Naya Rivera

Ryan Dorsey, ex-husband of late Glee star Naya Rivera, 33, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of his and Rivera’s 4-year-old son, Josey, for wrongful death and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The move comes after Rivera’s tragic death from drowning at Lake Piru in early July 2020.

The lawsuit names Ventura County/Operators of the lake property, the United Water Conservation District and Parks and Recreation Management as defendants.

According to the court filings, the pontoon Rivera rented at Lake Piru did not contain certain important safety features, including a safely accessible ladder, adequate rope, an anchor, a radio and more. The suit also says the boat did not come with floatation devices, although other boaters at the scene said they found Josey alone on the boat with Rivera’s purse, her wallet, and a life jacket.

“There are no signs warning visitors about the dangers of swimming in the lake, to wear life vests when swimming or boating, or that dozens of others have drowned in Lake Piru,” the filing says.

It is believed, as Rivera and her son swam in the lake, the boat drifted away. According to earlier reports, the child told authorities that his mother helped him onto the boat, but she was not able to climb on and disappeared under the water surface. Her body was recovered five days later.

According to the filing, the wrongful death claim, which typically proceeds a formal lawsuit against a government entity, was rejected by the County on September 8th. The United Water Conservation District rejected the wrongful death claim on October 14, 2020.