Have Heather Locklear's demons returned? Star has had major issues in the past with mental illness and substance abuse
MALIBU, CALIFORNIA: Actress Heather Locklear sparked concern after she was seen displaying erratic behavior in Malibu, California, on Thursday, June 29. The 'Melrose Place' star was reportedly photographed trying to balance along the ledge of an office building wearing a pair of flip flops and holding onto pillars for support. At one point, she was also reportedly seen sprinting across the street.
Former motocross racer Chris Heisser, who is believed to be Locklear's fiance, reportedly dropped off the actress at the building for an undisclosed appointment that lasted for an hour, the Daily Mail reported. After leaving the building, Locklear was also seen sitting atop a staircase, reading a journal and talking to herself. Some of Locklear's friends told the publication that the actress may have started drinking again following several rehab stints. While Locklear established herself as one of the most popular TV and film actress, her life has been plagued by major mental illness and substance abuse issues.
A look into Heather Locklear's struggles with mental health and substance abuse issues
Locklear's struggles with mental health issues began back in June 2008 after she checked into a rehabilitation center in Arizona for depression and anxiety. "Heather has been dealing with anxiety and depression. She requested an in-depth evaluation of her medication and entered into a medical facility for proper diagnosis and treatment. This is a confidential medical matter and no further statement will be released," her representative confirmed in a statement at the time.
Locklear returned home in July 2008 after four weeks of treatment at the facility only to be arrested on suspicion of DUI after she was allegedly seen driving erratically outside Santa Barbara. While the case was dismissed as officials could not detect the presence of alcohol nor illegal narcotics in the actress' blood, Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney Lee Carter said that authorities believed Locklear's prescription medications for anxiety and depression "could have impaired her ability to safely drive a motor vehicle."
In January 2012, Locklear was rushed to the Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, California, after her sister allegedly called 911 and said she believed the actress was in danger after taking prescription drugs mixed with alcohol. The 'Dynasty' star returned to rehab in 2017 and told People Magazine, "I am feeling great and am taking steps to enrich and better my life. Currently, I am working on tying up some loose ends regarding certain issues so I can hit 2017 full steam ahead."
Locklear was admitted to rehab for the seventh time in 2018 before being hospitalized for a suspected case of overdose that same year. According to Radar Online, the actress had to undergo a psych evaluation after a family member called 911 and reportedly informed about Locklear showing erratic behavior and allegedly looking for a gun to shoot herself. Within a week, police received another 911 call from Locklear's family, claiming that the actress was "extremely intoxicated" and needed help.
In November 2018, the 'Franklin & Bash' star was reportedly placed on an involuntary 72-hour psychiatric hold after allegedly assaulting her then-boyfriend, Heisser, a source told US Weekly at the time. The actress checked into another rehab facility in December 2018. "It’s very serious and her family is gathering information needed to make a move for conservatorship," a source told the publication.
Locklear had reportedly returned to the same rehab in May 2019 seeking treatment for substance abuse. A source told People at the time, that the actress "continued to drink" despite her many rehab stints. "Heather’s problem is she doesn’t get serious about anything. She was continuing to drink," they alleged.
Exploring Heather Locklear's legal troubles
Locklear's legal troubles ran simultaneously with her mental health struggles and substance abuse battle. Shortly after her first rehab stint in 2008, the actress was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Santa Barbara. While the DUI charge was dismissed, she pleaded no contest for reckless driving in 2009 and was sentenced to three years of informal probation, a DMV driver safety class and a $700 fine.
In April 2010, Locklear was charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run although she was not taken into custody. The Ventura County's Sheriff allegedly reported a BMW that hit a no parking sign was registered to Locklear and her then-husband Richie Sambora's. However, no criminal charges were filed as there was no proof showing the person behind the wheel.
In February 2018, Locklear raised suspicion of being involved in a domestic violence incident against Heisser. She was later arrested over domestic violence and battery for attacking a police officer who responded to her home and charged with one felony count of domestic violence and three misdemeanor counts of battery on a police officer. Locklear was accused of allegedly kicking three sheriff deputies and saying she would shoot them if they ever arrived at her home again.
"I don’t have any information as to whether or not an alcohol was involved, but she was extremely uncooperative right off the bat. She became combative with the deputies to the point where she was arrested not only for felony domestic battery but three counts of battery on a police officer," a spokesperson from Ventura County Sheriff’s told People. Locklear was later released on a $20,000 bond while her then-boyfriend, Heisser, was arrested on a DUI charge in Thousand Oaks.
Within a week after her 2018 hospitalization, Locklear was arrested on two misdemeanor counts of battery for punching a police officer and kicking an emergency personnel who came to her aid. In August 2019, Locklear pleaded no contest to eight misdemeanor charges of battery and resisting officers for the 2018 incident. She was sentenced to 30 days in a residential mental health facility in exchange for two months in jail and was placed on informal probation for three years. While Locklear did not have to check in with a probation officer, she was not allowed to drink alcohol, take non-prescription medication or possess dangerous or deadly weapons.