DeMarcus Cousins’ ex-girlfriend, Christy West, said that the Los Angeles Lakers center threatened to kill her when she refused to let their seven-year-old son attend his wedding to Morgan Lang last week.
In audio of an August 23 phone call acquired by TMZ Sports, a person speaking with West says, “I’m gonna ask you this one more time before I take it to another level. Can I have my son here, please?”
West has reportedly filed a restraining order for her and her son against Cousins, although she said she is open to Cousins having supervised visits with the child.
In addition to the audio recording, West said that Cousins told her he would kill her “even if he didn’t have to get his hands dirty doing it.”
West has also said in court documents that Cousins once choked her.
“We are aware of the allegation involving DeMarcus Cousins and, of course, take this claim seriously,” the Lakers said in a statement to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. “We are in the process of gathering information and will reserve further comment at this time.”
The NBA also issued a statement, via league spokesman Mike Bass, who said the league was “investigating the allegations,” per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
After spending the 2018-19 season with the Golden State Warriors, Cousins signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Lakers this offseason. The 29-year-old veteran is expected to miss the entire 2019-20 campaign, though, after tearing his ACL during a workout.
“I’m gonna make sure I put a bullet through your f—ing head,” the man replied, according to audio obtained by TMZ.
The recording cuts off at that point, but West claims the four-time All-Star also threatened to end her life “even if he didn’t have to get his hands dirty doing it,” TMZ reports, citing court documents.
West also claimed Cousins had previously choked her, but additional details of that accusation weren’t provided in her account to police. She filed for a restraining order to protect herself and her son from Cousins, although she’s willing for him to have supervised visits with their child, according to TMZ.
A Mobile police spokesperson told TMZ that an investigation into West’s claims has been opened.
