Family members, friends, and fans continue to mourn the loss of Glee star Naya Rivera, including both her ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, and close friend, Heather Morris. This week, Morris posted an emotional tribute to her on-screen girlfriend and real life bestie that featured pictures of their sons.
Morris explained in the lengthy caption that she and Rivera “never took photos together” because they “mutually hated taking pictures.” Instead, the 33-year-old posted pictures of her sons Elijah, 6, and Owen, 4, playing with Rivera’s four-year-old son, Josey. She explained that this was her way to remember their “pride and joy.”
“We started out as the closest friends and then like all new things, we went through a bit of a rocky phase. However, we stuck by each other’s side and created the most beautiful friendship built out of love and understanding,” Morris began her post.
Morris reminisced about the last time she had the chance to see Rivera in person. She revealed that she listens to her late friend’s EP on repeat because from the moment she heard it, it struck her and she has always wished the world knew more of Rivera’s voice.
“You sent me over 5 dozen SnapChat videos when you and Josey woke up in the morning and I kick myself that I didn’t save one of them. You always shared recipes and I admired your love for food,” continued Morris, who played Brittany Pierce alongside Rivera’s Santana Lopez for six seasons..
The mom-of-two added: “I speak to you everyday because I know you’re still with me and even though I’m feeling greedy that we don’t get more time together, I cherish every moment we had and hold it close to my heart.”
Meanwhile, an insider told People magazine that Dorsey “has barely slept” since Rivera went missing on Wednesday, July 8. Authorities discovered her body in Lake Piru five days later after the actress drowned during a boating trip with her son.
“It’s just a nightmare. Although he wasn’t with Naya, it’s Josey’s mom. Josey needs his mom,” explained the source. “Ryan can’t imagine raising Josey without Naya. It’s the most devastating situation.”
Naya Rivera and Ryan Dorsey at Heather Morris' wedding pic.twitter.com/NiyZM4LlxO
— Glee News & Memories (@MrDavidMichele) May 17, 2015
Ryan Dorsey and Naya Rivera were married from 2014 to 2018. Dorsey reunited with Josey hours after the four-year-old was found alone on a pontoon boat. Authorities have said that the boy is “in good health.” They also believe that Rivera died while saving her son.
Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said that Josey told them he and Naya went swimming in the lake, and at one point she helped him get back into the boat. She reportedly “boosted him onto the deck from behind.”
He also told investigators that when he looked back he saw his mom “disappear under the surface of the water.”
“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,” Ayub said.