Those closest to Naya Rivera are still completely devastated by her untimely death. It is truly crushing to know that the 33-year-old lost her life after hoping to just have a nice day out with her son. These inexplicable tragedies are heartbreaking to deal with. For Ryan Dorsey, it is especially crushing.
Ryan and Naya had a long history together. They dated briefly before Naya was famously linked with rapper Big Sean. When Naya and Sean's engagement ended, she linked back up with Ryan. Three months later, they married.
Although their marriage didn't work out, the two were doing well co-parenting 4-year-old son Josey. Regardless of the relationship between them, sources close to the situation tell People magazine that Ryan is crushed at the prospect of what comes next. He's aware of the special bond Josey and Naya shared. It breaks his heart to imagine how difficult life will be for both of them without her.
Ryan Dorsey is having a hard time coping with the loss of Naya Rivera. The two had their ups and downs but a long history together nonetheless. Naya briefly dated Ryan in 2010, but things between the two didn't work out then.
Naya went on to date Big Sean. The two would get engaged, but they never made it to the aisle. Naya and Sean had an ugly split in April 2014. After news that the engagement was called off went public, Ryan reached back out to Naya.
"By the time we sort of reconnected, I was like, 'Gosh, there's a reason why you keep coming back in my life and we keep coming back together,'" Naya wrote in her memoir Sorry Not Sorry.
Once she knew, she knew. Ryan and Naya would go on to get married that summer, which caused controversy because many people thought she had the wedding she planned with Sean but subbed in Ryan as the groom. She also shot that down in her memoir.
"Sean and I were supposed to get married in Santa Barbara, not Mexico, and Ryan and I didn't get married on the same date — we got married on Ryan's birthday. I bought a Carolina Herrera dress for my wedding with Sean and wore Monique Lhuillier when I married Ryan."
Naya and Ryan would welcome Josey in 2015. They readjusted their relationship to be a family of three. It was difficult for Naya and Ryan, who had an admittedly rough go of things. Naya would first file for divorce in November 2016, but the two wouldn't split for good until June 2018.
Naya and Ryan have shared joint custody of Josey since their split. By all accounts, Naya was an incredible mom and shared a special bond with her little boy. It's for that reason why her tragic death is so heartbreaking for those closest to her.
When authorities announced that Naya's body had been recovered from Lake Piru on Monday, they shared their theory that she died saving Josey.
"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," Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said.
"He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water," he sadly noted.
"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."
A day before her body was discovered, Ryan joined Naya's family in their search at the lake.
As people remember Naya and grieve her loss, the people closest to her are banding together.
"Since Naya disappeared, Ryan and Josey have spent every day with Naya's family," a source close to the situation told People.
"They are all supporting each other while also taking care of Josey."
Naya's family released a statement on Tuesday after her death was confirmed to be a drowning.
"We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey, and our family over the past week. While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honor her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit. Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter, and sister."
"Thank you to the men and women of the Ventura, Tulare, and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Departments for your commitment and unwavering effort to find Naya. We extend endless gratitude and ovation to the heroine who found her. Thank you to her friends, colleagues, and fans for your continuous support," they continued.
"Heaven gained our sassy angel. We kindly request that our privacy be respected during this very difficult time."
As the family copes, Ryan is struggling both on his own and in his concern for Josey. "Ryan has barely slept," the source said.
"It's just a nightmare. Although he wasn't with Naya, it's Josey's mom. Josey needs his mom."
Although this moment is heartbreaking, it will pass. However, Ryan is terrified for what lies ahead as he brings up a little boy who lost his mom.
"Ryan can't imagine raising Josey without Naya. It's the most devastating situation."
There's been no word from the Rivera or Dorsey families about any sort of services just yet. Some fans local to California have begun a makeshift memorial for Naya at Lake Piru. So many people are dealing with heavy hearts in the wake of her loss and looking for ways to celebrate her light.
