Ryan Dorsey Reveals Josey’s Guilt Over Naya Rivera’s Death—What He Tried to Do Will Break Your Heart

Ryan Dorsey, the ex-husband of late Glee actress Naya Rivera, has opened up about their son Josey’s lingering guilt over his mother’s tragic drowning in 2020. In a recent interview, Dorsey shared an emotional revelation: Josey, who was just four years old at the time, has repeatedly expressed that he tried to help his mother but was too scared to throw her a rope.

Josey’s Memory of That Fateful Day

Dorsey revealed that Josey vividly remembers trying to save his mother as she struggled in the water at Lake Piru, California. He recalls seeing a rope on the boat and wanting to throw it to her, but a large spider on the rope frightened him, stopping him from acting.

“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. “I keep reassuring him, ‘Buddy, that rope wasn’t going to be long enough.’ That obviously still sticks out in his head because he feels like he could have saved her.”

Despite his father’s reassurances that the rope wouldn’t have made a difference, Josey continues to carry the weight of that moment.

The Tragic Day: Naya Rivera’s Final Act of Love

On July 8, 2020, Naya Rivera rented a pontoon boat for an afternoon on Lake Piru with her young son. They both went swimming, but Rivera struggled to get back to the boat due to strong currents and wind. Authorities later confirmed that she used the last of her strength to push Josey back onto the boat before disappearing beneath the water.

Josey was found alone, wearing a life jacket, asleep on the boat. A search and rescue mission was launched immediately, and Rivera’s body was recovered five days later. She was just 33 years old.

Josey’s Journey Through Grief

Now eight years old, Josey continues to process his mother’s passing in his own way. Dorsey has shared that they created a memory book filled with photos and stories about Rivera to help keep her presence alive in Josey’s life.

Despite the immense loss, Josey remains a happy and energetic child, and his father is committed to ensuring he grows up in a loving and supportive environment.

“He’s such a happy kid, but he does have those moments where he’ll ask about her,” Dorsey said. “I just try to be as honest as I can while also making sure he knows it’s okay to miss her.”

Ryan Dorsey’s Struggles with Grief

Dorsey has been open about his own grief, admitting that coming to terms with Rivera’s death has been incredibly difficult. He has described the pain of raising their son without her and the challenges of answering Josey’s questions about his mother.

“You can never really prepare for something like this,” he said. “I still struggle to understand why it happened.”

Despite the sorrow, Dorsey remains focused on honoring Rivera’s memory by raising Josey with love, kindness, and strength—qualities his mother was known for.

Honoring Naya Rivera’s Legacy

Since Rivera’s passing, her family, friends, and fans have continued to celebrate her life and career. Best known for her role as Santana Lopez on Glee, Rivera was praised for her talent, charisma, and advocacy work.

In addition to remembering Rivera through their memory book, Dorsey and Josey often reflect on happy moments they shared with her. Dorsey has also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support they have received from Rivera’s fans and loved ones.

A Message of Strength and Healing

Though the loss of Naya Rivera was devastating, both Josey and Ryan Dorsey continue to find ways to heal. Dorsey remains dedicated to helping his son navigate his emotions and ensuring he knows he is not alone.

As Josey grows older, his father hopes he will come to understand that what happened was not his fault—and that his mother’s love will always be with him.

“She was an incredible person and an even better mom,” Dorsey said. “And I want Josey to always know that.”