Naya Rivera's ex-husband Ryan Dorsey posts heartbreaking tribute to late Glee star

Couple were married for four years and had a son together

Naya Rivera’s ex-husband Ryan Dorsey has paid moving tribute to the late Glee star, after she drowned during a boat trip with their four-year-old son.

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

Police believe Rivera may have become exhausted while swimming in the lake. Her death was declared an accidental drowning by officials.

Dorsey, also an actor, married Rivera in 2014 and is father to their son, Josey Hollis, who was found unharmed on the rented boat after his mother’s disappearance. Dorsey and Rivera divorced in 2018.

“I can’t believe this is life now,” Dorsey said in a statement posted to Instagram. He shared a photo of Rivera cuddling Josey, and revealed that he and Josey had gone swimming with Rivera the day before she died.

“This is so unfair…there’s not enough words to express the hole left in everyone’s hearts,” he wrote. “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,” he continued.

“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,” he added.

“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 also took the time to thank those who had sent messages of support for his family.

Rivera’s former Glee co-stars Amber Riley and Chris Colfer were among those to pay tribute to the actor.