Paramedics were called to Nikki Garcia’s home before the ‘DWTS’ pro’s domestic violence arrest: report
Emergency first responders were called to the home of Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia shortly before they were arrested on domestic violence charges Thursday.
Sources close to the investigation told TMZ that an unidentified man called 911 for a “medical emergency” around 8:30 a.m. but later canceled his request after paramedics and firefighters arrived.
However, less than two hours later, the “Dancing With the Stars” pro was arrested and charged with serious bodily injury — meaning he is accused of causing bodily harm to someone at a residence by using force.
The victim’s name has not yet been released.
Chigvintsev, 42, married WWE alumnus Garcia — better known as Nikki Bella — in 2022. They celebrated their second anniversary on Monday.
The couple has a 4-year-old son named Matveo Artemovich Chigvintsev.
Garcia, 40, revealed on her Instagram Story on Wednesday that she was in the Downtown Napa area. There is no information yet on where she was during her husband’s arrest.
Representatives for Chigvintsev and Garcia did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
After the professional dancer was arrested, she was booked into the Napa County Jail and her bail was set at $25,000. Page Six confirmed that she was released a few hours after her arrest.
Amid reports of domestic violence, an insider told Page Six that she has no plans to return to the upcoming 33rd season of “Dancing With the Stars.”
He has appeared in 12 seasons of the popular series and won season 29 with Kaitlyn Bristowe.
Chigvintsev and Garcia met on “DWTS” in 2017 when they were cast as partners for its 25th season. The “Total Bellas” star confirmed their relationship in 2019.
In 2015, Chigvintsev’s former dance partner Fern Britton accused him of physically abusing her while they were competing on the BBC show in 2012. The allegations have resurfaced recently amid his legal woes.
,[Artem] “He would look at my legs and kick me or push me,” the TV host claimed at the time, according to HuffPost UK.
He further alleged, “He was saying, ‘Shut your mouth. Go home before I kill you.'” “Or what was his other one? ‘If you go have a cup of tea now, I’ll blow up like an atom bomb.'”
Chigvintsev denied her claims, saying “I believe I treated Fern with respect and genuine care and these claims about me are contrary to everything I believe in and who I am.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
