Daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore accuses ex of psychological violence

Trigger warning: the following text contains reports and accusations of domestic violence

Actress Rumer Willis, 37, daughter of Bruce Willis, 71, and Demi Moore, 63, accused her ex-partner, musician Derek Richard Thomas, 37, of psychological violence and controlling behavior throughout the relationship and after the separation. The allegations are contained in documents presented to the Court in opposition to the request for shared custody involving the ex-couple's daughter, Louetta, aged 3.

In the documents, Rumer alleged that her ex had maintained a "persistent pattern" of emotional abuse and coercion, with episodes that allegedly occurred in the presence of her daughter or during car trips.

According to information from People magazine, the actress filed a legal statement against the request for custody made by Derek, with whom she had a relationship for two years until their separation in August 2024.

The artist further alleged that her ex exercised "continuous coercive control through prolonged verbal attacks", which could last "more than six hours at a time" and would have become frequent after the birth of the girl.

"I was constantly trying to keep the peace and walking on eggshells. He wanted to isolate me from my friends and family. He often called me a liar for no reason and told me all the time that I was a bad girlfriend," she added.

The actress also alleged that Derek demonstrated "paranoid" behavior, believing that she and her mother, Demi, were planning to take him away from their daughter.

"For a long time, it was difficult to face him, because I tried to avoid his emotional outbursts and abuse, even long after he had left home", he declared.

In the action, the actress requests primary custody of her daughter and requests that her ex-partner have restricted contact with the child, without overnight stays or prolonged periods alone with the girl before carrying out a specialized assessment determined by the Court.

According to Rumer, her daughter was "traumatized" and presented frequent episodes of crying due to the behavior she attributes to the musician.

Rumer also questioned the presence of Derek's current fiancée, Lizzie Loch, during the father's time with the girl, citing the supposed history of conflicts in relationships and in the daughter's presence.

Derek presented his own statement to the court and denied the accusations, claiming that Rumer had made the request because she was "furious" about her daughter's "affection" for her new partner.

The musician rejected any allegations of domestic violence or controlling behavior, although he acknowledged that the relationship was "unhealthy".

"I did not engage in any form of domestic violence, including coercive control. The relationship was unhealthy and ended as it should have, but was not characterized by abuse, psychological violence or intimidation on my part," he added.

Derek also contested the request to undergo toxicological tests ordered by the Court, requested after Rumer alleged that her ex used cannabis daily.

"I used it when legally permitted, but never in a way that prevented me from fully fulfilling my responsibilities as Louetta's father," he confessed.

In the documents, Rumer alleged that, on one occasion, Derek was under the influence of substances to the point where he was unable to supervise his daughter properly, citing episodes in which the child fell off the sofa and bed.

The star denied any negligence. "Louetta has never suffered any harm in my care, has never harmed herself, nor has she suffered trauma, emotional or physical abuse, or neglect at any time she was with me," he said.

The actress also wrote that her ex-partner exposed her to a "high level of stress and chaos" during her visits to her father, Bruce, diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. She also stated that she does not receive financial support from her ex-partner, who supposedly places this responsibility on his "rich family".

The allegations from both parties are part of the ongoing process and will still be analyzed by the Courts.

Demi filed a statement in support of her daughter and claimed to have witnessed "aggressive" behavior from Derek during Rumer's home birth.

"He showed no consideration for Rumer, the baby, the labor or anyone else. He essentially ruined what should have been one of the happiest moments of her life," he said.

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Source: CNN