KEY POINTS

  • Ryan Dorsey took to Instagram to post a photo of Rivera cradling their 4-year-old son, Josey
  • He said that there are not enough words to express the hole she left in everyone's hearts.
  • Dorsey and Rivera split in 2018 and had joint custody of Josey

Naya Rivera’s ex-husband has penned a heart-wrenching essay following the “Glee” star’s drowning death in a California lake.

Ryan Dorsey took to Instagram on Saturday, July 25, to post a photo of Rivera cradling their 4-year-old son, Josey.

He paid tribute to Rivera by writing, "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," he continued.

Dorsey, 38, also thanked people for reaching out to him.

"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," he wrote.

Rivera was last seen July 8 after she went on a boat ride in Lake Piru with Josey. Hours later, the 4-year-old was found alone on the vessel. The 33-year-old star’s body was recovered from the lake July 13. The cause of death was confirmed as drowning by accident.

Dorsey and Rivera split in 2018 and had joint custody of Josey.

US actress Naya Rivera had posted a photo of her and son Josey Hollis Dorsey on social media shortly before she disappeared
US actress Naya Rivera with son Josey. AFP / Chris Delmas