Sports
Wife Of Cubs' Addison Russell Won't Talk To League About Abuse Claims; Files For Divorce
In a statement Wednesday announcing the divorce, Melisa Russell said she wants to keep matters private for the sake of their son.
CHICAGO, IL — The wife of Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell is refusing to talk to Major League Baseball officials about domestic abuse allegations leveled on social media earlier this month against the All-Star infielder. Melisa Russell's decision not to participate in MLB's investigation comes as she announced Wednesday she was filing for divorce from the major leaguer, ESPN.com reports.
The league began investigating accusations of domestic violence against Addison Russell after his wife accused him of infidelity online. Melisa Russell's now-deleted Instagram post was followed by comments from someone identified as a close friend — remarks that also were deleted — that claimed Addison Russell "mentally and physically abused" his wife and hit her in front of his children. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Palatine news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)
The ballplayer denied the allegations the following day in a statement and called them "false and hurtful."
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"For the well-being of my family, I’ll have no further comment," he said.
RELATED: Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell Denies Domestic Abuse Allegations
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Melisa Russell expressed similar sentiments in a statement Wednesday announcing the divorce that was released by the law firm representing her, according to ESPN.
"It is her desire to pursue a resolution that is, first and foremost, in the best interest of the parties' son, and which occurs in a swift, amicable and private fashion," Melisa Russell's statement concerning the divorce said.
League officials had planned to interview Addison and Melisa Russell, as well as the friend who posted the allegations. It's unclear how Melisa Russell's refusal will affect any investigation.
Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell (Photo by MBDChicago | Wikimedia Commons)
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