Naya Rivera’s mother is honoring her late daughter's memory as she recalls the harrowing day she lost her daughter.
The “Glee” star went missing on July 8 at California’s Lake Pire, where she had spent the day with her son, Josey Hollis Dorsey, ABC 7 reports. Dorsey was four at the time and will turn 6 in September. Rivera was 33 at the time of her death.
A search for Rivera quickly began, and officials later found Dorsey alone in a boat they had rented for the day with no sign of Rivera.
Rivera was found five days later and her death was ruled an accidental drowning.
One year since the accident, Rivera’s mother, Yolanda Previtiere spoke with ABC News' Juju Chang and "Good Morning America" about her loss.
"Sometimes we're afraid of the sorrow being so heavy that we're afraid for our own self, 'cause this is hard. There are no words to describe what we're going through," Yolanda said. "All we know is we have each other."
Rivera’s younger sister, Nickayla Rivera, told GMA how she has coped with the loss of her sister.
"And taking that one day at a time and living it to the fullest, loving each other to the fullest, and not regretting anything," Nickayla said. "Because I know if we could go back, we'd hug a little bit harder."
Rivera’s younger brother told GMA in a statement, “One year without you, one year closer to when we will meet you again. Your endless energy lives on. May you continue to rest so graciously, Naya."
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Previtiere gave a message to her daughter’s fans on the anniversary, encouraging them to “love life.”
“I feel Naya's energy constantly telling me, 'Mom, be happy. Don't cry. I'm OK. Go get Josey. Have fun.' And I feel that it's coming from her," she said. "I literally wake up every morning, and it's almost like a restart button, and I have to shake it off ... one foot at a time," she said. "And here we are."
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