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Her family says she's been struggling with substance abuse.
By Emily Blackwood — Written on Feb 28, 2018
Heather Locklear allegedly assaulted her boyfriend and three officers this past weekend, prompting family members to speak out about her struggle with substance abuse.
According to TMZ, the 56-year-old actress was arrested Feb. 25 after police responded to a call about domestic violence from her brother.
When they arrived, officers observed a visible mark on her boyfriend, Chris Heisser. He claims Locklear "practically" bit off part of his nose.
While trying to put her into custody, police say she became combative and started flailing and kicking the three officers. She called a female officer a "c--t" and kicked a male officer in the groin.
Her 20-year-old daughter, Ava, witnessed the whole incident.
“She claimed to be injured, but we didn’t see any sign of that,” Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Garo Kuredjian told reporters. "We determined she had battered her boyfriend.”
Locklear was charged with one felony count of domestic violence and three counts of misdemeanor battery on a peace officer. She posted her $20,000 bail.
An unnamed family member spoke out about Locklear and her issues with anxiety and substance abuse. The actress returned to rehab for her fifth time last year.
“She has so much talent and beauty, and we hate to see that wasted,” the relative said. “But she’s fighting a lot of demons. The only thing she can do is go back to rehab and try again.”
The relative also said that her family was wary about Locklear getting back together with Heisser, a high school flame who had just recently moved into her home.
The 56-year-old served two years in prison after he was convicted of theft and fraud charges in 2011. He was arrested hours later on the same night as Locklear for driving with a .20 blood alcohol level.
“They rekindled their relationship a little over a year ago,” the family member said. “We’re not sure how good they are together.”
And this isn't the only incident of domestic violence in the actress' past. In 2011, she got into a physical fight with her boyfriend Jack Wagner.
"She lost it on him," an officer said at the time, "And he retaliated."
Her family said the incident this past weekend came as a shock because everyone thought she was doing better.
"She is still so beautiful,’’ the relative said. “There is still so much to live for.”
Locklear has not publicly commented on her arrest.
Emily Blackwood is an editor at YourTango who covers pop culture, true crime, dating, relationships and everything in between. Every Wednesday at 7:20 p.m. you can ask her any and all questions about self-love, dating, and relationships LIVE on YourTango’s Facebook page. You can follow her on Instagram (@blackw00d) and Twitter (@emztweetz).