Naya Rivera Was Extremely Close With Her Family: Learn About Her Son, Siblings and More

Actress Naya Rivera was confirmed dead on Monday, July 13, after she went missing on Wednesday, July 8, following a boat ride with her son, Life & Style confirmed. The 4-year-old, Josey Hollis Dorsey, was found in a boat by himself on Lake Piru in Ventura County, California, three hours after the actress rented it. The toddler told investigators he and his mother went swimming, but Rivera never returned.

Two days later, on Friday, July 10, Ventura County officials declared the search for Rivera a “recovery effort.” As of Monday, July 13, the police department revealed a body was discovered in Lake Piru and the family has been notified. They later identified the body as the former Glee star.

'Glee' Stars and Celebrities React to Naya Rivera's Death

Rivera’s loved ones haven’t commented on her death, but many fans and celebrities are taking to social media to send prayers and condolences. Scroll below to learn about the close people in her life, including brother Mychal, sister Nickayla, and ex-husband Ryan Dorsey.

Rivera’s brother is a football tight end, who is currently a free agent. He made waves while playing at the University of Tennessee in the elite Tennessee Volunteers program. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders during the 2013 NFL Draft. The athlete also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017.

“First of all, I think it’s really cool that we each have our, like, sort of specialty and things that we’re good at. I just encourage him, you know, and he appreciates the support from when I watch the games,” Rivera proudly said about her brother’s college career in 2012. “Now, I’m getting better at memorizing what he’s doing, like how many yards and catches and stuff. He watches [Glee] and he’ll call and be like, ‘That was really dope!’”

Mychal added at the time, “My path is sports, hers is acting. You know, we stay on our own paths and we just have fun doing what we’re doing.”

Rivera’s sister, Nickayla, is signed by Los Angeles modeling agency Photogenics and New York’s Wilhelmina Models. She’s pals with A-list catwalk queens like Chanel Iman and Rose Bertram. She also appeared to be extremely close to her sister and frequently posted glammed-up photos of the two on social media. 

Considering their mother, Yolanda, is a former model, it’s safe to assume that’s where the family gets their gorgeous looks. The Step Up: High Water actress credited her supportive mom for her career.

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“My mom made me join choir for a couple of weeks freshman year but I didn’t like it so I quit. All I did was go out for auditions and try to get jobs,” she said in 2009. “I was around 6 years old. My mom got me into acting and I never thought of doing anything else.”

The Devious Maids star appeared to be estranged from her birth father, George. DailyMail reported Yolanda and Naya’s stepfather attended her wedding to ex-husband Ryan in 2014, but George did not. However, on Sunday, July 12, George joined in search efforts to help locate his daughter. 

Naya filed for divorce from the Blood Father actor in 2016 after two years of marriage. During their time together, they welcomed their only child in 2015. They agreed to joint legal and physical custody of Josey in 2019.