as a 9 years old boy, he still struggles with guilt over not being able to save his mother as he witnessed her drowning while they swam near a rental boat on Lake Piru in Ventura County, California.
"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". Ryan Dorsey mentions he has tried to reassure his child: "Buddy, that rope wasn’t going to be long enough".
Ryan Dorsey and Naya Rivera got married in 2014. Photo: USA Today
After swimming for some time, Rivera realized the boat was drifting, as it lacked an anchor or flotation devices—issues highlighted in the wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Dorsey on behalf of Josey, which was settled in 2022. She instructed Josey to swim back, and he recalled grabbing “the tanks” to pull himself around the boat. According to the incident report, Rivera drowned after exhausting herself while ensuring Josey’s safety.
“He said that the last thing she said was his name, and then she went under, and he didn’t see her anymore," Dorsey says. "It just rocks my world that he had to witness her last moments”.
Ryan Dorsey recalls the moment he learned of Naya Rivera’s Death
Dorsey was married to the “Glee” actress from 2014 to 2018, and even though they were divorced, they had a friendly co-parent relationship. He reveals that he was at the supermarket getting food for a friend's birthday barbecue when he found out about his ex-wife's missing status.
He immediately got into his car and sped the 145 miles to Lake Piru.
“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,” he says. “I just wanted to get to Josey.” After five days of searching, Rivera's body was found on July 13, in a remote part of the lake.
"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."