For the first time since his ex-wife’s tragic passing, actor Ryan Dorsey has made a statement following the death of actress Naya Rivera. As Mamas Uncut previously reported, Rivera passed away earlier this month, on July 8, while boating with her and Dorsey’s young son, 4-year-old Josey.
As authorities have gathered based on conversations they had with the young boy, he and his mom had rented the boat and were sailing on Lake Piru in Ventura County, California when they hopped in the water for a swim. It’s believed that because the boat wasn’t anchored down, Rivera and Josey had to swim back to the boat after jumping off of it.
Rivera managed to muster enough energy to get back to the boat and help Josey on to. But as Josey told authorities when he turned back to look for his mom, she had begun to sink under the water and never surfaced. The mom’s body was found five days after she went missing.
As a result of her passing, thousands of people have publicly mourned the loss of the beloved and talented performer, including the many people she has worked with over the years. Now, the father of her child, Ryan Dorsey, whom she divorced in 2018, is making his first statement.
“This is so unfair,” Ryan Dorsey said of Rivera’s Passing.
Along with a photo of Rivera holding their little boy, Dorsey began his Instagram post by saying, “This is so unfair.” He continued saying, “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.”
Dorsey then thanked everyone who had reached out to offer their love and support. “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.”
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Naya, may you rest in peace. Your son has a wonderful father who will give him all the love and care he needs and will fill him with wonderful memories of you.