Naya Rivera's distraught ex Ryan Dorsey can't imagine raising son Josey without her: 'He has barely slept'
'Glee' star Naya Rivera drowned in Lake Piru on July 8 where she had gone boating with her four-year-old son Josey. The two had gone to the lake, which is located around 56 miles from Los Angeles. Rivera's autopsy confirmed that the actress had died by drowning and that there was no indication of drugs or alcohol in her system at the time of her death.
Rivera's ex-husband Ryan Dorsey, father to Rivera's 4-year-old son Josey, is devastated by the tragic news. A source told PEOPLE, "Ryan has barely slept." "It’s just a nightmare. Although he wasn’t with Naya, it’s Josey’s mom. Josey needs his mom," the source added. "Ryan can’t imagine raising Josey without Naya. It’s the most devastating situation." Dorsey and Rivera had been married between the years 2014 and 2018.
Authorities have revealed that they believe Rivera died saving Josey. According to the sheriff’s department, Rivera had rented the boat around 1 pm. Three hours later, a boater found the child by himself on the boat. Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub spoke at a news conference and revealed, "We know from speaking with her son, that he and Naya swam in the lake together at some point during their journey."
"It was during that time that her son described being helped into the boat by Naya, who boosted him onto the deck from behind. He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water," Ayub added. "The idea perhaps being that the boat started drifting, it was unanchored, and that she mustered enough energy to get her son back onto the boat, but not enough to save herself," Ayub continued.
A day before Rivera's body was found, Dorsey was seen at the lake. He had even gone into the water along with Rivera's family which included her father George, as seen in pictures that were obtained by TMZ.
The insider continued, "Since Naya disappeared, Ryan and Josey have spent every day with Naya's family. They are all supporting each other while also taking care of Josey." We had earlier reported that Rivera's autopsy states, "The circumstances and visual characteristics all indicated that the body was that of Naya Rivera and the identity has been confirmed by dental comparison. The autopsy findings are consistent with drowning and the condition of the body is consistent with the time that she was submerged. No traumatic injuries or disease processes were identified at autopsy." "There is no indication from the investigation or examination that drugs or alcohol played a role in the decedent's death, but specimens will be submitted for toxicology testing," the autopsy added.
It has also been reported that Lake Piru, where Rivera drowned, is said to be notorious for drownings given its dangerous conditions. According to the Los Angeles Times, around seven people drowned between 1994 and 2000. The parks and recreation service manager Douglas West had said at the time of the 2000 article that he had counted at least a dozen drownings over his 23 years of work.