It’s been about six weeks since Napa Valley authorities arrested Artem Chigvintsev on domestic violence charges. In the days following the incident, several developments happened. Nikki Garcia subsequently filed for divorce and the Napa Valley District Attorney declined to press criminal charges against Artem.
Now, more individuals close to the former couple are starting to speak out. According to them, Nikki and Artem were verbally abusive to one another from the start.
Artem Chigvintsev & Nikki Garcia Reportedly Fought A Lot
Shortly after news of the arrest broke, those close to the couple said they weren’t entirely surprised. They said Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev had been strained for a while. On top of that, they both allegedly have volatile temperaments.
After Dancing With The Stars opted not to hire Artem for Season 33, tension grew thick in their home.
“Friends are starting to talk, most say it was no secret that Nikki and Artem disagreed a lot and butted heads often,” an insider reported to Life & Style. “They were verbally abusive towards each other and while the physical allegations were surprising, it wasn’t necessarily shocking to learn.”
The source went on to say that it’s become a “he said, she said” dispute and neither Nikki nor Artem will back down. Life & Style reports another source said that the former WWE superstar is trying to end the marriage quickly.
“There’s no going back. Nikki doesn’t even recognize Artem as the man she married,” the additional source shared.
Judges Granted Both Parties A Restraining Order
Immediately following the arrest, Nikki Garcia publicly asked for privacy. But just recently, she requested and was granted a restraining order against her ex-husband.
TMZ reports that in the reports, Nikki alleged a fight broke out over breakfast on the morning of August 29. Artem aggressively snatched their son and ran up the stairs, while the four-year-old reportedly cried out for his mother in fear. Nikki chased after them and alleged Artem tackled her and pinned her to the floor. She says she struggled to breathe and hit his neck to get him off her.
After details of Nikki Garcia’s restraining order became public, Artem Chigvintsev fired back with his own version of the story. He agrees that the fight began over breakfast, but the following details differ. He alleged that Nikki began nitpicking at him, finding fault with every decision he made while helping their son get ready for school. When she became aggressive with him, Artem asserts he was only defending himself.
As the source told Life & Style, it seems that even their closest friends aren’t sure who to believe in this situation.
