Nikki Garcia Retains Divorce Attorney After Husband Artem Chigvintsev's Domestic Violence Arrest: Source (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Nikki Garcia; Artem Chigvintsev.Photo:Adela Loconte/Shutterstock; David Livingston/Getty

Adela Loconte/Shutterstock; David Livingston/Getty

Nikki Garcia’s marriage is on the rocks following her husbandArtem Chigvintsev’s arrest.

A source tells PEOPLE that the 40-year-old has obtained a divorce lawyer less than two weeks after Chigvintsev, 42, wasarrested on accusations of corporal injury to spousein Napa, Calif. on Aug. 29.

While it was never explicitly confirmed, Garcia is presumably the spouse in question. A rep for her told PEOPLE at the time, “This is a private matter and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.”

Days before theDancing with the Starspro’s arrest, the pair hadcelebrated their second wedding anniversary, with Chigvintsev writing in an Instagrampost, “Happy anniversary my love, can’t see my life without you. You are my everything ❤️.”

The retired WWE star also paid tribute to her husband in her ownpost, as she shared the lyrics toElvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” which she said is representative of their “love story.”

“I’ll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem,” she wrote in the caption. “It all felt too fast. And then this song came on. And that’s when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be. 🙏🏻✨ .”

Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev attend “Twin Love” - Cocktails And Bites With Hosts Nikki & Brie Garcia at Soho House on November 16, 2023.Anna Webber/Getty

Anna Webber/Getty

In the clip of the call, the dispatcher said that Chigvintsev “initially came in as requesting medical, but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes” at him.

The dispatcher also informed the responding police that there was “a child on scene” at the time, referring tothe couple’s son Matteo.

Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella attend Brie and Nikki Bella’s live edition of SiriusXM’s The Bellas Podcast on February 08, 2023.Cindy Ord/Getty

Cindy Ord/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Garcia and Chigvintstev welcomed their son in 2020, a year after theybegan datingafter initially meeting when they were paired up onDancing with the Starsin 2017.

In July, Garcia marked her son’s fourthbirthday, as she said he’s changed her “perspective on life” and she’s “never ever felt such love like this.”

Chigvintsev posted a sweettributeto his son, too, writing, “It breaks my heart I couldn’t celebrate with you today but I promise when daddy gets home we can celebrate your birthday as many times as you wish. Let mommy spoil you today. Love you both❤️❤️.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com