Naya Rivera’s Ex-Husband Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit On Behalf Of Son

Ryan Dorsey has filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of his and Naya Rivera's five-year-old son, Josey.

According to TMZ, the late actress' ex-husband, whom she was married to from 2014 to 2018, is suing Ventura County, California, claiming they are responsible for Naya's death because the boat she and Josey were on in Lake Piru in July did not comply with U.S. Coast Guard safety standards.

“[The boat] was not equipped with a safely accessible ladder, adequate rope, an anchor, a radio or any security mechanisms to prevent swimmers from being separated from their boats,” the court documents, filed by Ryan's attorney Amjad Khan, claim. “Disturbingly, later inspection revealed that the boat was not even equipped with any flotation or lifesaving devices, in direct violation of California law, which requires that all pontoons longer than 16 feet be equipped with flotation devices.”

Ryan also claims that Lake Piru did not have “a single sign anywhere — not at the entrance, at the dock, at the popular swimming area of Diablo Cove, not anywhere — warning of the lake’s strong currents, low visibility, high winds, changing water depths, underwater caves, ledges and drop offs, or the trees, brush and other debris that congest its waters due to the vastly changing water levels and winds.”

The suit additionally points out that the boat drifted away from Naya and Josey when they jumped into the lake for a swim and proper safety equipment could have prevented that, TMZ reported.

Naya was reported missing on July 8 after Josey was found alone on their rented boat. After a five-day search, the former Glee star’s body was found in the lake. She was 33.

Josey told investigators that he saw his mom “disappear under the surface of the water” as she yelled for help. Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub characterized Naya's death as a tragic accidental drowning.

As noted in the suit, Lake Piru has a “deadly history,” as “more than two dozen people" — at least 26 other people — have drowned in it since 1959.

Photo: Getty Images


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content