Naya Rivera’s devastated ex-husband pays tribute to the actress

By Press Association

July 26 2020, 2:45am

Naya Rivera’s devastated ex-husband has paid tribute to the actress after she accidentally drowned during a boating trip with their four-year-old son (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

Naya Rivera’s devastated ex-husband has broken his silence and paid tribute to the actress after she accidentally drowned during a boating trip with their four-year-old son.

The former Glee star, 33, went missing at Lake Piru in Southern California on July 8. Her body was recovered on July 13.

Actor Ryan Dorsey, 37, was married to Rivera for four years from 2014 and is father to their son Josey Hollis, who was found unharmed on a rented boat after his mother disappeared.

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This is so unfair…there's not enough words to express the hole left in everyone's hearts. I can't believe this is life now. I don't know if I'll ever believe it. You were just here… We were just in the back swimming with Josey the day before. Life just isn't fair. I don't know what to say…I'm thankful for our times and our journey that brought us together and gave us the sweetest and kindest smart little boy we could ever hope for. I remember sometimes you used to get annoyed at me: "Ryan can you stop snap chatting!" Haha. I'm glad I didn't listen to you because I have hundreds and probably thousands of snaps and videos that Josey will have forever and know his momma loved him more than life, and how much fun we had together as he was growing up. Life is all about good times and bad times but with Josey it makes the bad a little less so because a part of you will always be with us. He'll never forget where he came from. We miss you. We will always love you. Love you Meep. 🖤💔🖤 ♥️ To everyone that reached out and I haven't had a chance to or just didn't get back to you…thank you all for the overwhelming love and support you've sent our way. I'll just say in closing, be kind to yourself, be kind to others, forgive…forget…don't hold grudges….if you have nothing nice to say maybe try not to say anything. There's peace in silence. Time on Earth is precious and you just never know….you never know what could happen. Hold your loved ones close, and cherish the times you have with those you care about. ♥️
A post shared by dorseyryan (@dorseyryan) on Jul 25, 2020 at 1:31pm PDT

Speaking publicly about her death for the first time, Dorsey said “I can’t believe this is life now”.

Alongside a picture of Rivera cradling Josey, he wrote on Instagram: “This is so unfair…there’s not enough words to express the hole left in everyone’s hearts. I can’t believe this is life now. I don’t know if I’ll ever believe it.

“You were just here… We were just in the back swimming with Josey the day before. Life just isn’t fair. I don’t know what to say…I’m thankful for our times and our journey that brought us together and gave us the sweetest and kindest smart little boy we could ever hope for.”

Dorsey added: “I remember sometimes you used to get annoyed at me: ‘Ryan can you stop snap chatting!’ Haha.

“I’m glad I didn’t listen to you because I have hundreds and probably thousands of snaps and videos that Josey will have forever and know his momma loved him more than life, and how much fun we had together as he was growing up.

“Life is all about good times and bad times but with Josey it makes the bad a little less so because a part of you will always be with us. He’ll never forget where he came from. We miss you. We will always love you. Love you Meep.”

Dorsey thanked those who had been in touch to offer support for the family and urged people to “be kind to yourself, be kind to others, forgive…forget…don’t hold grudges….if you have nothing nice to say maybe try not to say anything”.

Police believe Rivera may have become exhausted while swimming in the lake. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office declared her death an accidental drowning.