Nikki Garcia has filed for divorce from her husband, Artem Chigvintsev, and is seeking full custody of their 4-year-old son, Matteo. She has requested legal and physical custody of the child, but is willing to allow Chigvintsev visitation rights. Garcia’s representatives have asked for privacy at this time, while Chigvintsev’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Their divorce comes less than two weeks after Chigvintsev was arrested for domestic violence following an incident in their Napa Valley home.
Garcia began looking for a divorce lawyer immediately after the alleged attack by Chigvintsev. Following the incident, she moved out of their family residence and stopped wearing her wedding and engagement rings, signaling the end of their two-year marriage. On the morning of the incident, Chigvintsev called 911 to request medical assistance, but later canceled the request. However, due to the nature of domestic violence calls, police still responded to the location. After observing injuries on the victim, who requested confidentiality, Chigvintsev was arrested and charged with inflicting corporal injury on an intimate partner.
Chigvintsev was booked at Napa County Jail and released on bail after paying $25,000. While the identity of the victim was not disclosed by authorities, audio of the dispatcher’s call to police revealed that Garcia was present during the alleged incident, as was their son, Matteo. Sources close to the couple have described their relationship as volatile, stating that the circumstances of their split may be shocking to some, but not surprising to those who know them well. Garcia and Chigvintsev met in 2017 while competing together on “Dancing With the Stars” Season 25.
The divorce filing and custody battle come amidst a tumultuous time for Garcia and Chigvintsev. Garcia has requested full custody of Matteo, but is open to Chigvintsev having visitation rights with their son. Chigvintsev has not yet commented on the divorce filing or custody arrangements. Following the incident of domestic violence, where Chigvintsev was arrested and charged, Garcia has taken steps to separate herself from him, moving out of their home and signaling the end of their marriage. The public nature of their split has caused speculation among insiders about the nature of their relationship prior to the legal troubles.
The legal and emotional aftermath of the incident involving Chigvintsev has put a strain on the couple’s relationship, leading to Garcia seeking full custody of their son. With charges of inflicting corporal injury on an intimate partner, Chigvintsev’s actions have had far-reaching consequences for their family. The public nature of their split and upcoming divorce proceedings have brought the issue of domestic violence into the spotlight, highlighting the importance of seeking help and support in such situations. As the legal proceedings continue, the future custody arrangements for Matteo remain uncertain, while the couple’s relationship is seemingly irreparably damaged by the recent events.
