Derek Chauvin's wife Kellie files for divorce, says her 'utmost sympathy' lies with George Floyd's family
The wife of ex-cop Derek Chauvin, who has been charged with murdering George Floyd, has filed for divorce. Kellie Chauvin released a statement via a lawyer on Friday, May 29, and is reportedly "devastated" by Floyd's death. She has offered her condolences to his friends and family and all those grieving, CBS Minnesota reports. Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter after he was seen kneeling on Floyd's neck for a sickening 8 minutes. The disgraced cop was one of the four officers who were fired after the incident.
In the statement released by Sekula Law Offices, Kellie, who was also Mrs Minnesota in 2018, says she has filed for dissolution of her marriage, reports Mirror. The statement reads, "This evening, I spoke with Kellie Chauvin and her family. She is devastated by Mr. Floyd’s death and her utmost sympathy lies with his family, with his loved ones and with everyone who is grieving this tragedy. She has filed for dissolution of her marriage to Derek Chauvin." The statement further added that "while Ms Chauvin has no children from her current marriage, she respectfully requests that her children, her elder parents, and her extended family be given safety and privacy during this difficult time."
In a shocking and viral video clip, Floyd was repeatedly saying that he was unable to breathe as he was pinned to the ground by Chauvin who was kneeling on his neck. The four cops who were involved have been identified as Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao, and J Alexander Kueng. Floyd had been arrested by the four for allegedly using forged documents at a local deli. "Please," the man can be heard pleading. "Please, please I can't breathe." The shocking video clip was taken on Monday, May 25, and shows Floyd begging the police to stop as he repeatedly said he was unable to breathe before he lost consciousness.
Floyd later lost his life. His death has sparked outrage and anger across the country with protesters demanding justice. The Minneapolis Police Department's 3rd precinct was seen up in flames at around 10 pm. Angry protesters were seen taking over the building and climbing on top of the roof of the building as they celebrated the flames and fire. While fire alarms were heard going off in the background, protesters could be heard saying, "What’s his name? George Floyd!" as fireworks shot up into the air, NY Post reports.
George Floyd's death sparked a lot of outrage among celebrities as well who took to various social media platforms to make it known that they did not condone police brutality and disregard for black lives. Celebrities like Demi Lovato, Cardi B, Ciara, Diddy, Ava DuVernay all condemned the incident. Lovato shared, "Demi Lovato also echoed the sentiments and said, "I'm tired of typing Rest in Peace... I wish black men could live in peace." Filmmaker Ava DuVernay shared, "You deserved your breath, your dignity, your life. Not to die in the street, murdered by a white cop's knee on your neck. You deserve our tears, our prayers, our rage, our action. We must act — for you — and for all of those were no cameras are present. We must. #GeorgeFloyd," she wrote. Rapper Cardi B posted, "Enough is enough! What will it take? A civil war? A new president? Violent riots? It’s tired! I’m tired! The country is tired! You don’t put fear in people when you do this you just show how coward YOU ARE! And how America is really not the land of the free!"