“Blindspot” Star Sullivan Stapleton Sued by Longtime Partner Alleging Domestic Abuse

“Blindspot” Star Sullivan Stapleton Sued by Longtime Partner Alleging Domestic Abuse https://ift.tt/x7lq9pi

Stapleton's longtime partner Alexis Kelley claims she experienced "personal injury, pain and suffering, anguish and severe emotional distress" due to the 'Blindspot' alum's alleged actions

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Sullivan Stapleton in August 2022

Sullivan Stapleton is being sued by his longtime partner Alexis Kelley for alleged domestic abuse.

In the filing obtained by PEOPLE, Kelley is suing the Blindspot alum, 47, for alleged assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment and domestic violence among other claims.

The pair — who met in 2016 and started a romantic relationship two years later — began living together in April 2022, according to the filing. Kelley claims that after they cohabited, Stapleton “actively used threats of violence intimidation to subjugate [her] will to his own, and to enable him to accomplish the wrongful acts alleged hereinafter.”

In the lawsuit, Kelley alleged that Stapleton — who played Kurt Weller on the NBC series from 2015 to 2020 — placed her “in fear of physical harm, particularly if she did not give into his demands for sex and other demands, through statements made to her in an angry tone such as (1) ‘It’s survival of the fittest. I could kill you, but I don’t.’ (2) ‘I wouldn’t have a gun in the house. First of all, if I needed to kill you, I wouldn’t have to use a gun, I’d just use my hands’ and (3) ‘I have to train you just like I train my dog.’”

Kelley claimed her longtime partner was able to accomplish his actions “because she was financially dependent” on him.

Monica Schipper/Getty

Alexis Kelley and Sullivan Stapleton

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Reps for Sullivan did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.

In the lawsuit, Kelley described several alleged incidents of abuse including one at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif. On June 27, 2022, she claimed that Stapleton became “enraged” after she was “unwilling” to engage in sexual intercourse while staying at a hotel.

“In his rage, and without regard for her safety, wellbeing or feelings, the defendant grabbed her cellphone and struck her repeatedly on the arm with it while he trapped her on the bed,” she claimed. “She managed to raise herself up and she fled to the adjoining bedroom. [Stapleton] followed her and, before she could lock the door, entered the bathroom. Once inside the bathroom, [Stapleton] pinned her by her arms, shoulders and neck against a glass shower door.” 

Kelley claimed while in the bathroom he “continued to use physical force and the infliction of pain until she returned, under compulsion, to the bedroom.” She then allegedly “submitted herself, under compulsion, to sexual intercourse with him.”

In another alleged incident in early 2023, Kelley alleged that Stapleton purchased “two heavy pellet-guns” and on March 4 of that year, shot a house guest in the leg with one of the weapons. She claimed, “His action on that day caused [her] to be subjected to domination by [Stapleton], and to subsequent unwanted touching and contact.”

Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty

Alexis Kelley and Sullivan Stapleton in October 2019

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Kelley noted Stapleton placed security cameras in their home during the summer of 2023, which allegedly allowed him to “monitor, track, stalk, harass and control [her] from afar.” She claimed he then “grilled her on her activities out of the house.”

She claimed that his “interrogations became so stressful and intimidating that [she] limited activities outside the house, stayed home and suffered severe anxiety.” Kelley alleged that he refused to stop the surveillance when she asked and told her the cameras were for “her protection.”

In another alleged incident at a restaurant in Santa Monica, Calif. in Aug. 2023, she claimed Stapleton “grabbed [her] angrily and pulled her toward him” before “aggressively put[ting] his hands around her neck in a choking move.” She was "humiliated, placed in fear and made to suffer pain from his conduct.”

Before a movie premiere on Nov. 2, 2023, Kelley claimed that Stapleton became “enraged and verbally abused” her when she did know the location of the parking entrance, which caused her to have fear of “immanent battery.” Once in the screening, he allegedly “forcefully grabbed and pitched her inner thigh and arm in a way that was painful and caused bruising.” She claimed the touching was "non-consensual, painful and humiliating."

Eric Liebowitz/NBC/Warner Bros/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Sullivan Stapleton as Kurt Weller on 'Blindspot'

When returning from the screening, Stapleton's driving was allegedly “so erratic that it terrified [Kelley] and caused her to fear for her life and safety.”

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After an alleged disagreement at a restaurant on Dec. 5, 2023, and inviting a friend over against his wishes, Stapleton allegedly “physically attacked” her and left her with injuries including a cut on the shoulder, facial bruising, swelling and a deep laceration on her cheek. A few days after the alleged incident, Stapleton allegedly told her, “You should think of your actions every time you look at your scar.”

Kelley claimed that due to Stapleton’s alleged actions, she will continue to experience “personal injury, pain and suffering, anguish and severe emotional distress.” 

She is asking for a jury trial in addition to general and compensatory damages as well as punitive or exemplary damages.

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