Note: Asterisks have been placed after titles on the navigation section to denote where additions have been made from information found in documents unsealed after the 2022 Fairfax County trial
When Heard and Depp first met, he was charming. They bonded over a shared interest in wine while on the set of The Rum Diaries and started dating during the film’s promotional campaign.
As their relationship progressed, Depp’s use of drugs and alcohol began causing his behavior to be more problematic. He was increasingly jealous, aggressive, and violent. Eventually, he began physically abusing Heard.
Depp is able to get away with his abusive behavior because he surrounds himself with people who do not hold him accountable for his actions and he does not take criticism well. The people he employs enable his behavior and cover up the harm he causes, sometimes lying about events in order to protect Depp’s image.
Johnny against Amber
At the beginning of their relationship, Depp thought Heard was “too good to be true,” though she did exhibit some strange behaviors, such as insisting that Depp allow Heard to remove his boots for him when he came home.
Over time, Heard became physically and verbally abusive to Depp. She also likely had affairs during their marriage, especially with Elon Musk and James Franco.
Heard frequently began and escalated arguments with Depp. When he tried to leave the situation and escape her abuse, she would pursue him, often following him from room to room to prevent him from being alone.
Heard’s claim that Depp was abusive to her during their marriage was an attempt to ruin his reputation and is, in itself, an extension of her abuse toward him. Depp never abused Heard, nor any woman or loved one.
Heard used Depp’s past struggles with drug addiction against him, exaggerating his current drug use as a way to gaslight him into compliance with her demands. She did this by referring to Depp as “the monster” whenever he didn’t do as she pleased. This created a cycle of abuse since Heard berated Depp whenever he used drugs or alcohol, but her abuse of Depp lead him to lean on drugs and alcohol as a way to escape the distress in their marriage.
Backgrounds
Johnny Depp
Depp was born on June 9th, 1963.
He has alleged that his mother was abusive toward him, his father, and his siblings during his childhood and throughout his life. While he’s deemed her “one of the smartest, funniest, greatest people” he’s ever known, he later said she was “maybe the meanest human being” he had ever met at her 2016 funeral.
At the recent Depp v. Heard trial in Fairfax County, Virginia, Depp spoke highly of his father, calling him a “good man” who was “able to maintain his relationship with his children” despite other reports that his father was largely absent in his life. He claimed his father would “beat him” at the direction of his mother but says his father was not abusive, saying his father “was to some degree at the mercy of Betty Sue [Depp’s mother].” This claim was contradicted by statements made by Heard toward her therapist in 2011 and 2012. Notes from Dr. Bonnie Jacobs report that Depp told Heard that it was actually his father who was the primarily abusive parent in his childhood.
When his father divorced his mother and subsequently left the family, Depp was 15. According to Depp, his mother did not take the separation well. Shortly after the split, he revealed that he walked in and witnessed his mother overdosing on pills.
Depp’s sister and personal manager, Christi Dembrowski, corroborated Depp’s claims of childhood abuse on the stand during his recent trial.
Depp claimed that he began abusing substances as a child, starting around age 11. He started by taking his mother’s “nerve pills” and claims to have tried every kind of drug “he was aware of” by age 15.
At 16, he dropped out of high school to focus on his career ambitions as a musician.
In 1983, he married his first wife, Lori Anne Allison, at 20 years old. Allison was a makeup artist and the sister of one of Depp’s bandmates at the time.
The couple would later divorce in 1985.
Allison is not a public figure, though she seems to have had connections in the entertainment industry, reportedly getting a job in television through her friend Christina Applegate. A 2016 TMZ report stated that she does not believe the allegations of Amber Heard (the source for this claim is unknown, TMZ only reports that this is what she “tells friends”). Allison spoke on feelings herself during an interview in 2023, where she referred to Heard as “she who shall not be named” and said “what she did was absolutely horrific.”
A 2020 report from The Hollywood Reporter claimed that Depp paid Allison $1.25 million “to keep quiet after he allegedly left a long ranting message in which he repeatedly used the N-word.”
In 1983, Depp and Allison moved to Los Angeles with his band. Though he had no ambition to become an actor, he was convinced by his friend, Nicolas Cage, to audition for the Wes Craven film Nightmare on Elm Street.
Depp earned a role in the film and went on to act in other projects, such as the television show 21 Jump Street, which propelled him as a late ‘80s/early ‘90s teen heartthrob. Later roles in cult classics such as Cry Baby and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, as well as his frequent collaborations with the eccentric filmmaker Tim Burton, helped secure Depp’s dedicated fanbase who showed the actor impassioned dedication during his recent legal battles.
Shortly following his divorce, Depp began dating actress Sherilyn Fenn whom he reportedly became engaged to at some point during their relationship. They broke up for unknown reasons in 1989. Fenn has not spoken about their past relationship or their current standing at length, however, she did tweet that Depp was “not capable of the things being written” in 2016, likely in reference to the abuse allegations brought by Amber Heard.
In March of 1989, Depp ran into trouble with the law for the first reported time after being arrested for becoming a part of a “scuffle” at a hotel where Depp reportedly assaulted a security officer. He was held by police for three hours before being released, then later pled guilty, telling the court via his attorney that he “regrets” the incident.
Also in 1989, Depp began dating actress Jennifer Grey. According to Grey, the couple became engaged after two weeks. Grey had just gotten out of another serious relationship shortly before meeting Depp. She told Drew Barrymore during an interview, “I just thought it was God rescuing me from one bad situation and just lovingly plopping me into a Johnny Depp souffle.”
The relationship changed quickly. Grey wrote in her book, Out of the Corner:
“Johnny was commuting every week back and forth from Vancouver, but had begun more and more regularly to be getting into trouble: fights in bars, skirmishes with cops… He’d started missing his flights home to LA having overslept or, when he did come home, he’d be crazy jealous and paranoid about what I’d been up to while he was gone.”
Following his breakup with Grey later that year, Depp met actress Winona Ryder. Though she was just 17 at the time while Depp was 25, he called their connection “love at first sight.” A few months after their first date, Depp proposed to Ryder in 1990. Ryder would later say, “When I met Johnny, I was pure virgin. He changed that. He was my first everything. My first real kiss. My first real boyfriend. My first fiancé. The first guy I had sex with. So he’ll always be in my heart. Forever. Kind of funny, that word.”
In 1991, Depp got a tattoo on his arm that read, “Winona Forever.” It has since been changed to “Wino Forever” in reference to his love of wine.
The two actors have remained quiet about their personal lives, but Ryder did say in 2010 while promoting her film Black Swan that her “first boyfriend,” likely referring to Depp, “used to smash everything.” “At 18,” she said. “Everything is dramatic.”
Ryder recently said her 1993 breakup with Depp sent her into an emotional spiral, but the two seem to be on good terms. In 2020, she gave a statement in defense of Depp’s character following Heard’s claims of abuse, saying:
“I understand that it is very important that I speak from my own experience, as I obviously was not there during his marriage to Amber, but, from my experience, which was so wildly different, I was absolutely shocked, confused and upset when I heard the accusations against him.
The idea that he is an incredibly violent person is the farthest thing from the Johnny I knew and loved. He was never, never violent towards me. He was never, never abusive at all towards me. He has never been violent or abusive towards anybody I have seen.
I truly and honestly only know him as a really good man – an incredibly loving, extremely caring guy who was so very protective of me and the people that he loves, and I felt so very, very safe with him.
I do not want to call anyone a liar but from my experience of Johnny, it is impossible to believe that such horrific allegations are true. I find it extremely upsetting, knowing him as I do.”
In 2021, however, The Hollywood Reporter claimed that Ryder later hired former federal prosecutor Matthew Rosengart to block her testimony from being used in Depp’s 2020 trial in the UK. It is unclear why she chose to do this after submitting a witness statement prior.
In 1993, a nightclub called The Viper Room would open with Depp as a partial owner. The club was successful as a setting for live music and celebrity sightings, but would soon become flanked with controversy due to the allegedly high presence of illegal substances on the premises.
On the evening before Halloween, in the year of the club’s opening, The Viper Room became the setting for actor River Pheonix’s death after Pheonix suffered an overdose at age 23 from his reported use of both cocaine and heroin.
Depp claimed his club was not responsible for Pheonix’s death and denied rumors that he permitted illicit drug usage on his business’s property, however, when actor and musician Jason Donovan suffered a drug-induced seizure at the club, Donovan claimed that getting drugs at The Viper Room was “as easy as ringing for room service.”
On the night of Donovan’s seizure, Depp was celebrating the 21st birthday of his new girlfriend, the model Kate Moss. Depp was 31 when the two started dating.
The couple would break up a few years later, but Moss would be present for Depp’s second arrest after he was accused of “smashing furniture and glass” at a hotel in 1994. Charges for felony criminal mischief would later be dropped after Depp agreed to pay $9,767 in damages. Officer Eileen Perez described the scene by saying, "There was glass all over the place and furniture upside down and broken table legs.” Once at the police station, Depp reportedly said to another officer, “I don't think she likes me. But if she saw me at a mall, I bet she would ask me for an autograph.” This was in reference to Perez.
In an interview with Premiere magazine in 1995, Depp stated:
"I have a lot of love in me and a lot of anger inside me as well. If I love somebody, then I'm gonna love 'em. If I'm angry and I've got to lash out or hit somebody, I'm going to do it. And I don't care what the repercussions are. Anger. Doesn't pay rent. It's gotta go. It's gotta be evicted.”
Amber Heard would later claim to have heard a rumor about Depp pushing Moss down a flight of stairs during a vacation in 1995. It’s unknown where this rumor originates as it did not seem to be widely spread prior to Heard’s claim. In her testimony during Depp and Heard’s recent trial, Moss said that this never happened.
A 2014 article from the New York Post claimed that Moss was “afraid of [Depp’s] moods” but even “more afraid he’d leave her.” The article stated that she “didn’t feel worthy of Depp” and “did everything he told her to.” It’s unclear who the source of these claims is; Moss is not directly quoted about this in the piece. Moss did tell Vanity Fair, however, that she considered Depp to be someone who “took care” of her during their relationship. “I believed what he said,” she’s quoted. “Like if I said, ‘What do I do?’ he’d tell me.”
In 1998, Rolling Stone spoke about Depp’s friendship with Hunter S. Thompson, the author of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. To Rolling Stone, Depp said of an early conversation with Thompson, “I was with Kate, and I think he went straight for the romance jugular, shit like whether I beat her enough. I probably told him, ‘Yeah, she gets a severe beating.'”
Despite speculations regarding their relationship, Moss has not spoken negatively about her relationship with Depp and has seemingly remained friends with him since their breakup in 1998.
After splitting with Moss, Depp entered a brief relationship with actress Ellen Barkin. Though both have claimed the relationship was primarily sexual and only lasted 3-6 months, Barkin is the only former partner of Depp’s to allege abuse apart from Amber Heard. She testified in court that Depp was “drunk a lot of the time” and “out of control.” Like Grey, Barkin reported that Depp was incredibly jealous and controlling, stating that he became angry with her after noticing scratch marks on her back, convinced they were a result of Barkin having sexual relations with another man. Though Barkin does not allege any violence directed at her specifically, she did allege an incident in which Depp became angry during a social gathering and threw a wine bottle across a room in the direction of other people. “There is always an air of violence around him,” she stated. “He is a yeller. He is verbally abusive.”
It was later revealed in unsealed documents from the 2022 Depp v. Heard trial that Barkin had also alleged in her deposition that Depp had given her a quaalude prior to asking her to have sex for the first time, though this claim was not heard by the jury.
Depp’s longest relationship to date began in 1998 when he met the 26-year-old actress Vanessa Paradis on the set of The Ninth Gate.
Depp’s decision to join the cast of The Ninth Gate has become somewhat controversial given that the film was directed by Roman Polanski, a man who fled the United States in 1978 after becoming aware that he was soon to be imprisoned for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl. Multiple other women have come forward alleging similar stories of sexual assault by the director, however, Depp has openly defended Polanski as late as 2010, implying that he is suspicious of the motives of those who come forward against powerful individuals.
“Let’s say there’s a young guy who’s successful, famous, rich, da-dah-dah, can have anything he wants anywhere in the world. We presume. At the same time, this fellow could meet a girl in a bar and say, ‘God, you’re great, let’s go make out,’ and they just go slobber. In his brain, he’s thinking, maybe he would like to see her again. Maybe this girl that he met has a slightly ambitious side to her, a devious kind of thing where she starts twisting things around. The next thing you know, this girl says, ‘This motherfucker raped me,’ and all he knows is that, ‘We felt each other’s tongues, all right.’ Let’s say the tabloids get hold of it and say, ‘Well, he fucking did it,’ and that spins around for a few days or weeks and, bing, the guy’s guilty in the eyes of the world before he even has a chance to speak.’
Depp’s friendship with Marilyn Manson, the godfather of his daughter Lily-Rose Depp, has similarly caused controversy as Manson has been accused by multiple women (at least 16 as well as a few men) of crimes such as domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sex trafficking.
In 1999, Depp was arrested again after reportedly fighting with photographers outside a restaurant in London and threatening them with a wooden plank. Depp was released from custody after four hours. He said in a later interview:
“I was having dinner with friends when these photographers turned up. I said to them, ‘Please, I don't want to be what you want me to be tonight. I don't want to be Johnny Depp.’ But they wouldn't stop, so I just grabbed this one guy who had his hands kind of reaching in the door, and then I grabbed a piece of wood and smacked him in the hand and I said, ‘I want you to take the picture. Take the picture.’…
It's a moment in my life that I will love until my last breath, because what I saw in their eyes was pure, unadulterated fear. They didn't take the picture. It proves something, something sad, but—violence, most of the time, is the only thing that works. And for the moment I loved it, just watching all this stuff go down. Even the cops arriving. A beautiful kind of moment, you know.”
The same year, a multi-million dollar lawsuit would be filed against Depp when Anthony Fox, a co-owner of The Viper Room, accused Depp and four others of a conspiracy to commit fraud. On December 19, 2001, shortly before he was scheduled to testify in court, Fox went missing along with his pickup truck and .38-caliber revolver.
The truck was found 19 days later, but Fox’s whereabouts are still unknown to this day. Some have voiced suspicion of Depp and his alleged cohorts, like Donna Lynn, a friend of Fox’s, who told Radar online, "I believe if Tony hadn't filed the suit, he would be here today.” Others have expressed that Fox’s disappearance benefitted people besides Depp, having been involved with many unscrupulous individuals and bad business practices throughout his life.
In 2004, Depp quietly settled the lawsuit and turned his share of The Viper Room over to Fox’s daughter.
Depp’s relationship with Paradis would go on until the couple split privately around 2011, then announced their separation in 2012. Paradis is the mother of Depp’s two children, Lily-Rose and Jack. The couple never married.
Amber Heard
Heard was born on April 22, 1986.
Like Depp, she also claims to have survived an abusive childhood, though at the hands of her father rather than her mother. She has described her father as “violent” and mentioned him having a dependence on alcohol. Heard’s father was also once reportedly jailed for his alleged involvement in a dog fighting ring.
At 17, Heard dropped out of school and moved to LA to pursue a career in acting. In addition to her professional ambition, Heard’s move was prompted by her discomfort with her Catholic Christian-based education after the death of a close friend at 16 caused her to lose her faith in religion and become an atheist.
Heard made her acting debut in the 2004 film, Friday Night Lights. She has gone on to be cast in many projects, her most notable being the DC superhero film Aquaman along with the ensemble-cast production for Justice League.
In 2008, Heard entered a domestic partnership with artist Tasya Van Ree.
In 2009, Heard was arrested on claims of abuse when an officer spotted Heard and Van Ree engaged in a heated argument at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Charges were dropped shortly after and the Seattle Police Department agreed to delete the record of her arrest in 2011. Despite this, reports of the arrest became public in 2016, a few days after Heard filed for a restraining order against Depp.
Van Ree responded to the newly-publicized story in a written statement, saying:
"In 2009, Amber was wrongfully accused for an incident that was misinterpreted and over-sensationalized by two individuals in a powerful position. I recount hints of misogynistic attitudes toward us which alter appeared to be homophobic when they found out we were domestic partners and not just ‘friends.' Charges were quickly dropped and she was released moments later. It's disheartening that Amber's integrity and story are being questioned yet again. Amber is a brilliant, honest and beautiful woman and I have the utmost respect for her. We shared 5 wonderful years together and remain close to this day”
Critics of Heard have pointed out that one of the arresting officers was a queer woman, herself, in response to the claims of misogynistic and homophobic attitudes from the police. Heard said in a 2016 deposition that it was a male officer that the former couple perceived as aggressive. The self-identified queer female officer has furthermore not been formally identified as a police officer, rather she testified that she was an airport security officer.
Timeline of Events
2009– Amber and Johnny meet
Depp and Heard first met on the set of The Rum Diaries. Though both were in relationships with other women (Heard with Van Ree, Depp with Paradis), they reportedly bonded over a shared interest in books, art, and poetry as well as their love for wine.
2011– The Relationship begins
In November of 2011, Heard told Vogue that working with Depp was “torture,” seemingly for the interest the two had in one another. “It was better than I ever imagined,” she said. “Which is really saying something.”
The couple would later say their relationship officially began around late 2011 when they began promo for The Rum Diaries. Since Depp had still not announced his separation from Paradis, the two kept their relationship status private.
By December 2012, Depp was reportedly putting money down to purchase a new home for the couple.
In later testimonies, Depp would discuss a ritual of Heard’s toward the start of their relationship in which she would insist on taking Depp’s boots off for him when he stepped into the door of their home. Depp stated that on at least one occasion, Heard expressed offense when he attempted to take his boots off by himself. Heard agreed to the ritual but denied that it was anything other than a kind gesture or that she would have stopped him from taking his own boots off.
In October, notes from Heard’s therapist at the time, Dr. Bonnie Jacobs, state that Heard “decided to date J but needs to keep it a secret.” The notes write that Heard had talked to Depp regarding concerns over his drinking and had “asked him to slow down,” as well as had discussed with Depp their respective childhood traumas. Jacobs wrote, “he knows [about] her parents and childhood” and said that Heard “[felt] bad for him because his father was also [an] abusive alcoholic.” The notes mention Depp’s father “[using] belts [and] chains” on him” and “burn[ing] him [with] cigarettes” as well as Depp having “scars all over [his] body, including [his] head.”
Notes from the following month further detail Heard’s alleged concerns about Depp’s “drinking and drug use,” stating that Depp would “sometimes” become so intoxicated that Heard had to help him get into bed. Jacobs wrote that she “pointed out [Heard] is enabling [Depp] in [a] similar way she enables [her] parents, minus the money.” Jacobs apparently suggested that Heard refuse to see Depp while he was using. Heard said she felt that she “can’t do that but will try.”
Four days later, Jacobs wrote that Heard had “tried refusing to see” Depp while he was drunk. Her notes state that Depp “got angry” but was “mostly sober” the next night they were together. Heard allegedly told Jacobs that she was “feeling better” about their relationship but was “tired of hiding” that they were together and was worried that when she wasn’t with Depp, he was “hurt” or “cheating.” Jacobs notes state that Heard was “afraid to discuss [Depp’s] using or drinking because he will get loud [and] physical.” Jacobs apparently “questioned if [Depp] has ever hit [Heard],” however, Heard said he “only yells and throws things.”
According to Jacobs’ notes from November 25, 2011, Heard and Jacobs discussed Depp’s similarities to Heard’s allegedly abusive father. Heard told Jacobs that Depp “has a loving side” and her father, “not so much.”
Heard allegedly complained to Jacobs that “too many people” were dependent on Depp for “financial support” and said that Depp’s friends, bodyguards, and sister all enabled his addictions.
Heard claimed in a recent testimony that shortly after the two began seeing each other, Depp was discussing marriage, saying he once playfully made a fake engagement ring out of aluminum foil that he put on Heard’s ring finger.
December 2011– Johnny is sober/Landlord threatens to call the police
In court documents from the defamation trial in the UK, Depp’s legal team claimed that Depp remained sober from around December 2011 until August 2012.
In notes from Heard’s therapy sessions, Jacobs writes on December 19th that Depp had arrived at Heard’s apartment earlier that month “extremely drunk” which made Heard angry. According to the notes, Depp began “screaming and cursing,” leading to a fight that became so loud, Heard’s landlord allegedly threatened to call the police. Jacobs wrote that Heard “doesn’t know what to do when he gets like that,” and said that after the argument, Heard didn’t hear from Depp for a few days and “got worried.” The notes state that Heard was “certain she [could] help him get sober.”
In Jacobs’ notes from December 27th, Heard allegedly claimed that Depp was “better,” however she was not sure he would remain sober.
December 2011– Alleged incident involving Johnny’s bodyguards
At an Iggy and the Stooges concert at the Hollywood Palladium, members of Depp’s security team were alleged to have assaulted a UC Irvine professor named Robin A. Eckert.
Eckert claims Depp’s bodyguards “bear-hugged” her and attempted to take her iPhone, which contained confidential information related to her work as a physician. They then dragged her through the VIP area and dropped her to the ground.
According to Eckert, the bodyguards also falsely claimed to be off-duty police officers. In a lawsuit against Depp and the bodyguards, Eckert says the guards showed her a set of handcuffs and pretended to try and arrest her, grabbing her wrist and dragging her about 40 feet. Eckert says she was already on medical leave from her job due to a disability that left her walking with a cane and needing other walking assistance. The incident, she claims, caused her condition to worsen as she now has a limited range of motion and soreness in an elbow that was dislocated during the incident.
According to Depp through his attorney, Eckert had assaulted him and therefore “consented to any assault and battery” she may have suffered at the hands of his security staff.
Eckert has claimed that she did not assault Depp, she simply danced “too close” to him.
Depp would later settle the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount.
January 2012– Amber "dresses like a whore"
In Jacobs’ notes from January 18, 2022, Heard reported she and Depp had had a “good time” on a recent vacation, however, “there were times when she believed she knew what it was like to be her mother.” Jacobs wrote that Heard was “reluctant to tell [her] what happened because she ‘knew what’ [Jacobs] would say.” Jacobs went on to write that Depp had been “very drunk, using, [and] angry.” She stated that Heard “tried to calm him down” and “asked him not to drink or use so much which made him angrier.” Heard “[admitted to] screaming back [at] him.” He allegedly hit Heard and “threw her on the floor.” Heard allegedly threw a pot at him.
In addition to the alleged physical altercation, Heard apparently told Jacobs that Depp had become verbally abusive, telling her she “dresses like a ‘whore’” and instructed her to no longer wear “low cut dresses, shirts, etc.”
Heard allegedly told Jacobs that after Depp “sobers up” he is “always apologetic [and] sweet.”
February 2012– Amber meets Johnny's kids
On February 2, 2012, Jacobs wrote that Heard discussed meeting Depp’s children for the first time and mentioned Depp suffering financial troubles that may result in him having to sell his boat.
Jacobs also wrote that Depp wanted Heard to “wear ‘sexy’ nightgowns” however Heard was “embarrassed if [his] kids [were] in the room.”
February 13, 2012– Amber complains about Johnny's enablers
In therapist notes from February 13th, 2012, Jacobs writes that Heard discussed “how difficult it is for her to not enable J’s behavior,” as well as claimed that Depp is given drugs by his friends, bodyguards, and sister. The notes state, “[Depp’s] sister is his manager [and] works to keep him happy so he can financially support [their] family,” and “people are willing to get him whatever he wants because he’s a celebrity [and] he pays them.”
February 27, 2012– Amber panics
In Jacobs’ notes from February 27th, 2012, she writes that Heard “said [she] becomes panicked when J takes off for days [and] she doesn’t hear from him.”
Depp’s sister allegedly told Heard that he did that “on occasion.”
Heard allegedly told Jacobs that she believed Depp was going on “benders” when this happened and worried he would get hurt or was cheating on her.
March 2012– Johnny gets jealous
On March 5, 2012, Heard apparently told Jacobs that Depp had begun getting “angry [and] jealous” whenever Heard was photographed with men eating out.
Four days later, Jacobs wrote that Heard expressed fears about her father leaking the secret that Depp and Heard were in a relationship as Depp had not yet publicized his split from Paradis. Depp allegedly told Heard that they would go public “soon,” and while Heard apparently found “some of the ways” they were remaining private “funny,” she also was tired of it.
In addition to this, Heard allegedly told Jacobs that Depp had been drinking and using drugs “less” but that this usually “[didn’t] last long.”
March 22, 2012– Johnny thanks Elton John
In an email to Elton John, Depp thanked the singer for his support in his sobriety. In the email, Depp referred to a version of himself as “the monster,” despite later claiming that this name was something only said by Heard in an effort to demean him.
April 2012– Amber's therapist cautions her
On April 2nd, 2012, Jacobs wrote that Heard claimed she “still feels badly ‘doing nothing’ when [Depp] needs to be taken to bed” and said she was “struggling with letting him stay on the floor when he passes out.” Jacobs wrote that they “discussed how no [consequences for] substance abuse behavior [is] enabling [to the] user.”
On April 10th, Jacobs’ notes state that she and Heard “continued discussing co-dependent behavior and how just checking up on [Depp] and [Heard’s] parents is [co-dependent].”
Heard apparently told Jacobs that when she doesn’t hear from Depp, she is worried that he’s hurt or “wants to break up.” Jacobs wrote that she told Heard this is “controlling behavior to keep her hooked in,” however, Heard “didn’t understand” how that was controlling and stated that she loves Depp.
In addition to this, Heard allegedly told Jacobs that Depp “becomes enraged because she ‘nags’ him about drinking and drugging.” Heard also said that Depp “stays out with his friends [and] doesn’t get in until [the] early morning.” She said, “He’s missed a number of work, meetings, [and] call times because he’s too messed up to get there.” Jacobs told her that keeping track of Depp’s appointments is also co-dependent behavior.
April 18, 2012– Amber goes to post-office with split lip
Depp would later go on to say that Heard had a habit of biting her chapped lips, often making them bleed.
April 26, 2012– Johnny's using less
In Jacobs’ notes from April 26th, 2012, Heard allegedly told Jacobs that Depp was receiving help for his substance abuse but was seeing a psychiatrist rather than a psychologist.
Jacobs wrote that Depp “[seemed] to using less but [was] still using.” Heard allegedly reported that she and Depp were not having “as many arguments” and said she was “glad they [were] getting along better.”
May 17, 2012– Johnny is jealous of men and women
Jacobs wrote in her notes from May 17th, 2012, that Heard reported Depp becoming upset with her after she went out with “a male friend.” Heard also claimed that Depp had begun exhibiting jealousy when Heard was seen with female friends as well (with the exception of Raquel Pennington and iO Tillett Wright—Wright now goes by he/him pronouns) since she is bisexual and he had become increasingly worried that she would cheat on him.
Heard apparently stated that she “continually” told Depp she would not, however, according to Jacobs, Depp “[wanted] to tell [Heard] who she [could] or [couldn’t] see.”
Jacobs wrote that Depp “frequently engage[d] in name calling.”
May 24, 2012– Johnny can't maintain an erection
According to Jacobs’ notes from May 24th, 2012, Heard told her that she gets uncomfortable when Depp touches her while drunk as well as claimed Depp sometimes had trouble maintaining an erection while high. The notes further state, “[Depp] gets angry [and] sometimes violent when that happens. [He] blames her for his failure.”
June 2012– Johnny announces separation from former partner
By June of 2012, Depp and Heard were already a couple, however, were still keeping their relationship private as Depp said he did not want Heard blamed for his split from Paradis.
June 2012– Amber buys Johnny a knife
As a birthday gift, Heard bought Depp a knife with an inscription that translates to “until death.” According to Heard, Depp had an interest in knives and loved the color turquoise.
June 28, 2012– Johnny and Amber's dad are drinking buddies
In therapy notes from June 28th, 2012, Jacobs wrote that Heard claimed Depp and her father had become “drinking buddies.”
August 7, 2012– Johnny goes into rage
In notes from August 7th, 2012, Jacobs wrote that Heard had had a “rough time” with Depp. She stated that Depp had “disappeared” for a short time and Heard had gotten worried. The couple then allegedly argued about who Heard was seeing as Depp accused her of cheating.
Heard allegedly denied cheating but Depp went into “a rage” and threw things. Jacobs writes that glass flew near Heard’s head during the argument.
Heard allegedly told Jacobs that she could not bring herself to go home or not go to Depp’s house when he is drinking or on drugs because she was afraid that Depp would get hurt if she weren’t there.
August 2012– Amber is photographed with a bruise
In August of 2012, Heard was photographed walking around New York with her dog. Some have speculated that the dark area spotted between her eye and nose was a bruise or black eye that had faded.
September 28, 2012– Johnny rips Amber's nightgown
In notes from September 28th, 2012, Jacobs wrote that Heard and Depp had begun fighting again, stating, “He [is] violent. Throwing things. Some hit her. She [screams] back.”
Jacobs wrote that the alleged argument started because Depp was upset about Heard’s clothes. She reported that Depp had “ripped [Heard’s] nightgown,” then “threw her on [the] bed [and] tried to have sex but couldn’t get [an] erection.” She wrote that this caused Depp to become angrier, however he then “passed out.”
Depp allegedly promised Heard that he would get clean and Heard claimed he had missed some appointments because of his drug use.
A week later, Heard told Jacobs that Depp had been sober since their last fight, leading her to conclude that she was sure they could stay together as long as he remained sober.
On October 11th, Jacobs wrote that Depp was still sober and he and Heard had spent some time with his children as well as his mother together. According to Jacobs’ notes, Depp’s mother was “very demanding [and] nasty.” Jacobs also states that both of Depp’s parents were abusive in his childhood, however, Depp’s father was “worse” than his mother. She writes, “[Depp’s father] abused all of them but [Depp’s mother] allowed it by staying.”
On October 24th, Jacobs wrote that Heard was “tired of hiding” their relationship.
November 2012– Johnny's substance problems persist
On November 1st, 2012, Jacobs recorded that Heard was having trouble with Depp’s recent absence. The notes state, “[Heard] doesn’t want to feel dependent on hearing from him to be calm.”
On November 15th, Jacobs wrote that Depp had begun drinking with Heard’s father. Heard complained to Jacobs that her father was a misogynist who said “horrible things [about] how women should be treated to [Depp].” After spending time with Heard’s father, the notes state that Depp would become “verbally [and] sexually abusive” and has “thrown [Heard] on [the] bed to have ‘angry sex.’” The notes also state that Depp would have trouble getting erect if he had been drinking which would cause him to get angrier, then prompting him to blame Heard “for his incompetence.”
On November 28th, Heard told Jacobs that she believed Depp’s psychiatrist was a “yes man” due to Depp’s wealth and fame.
December 20, 2012– Amber leaves Johnny on the couch
In Jacobs’ notes from December 20, 2012, Heard allegedly said that Depp had passed out on their couch and, instead of helping him to bed, she decided to leave him there for the night.
March 3, 2013– Amber and Johnny go public
Jacobs’ notes from March 6, 2013, state that Heard and Depp had decided to go public with their relationship. While they did not make a formal announcement, the couple was later spotted holding hands at a Rolling Stone concert in April, however, Jacobs’ notes from March indicate that Heard had been upset that Depp went to a Rolling Stones concert without her prior to that outing. The notes state, “[Heard] felt very hurt that he would leave her out knowing she loves the Stones. [She] kept asking why he would do that. [She] feels uncared for [and] unloved when he does those things [and] feels punished for complaining [about] his using."
Early 2013– First alleged assault
Amber’s account: Depp was highly intoxicated when Heard asked him what one of his tattoos said. He told her, “wino forever,” which he had had changed from “Winona forever” following his split from Winona Ryder. Heard thought he was kidding, prompting her to laugh, which Depp seemingly found offensive.
Depp then slapped Heard across the face. Still thinking he was joking, she continued to laugh, prompting Depp to slap her across the face again and yell, “You think you’re funny, bitch!?”
After slapping Heard a third time, she fell to the floor.
Depp would go on to apologize, falling to his knees and crying while he said, “I thought I put the monster away.”
Johnny’s account: Depp does not remember the conversation taking place but doesn’t think the allegation makes “any sense.” He views the tattoos on his body as something akin to diary entries, therefore he would not be offended enough to become physically violent just because someone mocked his tattoos.
Heard’s depiction of his alcohol and substance abuse is highly exaggerated though he does confess to breaking his sobriety within their relationship. This was due to Heard’s constant abuse of Depp, both physical and verbal.
“It could begin with a slap,” he said. “It could begin with a shove, it could begin with throwing a TV remote at my head. It could begin with throwing a glass of wine at my face.”
Heard would insult him as a person and as a parent. Anytime he didn’t do as he wished, she would claim he was a different version of himself that she named “the monster.” This was a way to gaslight Depp into believing his behavior was to blame for their conflict.
March 8, 2013– Second alleged assault
Amber’s account: Depp became upset about a painting hanging in Heard’s home. The painting had been created by Heard’s former partner, Tasya Van Ree, which caused Depp to become jealous and threaten to light the painting on fire.
As a fight between the two escalated, Depp hit Heard across the face, hard enough for blood from her lip to hit the wall of her home.
Johnny’s account: As the painting was hanging above Heard’s bed, Depp did find the placement inappropriate. He kindly asked Heard to move it somewhere else in the home. At no point did he become violent.
Heard also told Jacobs that tabloids had begun writing “vicious things [about] her,” blaming her for Depp’s breakup with Paradis. She said that the studios protect Depp rather than her and told Jacobs that “word of [Depp’s] drinking [and] drugs hardly ever make tabloids.” She also allegedly said that “no one knows how many times he has thrown things at her [and] other people or shown up late to call times because of drugs [and] alcohol.”
March 12, 2013– "Disco Bloodbath" text
On March 12th, Depp texted Heard. In a short exchange, the couple references an incident from the previous Friday (March 8th) as a “disco bloodbath.”
Heard claims this is evidence of Depp’s assault on her. Depp claims that it was not an acknowledgment of any actual violence on his part.
March 18, 2013– Johnny threatens to kill Amber
According to notes from Heard’s therapy session with Jacobs on March 18th, 2013, Heard reported that her mother had told her to “not be so hard on [Depp]” and “to go along more.” Heard apparently got angry because that is what her mother had done regarding her father’s abuse.
Heard told Jacobs that Depp did not usually hit or belittle her in front of his own children, however, he threw her against a wall and threatened to kill her while in her apartment. Heard said that her landlord threatened to call the police but she told them that everything was fine.
After that, Heard said Depp was “loving and nice again” and was “sorry he hurt her.” Heard acknowledged to Jacobs that she had begun screaming back at Depp and “putting him down.”
March 22, 2013–Amber's texts to family
Heard took the above photograph on March 22, 2013, to document Depp’s drug use.
The photo depicts lines of cocaine and some form of whiskey along with another alcoholic beverage.
The box in the photo with the inscription, “Property of J.D.,” was said by Heard to hold Depp’s cocaine. Depp initially denied he kept cocaine in that box, saying during his cross-examination in the recent US trial that a box would be an insufficient storage method for powder. During cross-examination in the UK trial of 2020, however, he accepted that he likely did store cocaine in the box.
Heard texted the photo to her friend, Raquel Pennington, on March 22. The same day, she texted Depp’s sister, Christi Dembrowski, saying, “He’s another person when he’s like this. He’s fuelled up on booze and coke ... He finds something to jump on and then uses it as an excuse to dose himself up. Which is where he is now. Wasted.” Heard and Dembrowski continued to have a back-and-forth as Heard communicated her apparent struggle to get Depp to appear for the filming of Happy, a documentary he was slated to direct. Heard also texted Depp’s assistants with updates on her effort to get Depp to appear for the documentary’s filming.
To her own sister, Heard stated that she and Depp were fighting and that the arguments had gotten “kinda nasty.”
AH: Dealing with Johnny’s spiral. It’s terrible mom. I don’t know what to do
PH: Get away - go somewhere else. Tell him you love him totally and this is the only way to protect that love. Come home, go to a motel, anywhere that’s safe until it passes. You have to remove yourself from that spiral - not his love but please leave. Say I have an emergency if you need to. Please
PH: … What can I do? Can I call with an emergency?
PH: I am so very sorry but you have to change something or what happened last time is inevitable. I know you hate to lie and take things head-no but not right now…
AH: He’s nuts mom. Violent and crazy. I am heartbroken that THIS is who I love.
PH: You should tell your dad and be honest. JD will listen best chance.
AH: I can’t tell dad.
AH: It’s OK mom. He’s not being violent with me. He’s just even raging in general. And the crazy mood swings and binges are really difficult for me to handle…
…
AH: No - my heart is broken. I’m OK physically. JD didn’t hit me or anything last night. I told him that would be if he did and it worked last night. But I’m scared by who I see now. It’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - on a binge.
In the morning of the next day, Heard told her mother that she had deadbolted the locks on her bedroom during the night and had her “first peaceful night.”
In a text to Depp’s agent, Christian Carino, Heard wrote, “…JD fell off the wagon last night- hardcore. He’s on hour 24 of a major binge - sis is her trying to help. Long story…. Trying to escape here soon though- and will head over to yours.”
Toward the end of the day, Pennington texted Heard asking about her plans for the night. After telling Pennington that she was going to Carino’s home for dinner, she informed her of her apparent struggles in her relationship with Depp, writing, “JD has been crazy. He’s on a major bend and I am so fucking of the drama. I can’t even tell you. I feel really lonely and freaked out.”
March 23, 2013– Photo of bruises
On March 23rd, Heard texted her mother referring to Depp saying, “He makes dad look like a saint when he falls off the wagon.” The two had a back-and-forth regarding Depp’s alleged drug problems and the potential for his recovery, as well as Depp’s relationship with Heard’s father who apparently had not been made aware of the alleged problems in the couples’ relationship and thought of Depp as his “bro.”
She also sent her mother a photo of a bruise she claims was caused by Depp, however, metadata could not confirm the date the photo was taken.
Heard allegedly told Jacobs that Depp had gotten “nasty” and grabbed her arm.
He then allegedly passed out in Heard’s living room, however, she left him there.
Heard also discussed the possibility of moving in with Depp to Jacobs, saying she believed his behavior would improve when they lived together.
On April 30th, Heard allegedly told Jacobs that Depp had gotten drunk at her birthday party and was using more. She said she tried to “stay away” when they are using but that causes Depp to get angry. She said he was “always sorry [the] next day” and that he said he would try to see a therapist more.
May 8, 2013– Johnny burns himself with cigarettes
During a therapy session with Jacobs on May 8th, 2013, Heard allegedly complained that she couldn’t get Depp to stop drinking or using illicit substances.
She reportedly told Jacobs that Depp had been late and missing work due to his substance abuse issues and said that some of his friends were angry about his “unprofessional” behavior.
Heard also alleged that Depp would get “so angry [with himself that] he burns himself [with] cigarettes.” She claimed that when she tried to get him to stop, he would get angrier.
May 13, 2013– Johnny asks Amber to stop wearing low-cut or tight-fiting clothes
In Jacobs’ notes from May 13th, she writes that Heard alleged Depp had become jealous of her filming with other men. He also allegedly told Heard that he didn’t want her dressing in low-cut or tight-fitting clothing anymore.
On May 23rd, Jacobs also wrote that Heard was worried about Depp using drugs while she was away filming.
Early June 2013– Fight in Hicksville, California
Amber’s account: In early June, the couple spent some time with friends and stayed at a cabin in Hicksville, CA. Everyone was under the influence of something and having a nice time until a woman by the name of Kelly Sue put her head on Heard’s shoulder and touched her arm.
Depp became extremely jealous and hostile, telling Kelly Sue to get off of Heard. At first, Kelly Sue thought Depp was kidding, which enraged him more. He got up, grabbed Kelly Sue’s wrist, and threatened to break it.
Later, at their private cabin, Depp and Heard got into a violent argument. Depp threw and smashed glass, ripped Heard’s dress, and damaged the interior of the cabin.
Johnny’s account: Depp was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana but he was not out of control.
Kelly Sue was touching Heard in a way that was “extremely sexual.” He did not grab her wrist or attempt to insult or intimidate her in any way, he merely asked her to stop touching Heard.
“I removed Miss Kelly Sue’s hand from Ms Heard’s body,” he said. “And told her not to do that.”
When they went back to the cabin, Heard became verbally abusive to Depp and instigated an argument between them. He did, then, knock a sconce off of a wall in the cabin, but that was the extent of the damage.
“I was very upset,” he stated. “At yet again being treated as, pardon the expression, the turd in the punchbowl. That was not something I deserved for doing what I thought right and correct.”
At no point did he become physically abusive toward Heard.
When he spoke with the manager of the property, he explained what happened and agreed to pay for the damages to the cabin, which the manager agreed to without issue.
Other accounts
Kristina Sexton (Amber Heard’s acting coach and friend): Sexton heard screaming and shouting from outside the cabin and recognized Depp’s voice. She went into the cabin the next day and testified that the cabin was “pretty messed up” and the damage was more than just a broken wall light. She said there was broken glass everywhere as well as torn fabric and everything was in disarray.
Raquel “Rocky” Pennington (friend of Amber Heard): Pennington witnessed Depp speaking to Kelly Sue. He said something to the effect of, “Get off my woman,” and was “angry and aggressive.”
Heard reported to Pennington the next day and said Depp had been angry the preceding night and that he “trashed” the cabin.
Whitney Henriquez (sister of Amber Heard): Henriquez went to bed early on the night of the alleged incident and did not witness Depp’s interactions with Kelly Sue or his fight with Heard. The next morning, she visited Depp and Heard’s trailer and stated that it “looked like a bomb had gone off” inside. Many things were broken and messy; it looked like someone had “ransacked it.”
Malcolm Connolly (bodyguard for Johnny Depp): Depp spoke with the manager of the cabin on his own and dealt with the problem.
Connolly did not look inside the cabin.
Morgan Night (owner of the Hicksville Trailer Park at the time of the incident): When Night spoke with Depp and Heard upon arrival, Depp was kind and friendly, while Heard was quiet.
Everyone seemed to be in a good mood until the couple split from the group, after which Heard began yelling at Depp, who was “cowering” and “seemed almost afraid.” Night thought that was an odd thing to see as Depp was so much older than Heard.
Night testified as a witness during the most recent trial and tweeted his disapproval of what he witnessed of Heard’s behavior prior to taking the stand:
Night also stated that the damage in the cabin was minimal and corroborated Depp’s claim that only the light fixture was affected.
Other information to consider:
Morgan Night’s inconsistencies: Though Night tweeted that he had been with Depp and Heard “all night,” in his court testimony, he stated that he had only been with the couple for about 45 minutes to an hour.
June 4, 2013– Amber's "beaver"
On June 4th, as revealed by recently unsealed court documents, Paul Bettany wrote in a text to Depp:
“I just thought of a way for us to make a lot of money! I know you already have a lot of money but I mean A LOT of money and with very little effort. First of all we buy Amber a pet beaver and then we take pictures of you shaving said beaver. All that's left is to do is to create a website with the domain name ‘Johnny Depp shaves Amber Hurd's beaver’ and then we sell advertising space like fucking crazy!!! Clearly there are many spin offs- you could poke, stroke, punch etc.”
June 11, 2013– Amber's email
In June of 2013, Heard wrote an email addressed to herself outlining her problems with her’s and Depp’s relationship. It states:
“I just don’t know if I can do this anymore.
It’s like dr Jekyll and mr Hyde half of you I love. madly. the other half scares me. I can’t take him. I wish I could but I can’t the problem is, I never really know/ understand which one Im dealing with until it’s too late.
The drinking assures me that I am dealing with the monster the abused scared insecure violent little boy. I just can’t tell where the line starts Also drugs seem to guarantee I will be forced to deal with the monster as well once again it’s knowing what/how much/ and when – which makes all the difference. sometimes the hangover, te morning after is just as bad as the full on disco bloodbath I’ve come to expect you live in a world of enablers you cut out and resent (whether you realize it or not) everyone who isn’t an enabler I can make a clear distinction as to who falls into which category with complete ease. ...
I myself watch you pass out cold on the floor after drinking yourself sick one of these times you cut yourself so badly that you needed stitches.”
Since the email was not addressed or sent to Depp, he told the UK court that he believes the message to be a part of Heard’s “hoax,” building up a dossier of evidence to use later as “an insurance policy.”
June 11, 2013– Text message to Paul Bettany
The following text messages were a conversation between Depp and his friend, fellow actor Paul Bettany:
JD: Let’s burn Amber!!!
PB: Having thought it through I don’t think we should burn Amber– she’s delightful company and easy on the eye, plus I’m not sure she’s a witch. We could of course try the English course of action in these predicaments–we do a drowning test. Thoughts?
N.B I have a pool.
JD: Let’s drown her before we burn her!!! I will fuck her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she is dead…
PB: My thoughts entirely! Lets be CERTAIN before we pronounce her a witch.
Depp has claimed that the texts are written with colorful language, however, they were not intended to express any violent behaviors from Depp toward Heard.
Heard has said Depp’s friendship with Bettany played a part in Depp’s overuse of illicit substances, while Depp has claimed that Heard only disapproved of their friendship as a method of control.
“I was resentful of the fact that Ms Heard was very aggressive and quite insulting about my use of alcohol, or, if cocaine came into the picture, she did not like Mr Bettany, and I am afraid she did not really like me that much either, and she was constantly harping on things that did not even exist.”
The court document also writes, “At another point in his cross-examination, Mr Depp commented that he was twice the age of Ms Heard and her lectures were not appropriate.”
Under cross-examination in the UK, Depp was questioned about other text messages of an unknown date from Depp which used what Depp called “offensive” language. Depp and purportedly his ex-wife (in his contacts as “Marino”) wrote conversed:
Depp: "I will bring some cash over to pay and tip the 25 bitch."
Marino: "Yeah, sloppy slut."
Depp: "Fucking ugly, fat whore."
Marino: "Bring the cash and the whore."
Depp: "For the idiot cow.”
Depp: "Will do. I'll 13 smack the ugly cunt around before I let her in. Don't worry."
Then 30 minutes later, Depp wrote, "Did that worthless hooker arrive?"
Depp could not identify who the “bitch/sloppy slut/fat whore/idiot cow/ugly cunt” was that he and “Marino” were referring to, however, he denied the allegation that he had hired a sex worker and stated that the text exchange was a joke, saying:
“We may be talking about no one. This is an exchange of absurdity. It is nothing. It is a joke exchange. We were laughing about it. I mean, we are not talking about anyone in particular that I can recall. And if we were talking about someone in particular, we were certainly talking about them in a joking way. The chances are that is the words, "ugly, fat whore" came up, and all these kinds of references. I would say that person would probably be the very opposite of what we are saying. They are probably the nicest person in the world and skinny and all that. But the humour comes out of saying, ‘What an ugly, ugly thing.’… This is, like, as random and as ignorant a spew of verbiage that is based on nothing. You can talk to me about this for the next three days if you like. I cannot tell you what it is about, but I can tell you it is a joke.”
July 10, 2013– Amber's photoshoot
On July 10th, Depp and his sister, Christi Dembrowski, exchanged text messages in which Depp seemed to express annoyance at Heard’s career obligations, writing, “It was not pleasant today. I wasn’t aware she had another goddamn photoshoot tomorrow… That’s really why she fucking left. I don’t need actress bullshit and her fucking ambition…”
“Don’t call me again and do NOT expect anything from me.
…
Have a great shoot, you sicken me.
Leave me fuckin’ be, officer square head.
Your display of guilt and matronliness as as lesbian camp councilor was plenty…
Don’t call again… I will begin to feel embarrassed for you… Go away,
COACH!!!”
July 11, 2013– Johnny's "ugly colors"
In another message to Bettany, Depp states that he “pounded and displayed ugly colors” to Heard on a “recent journey.”
July 13, 2013– Johnny tells Elton John about Amber
In another email to Elton John, Depp discussed his relationship with Heard and said his children have fallen “head over heels in deep love” with her. He also says that he’s sure “the french extortionist (ex cunt)” will imminently try to “brain wash them against her.” This is presumably a reference to Depp’s ex, Vanessa Paradis, the mother of his two children.
There are mixed reports regarding Heard’s relationship with Depp’s children. Depp would later claim that his children did not approve of their relationship, though there are text exchanges between Depp and his daughter in which his daughter is praising Heard.
Depp’s daughter later called her father “the sweetest, most loving person [she] knows” following Heard’s initial accusations of abuse. It’s presumed that she still supports Depp, however, she has not spoken extensively about the allegations, nor has Depp’s son.
July 27, 2013– Blog questions bruises on Amber
On July 27th, 2013, a wordpress blog titled “Jambernews” posted a photo of Heard in Russia with a caption including the question, “Oh and can someone please tell me why there are several photos of Amber with bruises on her? Is the girl falling off her horse a lot of what???”
Jacobs wrote that Heard had been “yelling” at Depp about his drug and alcohol use. The notes state, “He [is] falling down, passing out, and [committing] verbal abuse. She screamed [at] him [about] public behavior like kissing JK on TV.”
She also wrote that arguments between Depp and Heard had gotten more frequent and said that Depp was hitting himself and Heard. Heard allegedly told Depp she would leave him if he didn’t stop and get help, however, Jacobs writes, “She took it back after he promised he would.”
Jacobs advised Heard to stop hiding and emptying Depp’s bottles of alcohol.
Four days later, Jacobs wrote that the couple was “still arguing” but had gotten “a little better,” writing that Depp was drinking “less” and “has not blacked out or gotten violent in [the] past few days.”
Heard told Jacobs that she was certain Depp was committed to getting better but said he was having trouble with movie studios because of his actions. She also complained that Depp’s friends still wanted to “party” with him.
By August 13th, Jacobs wrote that Heard and Depp were discussing marriage.
On the 20th, Jacobs questioned Heard’s desire to move in with Depp but Heard stated that he was “getting better” and was not drinking as much.
September 6, 2013– Other uses for Amber's throat
On September 6th, 2013, Depp and Heard exchanged messages via text referencing letters the couple apparently wrote to one another, then briefly alluding to the volatile nature of their relationship. Depp writes, “The only reason we go for the throat is love,” to which Heard responds, “My throat is yours,” followed by, “You’re going to be the death of me. But I don’t care.” Depp then states, “I have other uses for your throat which do not include injury.”
September 9, 2013– "Gauntlet" text
As seen in recently unsealed documents that did not make it to trial, Depp sent the following text message to Heard on September 9th:
“You know what I want, who I am and where I want to go with us ... You know very well what type of fucking man I am. And, yet... You lay a gauntlet before me that you know is the very species of danger that will always attract me into a very tempting test... What's behind that door??? Almost impossible to nit take you on ... You want me to roll the dice??? This sounds more like an aggravated ultimatum than the soft words that could help to make us both feel better!!! Don't test me, please ...”
October 11, 2013– Johnny's text to assistant
On October 11th, Depp sent a text to his assistant, Stephen Deuters, writing:
“Will you squat in front of the door of the master bedroom and leave a giant coil of dookie so that Amber steps in it and thinks that one of the dogs, primarily Boo, has a major problem. It’ll be funny!!!”
Later, Depp would accuse Heard of defecating on their shared bed as a “prank.” Heard has responded to the accusation saying that the couple’s dog, Boo, was known to have poor bowel control.
January 17,2014– Engagement
On January 17, People announced that Depp and Heard were engaged to be married.
January 2014– Continued problems following engagement
On January 1st, 2014, Jacobs wrote in her notes that Heard and Depp were getting engaged. Heard reported to her that the Holidays were “ok” but Depp was using drugs again. Jacobs wrote that Heard “[feared] she [was] failing because [she couldn’t] get [Depp] to be sober.”
On the 16th, Jacobs wrote that the couple was “not public [with] engagement yet,” but said the announcement would take place that month.
Jacobs stated that Depp and Heard’s father were still “drinking buddies,” and wrote that Heard had banned her father from their hotel room.
On the 20th, Jacobs wrote that Depp had been showing up late to work and Heard had tried to convince him to not use drugs the night before going to work.
On the 23rd, Jacobs stated that Depp had become “verbally assaultive” due to a lack of alcohol. Heard admitted to Jacobs that she had dumped out some of Depp’s bottles which Jacobs advised her against.
On the 30th, Heard complained to Jacobs that Depp’s sister was “causing problems” by helping Depp gain access to drugs and alcohol. Heard allegedly said that “too many people support his using.”
February 3rd 2014– Johnny and Amber plan their engagement party
During a therapy session on February 3rd, Heard told Jacobs that Depp had invited people to their upcoming engagement party that she didn’t “care for” because “they use [and Depp] uses more when [with] them.”
During the session, Jacobs also reported that Heard and Depp had discussed getting a prenup before their wedding. Heard allegedly said she would sign one but that Depp was refusing, saying the “only way one of them [is] leaving [the] marriage is death.” Jacobs asked Heard if she thought that sentiment was scary, however, Heard said she found it “funny” and “endearing.”
February 5, 2014– Christi's texts to Johnny
Depp’s sister, Dembrowski, sent text messages to Depp stating, “Stop drinking… Stop coke… Stop pills.”
Dembrowski has gone on to testify that she never witnessed her brother abusing drugs, and said she got this information from Heard. She would go on to state that her belief in her brother’s supposed substance abuse was a result of claims made by Heard. There is evidence contradicting this claim, as Dembrowski was indisputably made aware of Depp’s drug usage by one of Depp’s assistants as well as Depp’s later doctor.
February 11, 2014– Whitney's exchange with Johnny
Heard’s sister, Whitney Henriquez, sent a text to Depp, writing, “By the way! You never responded to my other text! The ‘van Pee’ painting earned you twenty points in my book cunado.”
This is a reference to an incident in which Depp vandalized a painting owned by Heard, changing the signature from Tasya Van Ree–the name of Heard’s former partner–to Tasya Van Pee.
Depp responded to Henriquez, writing, “Subtle, eh??? Made me laugh as I was doing it!!! Thanks, sweetheart!!! Can’t stand that fucking hovering vulture!!!”
February 12, 2014– Johnny breaks a table
During a therapy session on February 12th, 2014, Heard allegedly told Jacobs that Depp had recently gotten drunk, causing him to fall and break a table.
Though Heard decided to leave him there “passed out,” when she awoke in the morning, Depp was back in his bed. She told Jacobs that she did not know if Depp had gotten there himself or if his bodyguards had helped him.
Heard also told Jacobs that movie studios were getting increasingly upset about Depp’s behavior as he had failed to show up to set times. She was allegedly worried that he would behave badly at their upcoming engagement party.
March 2014– Engagement party
On March 3rd, 2014, Jacobs asked Heard if she was having some “second thoughts” about her upcoming marriage to Depp. Jacobs recorded that Heard said “yes,” but believed she could help Depp and would have “more say” over things once they were married.
On March 5th, Heard talked to Jacobs about their upcoming engagement party, reportedly telling Jacobs that Depp was planning to make a “short appearance” at the party but would only stay for about 20 minutes.
On March 17th, in a session that took place after the party, Heard complained to Jacobs that Depp only spent a short time with her at the party before going to a private room and staying there the rest of the night to drink and use drugs with his friends and Heard’s father. She and Depp allegedly had a “screaming argument” about this.
March-May 2014– James Franco
During a therapy session with Jacobs on March 19th, 2014, Heard reported that Depp had become jealous about her upcoming “love scenes” with actor James Franco.
In later testimonies, Heard claimed that Depp did not like when she filmed romantic scenes with other actors and was especially uncomfortable with her filming with Franco.
Heard had worked with Franco in the past and described him, according to Depp, as “creepy” and “rapey.”
On May 10, 2014, Heard sent an email to her then-assistant, Kate James, asking James to ensure that Depp didn’t see any one-liners on her schedule out of concern that he would notice the romantic nature of the scenes with Franco and become angry.
On May 15th, 2014, Heard told Jacobs that Depp had gotten angry after seeing a photo of Heard and Franco posing together. Heard said Depp threatened to break up with her over this and threw things at her, then cut and burned himself when she left to go to a friend’s house. Jacobs wrote that Depp “was drunk yelling [that] he was worthless [and that Heard] didn’t love him.”
Jacobs told Heard to call an ambulance when Depp self-mutilates, but Heard said she could not do that due to her fear of the press publishing the story. Heard also said that calling the police would not do anything “because he’s a celebrity.”
May 22, 2014– Dr. Kipper's notes
On the 22nd of May, Depp had his first consultation with Dr. Kipper.
Kipper is a psychiatrist who has been accused in the past of over-prescribing addictive medications to his celebrity clients, including Ozzy Osbourne who was allegedly prescribed as many ass 42 pills per day while under Kipper’s care.
Kipper was publicly reprimanded by the Medical Board of California for poor record-keeping and accused of gross negligence in the care of eight patients in 2004.
In his first session with Depp, Kipper wrote in his notes:
“Mr Depp is a 50 year-old male who has had a life-long history of self-medicating behaviours involving multiple substances of abuse. These include alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines, and stimulants (cocaine).... Impression ... Chronic substance abuse disorder. Plan: ... Maintain current dosing of Roxycodone and Klonopin. Discussed the withdrawal of these two drugs once patient is back in Los Angeles. I would not recommend withdrawal until he completes his current work. ... Psychological counseling after he returns home from Boston and his medications have been properly adjusted.”
May 24, 2014– Airplane incident
Amber’s account: During a trip from Boston to Los Angeles on a private plane, Depp was heavily intoxicated and agitated. He began throwing objects at Heard, who eventually moved seats. Depp pushed a chair at Heard as she walked away, then yelled at and taunted her.
Later, he slapped Heard in the face and pushed her back so that she fell over, after which he threw his boot at her while she laid on the ground. Depp then yelled obscenities at Heard until going into the bathroom and passing out.
In court, she provided an audio recording of Depp “howling” in the bathroom.
Heard had also communicated with Deuters regarding the incident, who claimed to have told Depp that Depp had kicked Heard the following morning.
Johnny’s account: Depp was intoxicated and did blackout during parts of the flight, but he was never violent toward Heard.
Depp had been sketching on the plane when Heard began verbally abusing him. In an effort to make peace, he attempted to playfully touch the bottom of Heard’s foot with his own, however, this did not soothe her temper. She continued berating Depp until he took his pillow and slept in the bathroom to get away from her.
Deuter’s texts as well as his own apology were an effort to placate her by confessing to whatever she alleged. He had been gaslit by Heard throughout their relationship and learned this as a strategy to pacify her.
In the UK trial, Depp challenged the notion that it was him howling in Heard’s audio file or that it was from that specific incident.
Other accounts:
Stephen Deuters (Johnny Depp’s assistant): Dueters had been instructed by Depp to agree with whatever account of events Heard put forth in order to placate her. He supports Depp’s account of events and claims to have never witnessed his boss abusing Heard.
Keenan Wyatt (Johnny Depp’s on-set sound engineer and friend): Wyatt had been on the flight with Depp and Heard and witnessed Heard being “quite and pouty.”
While he stated under cross-examination that he did not recall the exact incident on the plane, Wyatt has not ever witnessed Depp being abusive toward anyone, including Heard.
When Wyatt discovered on the flight that Depp and Heard were arguing, he approached Heard and told her something to the effect of, “You know he cares about you.” After this, Heard abruptly snapped and yelled, “How dare you talk to me. Get away from me.”
Other information to consider:
Johnny’s texts to Amber after the alleged incident: The day after the alleged incident, Depp sent Heard a text message stating that his “illness crept up” on him and that he would never display such behavior again.
Stephen Deuters texts to Amber: The same day of Depp’s texts to Heard, Depp’s assistant, Deuters, also communicated with Heard via text:
SD: “He's in some pain, as you might guess”
SD: “He's been sick. We're gonna get him straight to bed”
SD: “…He's sound asleep. We're here looking out for him.”
AH: “Thanks. Please let me know when you speak to him. Or if there's any major change - or if anything goes wrong”
SD: “He's up. He's much better. Clearer. He doesn't remember much, but we took him thru all that happened. He's sorry. Very sorry. And just wants to get better. Which allows us to make him follow up on that promise.”
SD: “He's teary. He doesn't want to be a fuck-up anymore - his words. He's got bad indigestion this morning but otherwise alright. He's gone back to sleep for a bit…
AH: “If he was, he'd tell me himself I reckon…”
…
AH: “Ok. I've not heard from him. Which I expected.
I still want to fly back to NYC today on the red eye though.
I can't keep doing this.”
SD: “His phone is fucking up. I'm restarting it. You will hear from him, I'm sure. There feels like a sea change in him this morning. He just spoke about how bad he feels and he wasn't talking physically.”
SD: “Think he's just texted you. He's incredibly apologetic and knows that he has done wrong. He wants to get better now. He's been very explicit about that this morning.”
SD: “Feel like we're at a critical juncture.”
AH: “Yes but I don't know how to be around him after what he did to me yesterday.”
AH: “I don't know if I can stay with him.
I need time”
SD: “He wants to see you so much. He's distraught.”
…
AH: “Look, He thinks 'he doesn't deserve this'. Obviously he has no idea what he did or to the extent that he did it. If someone was truly honest with him about how bad it really was, he'd be appalled. The man johnny is would be humiliated. And definitely wouldn't say to me that he doesn't deserve it. I'm sad that he doesn't have a better way to really know the severity of his actions yesterday.
Unfortunately for me, I remember in full detail everything that happened.”
SD: “It was disgusting. And he knows it.”
SD: “He was appalled. When I told him he kicked you, he cried.” I wasn't with him when he sent u the 2nd txt. He read it to me and I said it was the wrong text to send. He then sent the 3rd one and sat and cried again after on the bed. He's a little lost boy. And needs all the help he can get. He is so very sorry, as he should be.”
AH: “He's done this many times before. Tokyo, the island, London (remember that!?), and I always stay. Always believe he's going to get better ... And then every 3 or so month, I'm in the exact same position.”
SD: “I know. It's hideous. But that is one side of the man that you fell in love with. And one side of the man that fell in love with you. I know you're hurting. And you've every right too. And he knows that.”
Johnny’s inconsistencies: While being examined during the trial in the UK, Depp initially claimed that he could not recall if he’d been under the influence of any substances during his flight despite a later text message to Paul Bettany providing documented evidence that he did use multiple substances prior to boarding the flight.
Depp also initially claimed to have a detailed recollection of the flight, however, upon being confronted with text messages mentioning his drug usage, he acknowledged that he did blackout during moments of the trip.
TMG’s claims about Johnny Depp’s “hush money”: The Management Company, Depp’s former business management, entered a legal dispute with Depp in 2017. TMG alleged, among other things, that Depp’s managers had made several payments on his behalf to “conceal acts of violence” as well as Depp’s “drug and alcohol abuse.”
Ahead of the 2022 trial, Heard’s legal team attempted to receive documents from TMG regarding this alleged “hush money,” filing documents with the court stating:
“TMG was aware that Mr. Depp had violently abused Ms. Heard and that he had pressured his employees to make false public statements denying this fact… TMG also paid millions of dollars to various members of Mr. Depp’s staff, many of whom will be witnesses in the Underlying Lawsuit, as well as millions of dollars to ‘bail [Mr. Depp] out of numerous legal crises” and “mak[e] a series of hush money settlements.’…
TMG alleged that Mr. Depp repeatedly coerced individuals to lie to protect him. For example, when text messages were published showing that Mr. Depp’s longtime assistant apologized to Ms. Heard for Mr. Depp’s ‘disgusting’ behavior, Mr. Depp pressured the assistant to falsely and publicly accuse Ms. Heard of “manufacturing” those messages. According to TMG, Mr. Depp ‘knew full well that the text messages were genuine, but pressured and berated his assistant to falsely challenge the texts publicly.’… TMG also alleged that its principal, Joel Mandel, ‘was informed well after the fact through communications with various house staff and security that Depp had been extremely volatile and had sometimes “gotten physical” with Heard’ and that ‘Depp had violently kicked Heard during an incident that took place in or around 2014.’…
In short, the TMG Lawsuit, which was eventually dismissed in August 2018, involved allegations and evidence of Mr. Depp’s abuse of Ms. Heard, as well as information about individuals with knowledge of that abuse and Mr. Depp’s efforts to cover it up.”
TMG objected to Heard’s subpoena, claiming that producing such documents in her defense would be “burdensome” to the company and that the documents were under protective order.
May 27, 2014– Johnny's text to Christi
In a text message to Dembrowski, three days after the aforementioned flight, Depp writes in reference to Heard,
“No reason for her to speak to anyone, let alone a doctor ... I’m out. I’m done. Her actions have added more drama than necessary and when was I unhealthy, exactly??? When I was not sober for a day??? Hmm ... I guess that’s what people call falling off the wagon ... It’s happened to a lot of my friends. ... Their wives don’t stop calling them.”
May 30, 2014– Text message to Paul Bettany
In a message to Bettany, Depp discusses the aforementioned fight as well as his drug usage, writing:
“I’m gonna properly stop the booze thing, darling ... Drank all night before I picked Amber up to fly to LA this past Sunday ... Ugly, mate ... No food for days ... Powders ... Half a bottle of Whiskey, a thousand red bull and vodkas pills, 2 bottles of Champers on plane and what do you get ... ??? An angry, aggro injun in a fuckin blackout, screaming obscenities and insulting any fuck who gets near... I’m done. I am admittedly too fucked in the head to spray my rage at the one I love. For little reason I’m too old to be that guy But, pills are fine!!!”
June 8, 2014– Johnny's message to Patti Smith
In a text message to Patti Smith (or Lee), Depp mentions his “horrific flight” with Amber, then says, “I fucked up and drank and got shitty. Was so disappointed in myself.”
June 24, 2014– Notes from Debbie Lloyd
Nurse Debbie Lloyd, hired as part of Dr. Kipper’s medical staff, recorded notes regarding Depp’s treatment on June 24th. Lloyd said that Heard “voiced concerns of [Depp’s] behavior while using drugs and alcohol” and was supportive of Depp’s decision to detox from drugs.
August 4-7, 2014– Amber's last therapy sessions with Dr. Jacobs until divorce
On August 4th, Jacobs wrote that Heard had reported that Depp had gotten “better” about not acting out “physically.” Jacobs said that Heard “[believed] she [could] manage [their] problems.”
When Jacobs suggested Depp and Heard receive impartial marital counseling, Heard reportedly said that Depp did not want to do this and was only willing to “use someone he knows if anyone.”
On August 7th, Jacobs advised Heard that her problems with Depp were not likely to get better after marriage and would possibly get worse. Heard said she believed things would improve because she would have “more authority” in their household.
August 13, 2014– Johnny worries he's given Amber herpes
On August 13th, Lloyd recorded that Depp was suffering a herpes outbreak and was “upset that he might have given [the] virus to [Heard].”
August 14-18, 2014– Bahamas trip
Amber’s account: Heard was invited to join Depp on a trip to detox and treat his substance abuse. During this time, Depp suffered multiple manic episodes, in which he pushed, kicked, and slapped Heard.
When things got too problematic, Heard contacted Depp’s doctors to request their assistance. She wrote to Dr. Kipper and his team, stating:
“Issue has arisen again. He took the meds about 30 mins ago (which seems to be the trend) as I reckon they haven’t kicked in yet – all of a sudden he’s flipping again. Just started screaming – he was so mad he pushed me and I asked him to get out. Don’t know what else to do. Sorry to keep at you guys.”
Heard later left the trip when it appeared that her presence wasn’t in Depp’s best interest.
Johnny’s account: Depp had not wanted Heard on the trip but she insisted on joining.
At certain moments during Depp’s detox, Heard refused to give him medication that would reduce his withdrawal symptoms.
He was never violent toward Heard, she was verbally and physically abusive toward him.
Heard sent the text to Depp’s doctors as another part of her “insurance policy.”
Other accounts
Tara Roberts (estate manager of Johnny’s home in the Bahamas): Roberts did not see Depp assault Heard at any time, nor did she see any injuries on Heard. She said, “There was nothing out of the ordinary that happened during this visit.”
Debbie Lloyd (nurse of Johnny’s): In notes from August 15th, Lloyd wrote that Heard reported via text that Depp was “paranoid,” “angry,” “freaking out,” and trying to fight with her. Two days dater, Lloyd recorded that Heard again claimed Depp was acting “erratic” and “paranoid” and was “upset and irritable.” When Lloyd and Kipper visited Depp, Lloyed wrote, “He states he had a fight with fiance and is questioning whether or not he can emotionally and physically handle detox.”
Other information to consider:
Amber’s inconsistencies: In her initial testimony during the UK trial, Heard claimed to have a photo of a door Depp damaged during their time on the island. Upon further investigation, the photo appeared to be of the couple’s LA home.
Johnny’s detox: Depp described Heard’s conduct on this trip as “one of the cruellest things she’s ever done.” Under cross-examination in the UK, Depp was questioned about Heard’s actions and their harm to him.
It was discussed that Heard had been following the orders of Depp’s doctors and was in regular contact with Depp’s medical team. While Depp described the extreme pain of his detox experience, it is not clear if Heard was deliberately acting carelessly toward Depp, or if she was simply trying to follow the instructions of Depp’s doctors. In his questioning, Depp and an attorney for the defendant discuss Depp’s objection to the situation:
JD: “[T]here were incidents where, for example, the time allotted for me take my medication by the nurse or by Ms. Heard, if it were 4 p.m. on the dot to take those, and it was 3.15, and I began to get the heeby-jeebies… I have told Ms. Heard that I needed the meds as it was starting to come on… the shakes, the stomach cramps, everything started to come on, and I told her it was time for the meds, I needed the meds, and she looked at the clock and said, ‘No, 4 o'clock.’”
Attorney: “Right, so can I just recap what you are saying. Because Ms. Heard followed the letter of the instructions that she was given to give your medication at four o'clock and did not do what you asked for, to give it at 3.15, you describe that as one of the cruellest things she has ever done; is that right?… Is that what you were referring to when you were talking about the cruellest thing she has ever done?”
JD: “Yes, that is… My body clock was needing the medication to stop the onslaught of this rush of nerves towards the receptors and I was not in a good shape. For someone to be as low -- it is the lowest point, I believe, I have ever been in my life, on the floor, sobbing like a child, and would still not receive the meds.”
Redacted text messages: In court documents unsealed following the verdict in the 2022 US trial, additional text messages from Heard to Depp’s medical team were revealed, in which Heard informs nurses that Depp is “manic, full on flipping out,” then later states, “we need help, he's at the border, refusing to take his meds.”
August 18, 2014– Dr. Kipper's email to Christi
Dr. Kipper sent an email to Dembrowski on August 18th regarding her brother’s substance abuse and relationship with Heard, writing:
“Christie,
I am alerting you to some concerning issues that arose last night after we spoke. Amber called us at around midnight asking that we come over to their house. They evidently had a fight, she claims he pushed her, and she asked him to leave the house. We found him in the bar area, sitting quietly, and upset. We spent a long time with him discussing how he felt, what had happened, his thoughts on what sobriety meant for him, and how truly committed he truly was to the journey we were on…
He is uncomfortable, is pessimistic that he will ever be able to stop doing drugs, actually romanticizes the entire drug culture and has no accountability for his behaviors. When reminded that he was had these feelings his entire life, he is able to have a glimmer of perspective, but this very history reinforces his feeling that past is prelude… This conversation was unfortunately wrapped around a centerpiece of bad feelings with Amber. He has fundamental issues with anger, and when he gets mad at her for her bad behavior he has tremendous ambivalence and guilt about these feelings being valid. … He is driven almost reflexively by his id, and this speaks to the issue of accountability… Even when he speaks of his children, I don’t believe he grasps the responsibility he must have in their lives. He describes the events surrounding Lily Rose’s E.Coli near-death experience without much emotion, and the conversation becomes about him, not her. He admits to feeling close to suicidal at the moment when he thought she might die, but doesn’t parlay this experience into anything close to a revelation about proper parenting.
…He agreed to sleeping on all this last night. He did not sound at all committed to continuing the care once we arrived in Los Angeles, but the did waiver a bit when we suggested that he and Amber take a few days apart once we landed. I think this would be critical if we are to continue his treatment. This is not so much a denouncement of Amber, but a recognition that the focus now needs to be exclusively on him.”
August 19, 2014– Johnny's text to Amber's mother
Following his detox in the Bahamas, Depp sent a text to Heard’s mother, complimenting Heard for how she handled Depp while he suffered withdrawal, writing:
“I couldn’t have made it without her ... I would have gone for a swim and swallowed a big drink of ocean without her to be honest ... It was a hell of my own doing that your little girl walked through with me step by step ... I know you’re already proud of her, but if you’d seen her in action ... Amazing!!! It was an exercise of monumental patience and instinct. I wouldn’t be alive, sweetheart ... There were more than a few times when I thought it would be more simple to take that route. It was Amber and Amber only that got me through this ... And it was not easy ...”
August 24, 2014– Amber's first session with Dr. Cowan
Hired by Depp as part of the couples’ shared medical team, Heard had her first session with Dr. Connell Cowan on August 24th.
Cowan recorded that Heard was “anxious about her future” with Depp and stated that she was “insecure” and “wants to be wanted badly.” He said that Heard and Depp fought over Depp’s using and indicated that Heard admitted having a “short fuse.”
Heard apparently said to Cowan, “I always get the brunt of J's abuse” and stated that she had “left” Depp 3 months prior due to his drug usage.
Cowan wrote that he and Heard “went over [the] need to establish healthy, solo [self-soothing]” techniques as part of Heard’s treatment.
August 27, 2014– Notes from Amber's new medical team
On August 27th, Cowan wrote of Heard’s temper, “she has insight into her short temper and insecurities ... She has no effective self-soothing techniques other than to engage JD in reassurances.”
The same day, Heard’s new nurse, Erin Falati–hired as a part of hers and Depp’s shared medical team–recorded her first notes for Heard’s day-to-day treatment. The notes indicate Heard’s apparent history of substance abuse, including an addiction to cocaine and liquor. As Falati reports, Heard had not used cocaine for “a couple years” but claimed to consume “1-3 glasses [of] red wine each day.”
Falati’s notes state:
“Per [a] report from [Depp], Debbie [Lloyd, Depp’s RN], [and] Dr. Kipper, [Heard] has reportedly been experiencing increased anxiety and agitation recently, and has had several outbursts of anger and rage. Her mood has been labile.
Both [Heard] and [Depp] report an increase in verbal disagreements resulting from [Heard’s] anxiety and emotional lability.
[Heard] expressed concern to [Depp] and Dr. Kipper that she is nervous about being alone while [Depp] is working (on [a] movie set in London) and expressed she has difficulty dealing with feelings of insecurity and jealousy when not in [the] presence of [Depp].”
Depp’s nures, Lloyd, also wrote of Heard’s new treatment plan in her own notes regarding Depp’s treatment. After multiple references to arguments or tension between Depp and Heard from August 20th-27th, Lloyd wrote on the 27th that Heard had an RN to “help her anxiety” and put her on “new mood stabilizer medication.” Lloyd stated that Depp was hopeful about Heard’s treatment removing stress from their relationship, thereby relieving his own personal stress.
Please give me a call today and let me know how you are.
I spoke with Dr. Kipper yesterday after your meeting with him and understand things got heated. I'm sorry these times are so painful and difficult, but I do believe there can be smoother times ahead for you. You will get through this and come out the better for it. Believe in yourself. Come from strength even when you don't feel it.”
August 29, 2014– Johnny wants Amber to “minimize/eliminate” acting career
According to Falati’s notes from August 29th, Heard “[verbalized] feelings of confusion” as she felt that Depp wanted her to “decrease/eliminate” her acting career to “stay at home.” Falati wrote, “[Heard] wishes to continue working and expresses feelings of fulfillment from [her] career.”
August 30, 2014– Dr. Cowan's notes about "common conflict"
In Cowan’s notes from August 30th, he mentions that Heard and Depp had experienced some “tumultous fighting.”
He recorded the “common conflict themes” in the relationship as “ drinking, using, being late (hours), not showing up, support career.” He wrote that Depp was “very threatened by [Heard’s] career, particularly any kind of romantic scenes she has to do” and said that Heard’s film with James Franco “precipitated a drinking binge that put [Depp] in the hospital.”
According to what Heard told Cowan, “everyone around [Depp] seems to be intimidated by his power and money” and “no one stands up to him.”
Cowan also wrote that Depp’s “narcissism presents enormous challenges for he's managed to construct his own world.”
Cowan said that he and Heard “will work on better ways of communicating with [Depp] that honor[s] [Heard] but [doesn’t] act as triggers for conflict and anger.”
September 1, 2014– Dr. Cowan explores Amber's past
During a therapy session on September 1st, Cowan and Heard discussed some of Heard’s past struggles.
Cowan recorded that Heard “comes from a chaotic and unstructured home” and stated that “both of Amber's parents have a history of drug abuse that is apparently still ongoing.” He remarked that Heard also “has a history of abusing drugs and alcohol” but was at that time “clean and sober” except for occasional wine drinking.
According to Cowan, Heard’s parents “were unable to play much of a constructive role in her early life and apparently her father was physically abusive.”
He also said that Heard was “motivated to deal with better emotional regulation.”
September 2, 2014– Amber reports difficulty with jealousy
On September 2nd, Heard reported “difficulty with jealousy issues and anxiety around [Depp’s] fame and ability to interact with females often” to nurse Falati.
September 3, 2014– Amber and Johnny's relationship is "conflict free"
On September 3rd, Cowan reported that Heard and Depp’s relationship was “conflict free,” though Heard did discuss how her issues being “typecast” in films has been “a source of conflict” in the couples’ relationship. He wrote:
“Clearly, there exists important feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. Amber is embarrassed about her having dropped out of [high] school and has been taking online courses recently – history & religion. It is hard comparing herself and her career to [Depp’s]. High bar. Possibly unrealistic.
Very hard for her to talk about.”
Rest of September– Amber is anxious and reactive
Throughout September, Heard and Cowan discussed Heard’s apparent anxieties, specifically surrounding separation and fears and abandonment.
On September 5th, Cowan recorded that Heard was anxious about her upcoming travel to New York City for a job which would keep her away for three days. He wrote, “Being alone is always hard for [Heard] even for these few days.”
Cowan also wrote:
“Money was central to our discussion today. She has been supporting her [mother and father] for a number of years. She doesn't take money from [Depp] even though he has offered it to her. Very independent in this way as she was in her last relationship with the woman partner whom she supported.
Mother wants to retire and Amber has offered to support them entirely. I suggested she should really think all of that financial commitment through more clearly. Obvious people see her as having financial means because of her relationship with [Depp]. Mother is only 58 y/o. Big decision. This is clearly a source of her anxiety. Also discussed Amber's proposed wedding. Prenup?? Nothing planned or in place.
She is ambivalent about it”
On September 9th, Falati recorded that Heard had gotten “frustrated with wait staff over miscommunication,” but wrote that Heard “calmly repeated herself to [the] staff to resolve [the] issue.” Falati stated that this event “reflected [a] change in [Heard’s] coping mechanisms” and that Heard’s “previous coping skills involved impulsive anger and yelling.” Heard reportedly “expressed pride in [her] healthy conflict resolution.”
On September 10th, Cowan wrote that Heard “doesn't do well with being alone” and was anxious about a job that would keep her in Savannah, Georgia for five weeks.
According to Cowan, Heard said that Depp had “reacted more positively to her taking this job than usual” and she seemed “pleased and relieved.”
Later that day, Cowan recorded that he’d had a conversation with Dr. Kipper who told him that Depp’s nurse, Debbie Lloyd, reported Heard being “bitchy” with her. Cowan wrote:
“[Depp] is obviously comfortable and attached to Debbie and likes to include her in most of their activities. Although Amber has never mentioned Debbie or any sort of antipathy to their relationship it is likely she may be jealous and threatened by their closeness.
Issue: They are planning a trip to the S of France where J has a compound. Should Debbie go along…
I suggested then that Debbie stay in London and to let Amber and [Depp] go on this weekend alone.
We shall see how all turns out.
The tool I gave [Kipper] to give [Depp] is to not engage if Amber gets angry or attacks and to bring and describe the situation to me.
Possible that Amber may be more insecure than she describes to me. Think they need some time alone without a third party.”
The same day, Falati wrote that Heard was “[expressing] anger toward [Depp’s] friend and associates” whom Heard allegedly blamed for Depp’s substance abuse.
Lloyd wrote in her notes that day that while she was visiting with Depp, Heard “came in and tried to start at argument with him,” however, Depp “was able to stay calm and talk [her] down.”
On September 12th, Cowan reported that Heard was “very anxious and stressed about having taken on a job that will require a separation from [Depp].” He noted that “past separations have not had good outcomes” for the couple and said that “uncertainty fuels her already intense separation anxiety.”
Three days later, Cowan reported that Heard and Depp had had a “quiet” and “uneventful” weekend, though Heard did confess concerns about Depp’s alleged Xanax usage. He wrote:
“[Depp] has a history of Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin abuse and personality change. [Heard] is afraid this may happen again. [We] talked about his sobriety being ‘his’ and this is a process… that while not perfect [is] going in the right direction…
I'm encouraging [Heard] to trust [Depp’s] recovery process and discussed the importance of supporting the supporters.”
On September 17th, Cowan stated that Heard was “still anxious about going to Savannah” for a movie role. Falati’s notes reflect the same, writing that Heard was “experiencing anxiety” due to her upcoming distance from Depp.
Cowan wrote that Heard’s relationship with Depp was going “much smoother” and said that Depp was being supportive of Heard’s work on the film; then wrote on the 19th that Heard used anger to cover her own hurt, saying that she “tends to dwell and recycle old hurtful events.” An example Cowan provides is Heard’s apparent anger at learning that Depp had gone through an abortion with another woman “years ago.” Cowan wrote, “Amber's first reaction to this news was anger which she didn't indulge. Instead she felt sad.” He labeled this as “progress” and said, “She's actively using some of the things we've been discussing.”
Cowan and Heard also apparently discussed Heard and Depp’s “large age difference.”
On September 22nd, Heard reportedly called Falati around 1 am. Heard had recently suffered a data hack which publicized private photos of her, becoming a victim of what’s been called “The Fappening” and reportedly did not think Depp was being properly supportive of her during this time. Falati arrived at Heard’s residence, reporting that she appeared “irritable, loud, [and] angry.” Heard was allegedly “screaming at times and [appeared] agitated” after getting into a verbal argument with Depp.
Lloyd wrote in her notes that Depp had texted her claiming that Heard “had a nasty breakout” and requested that Lloyd deliver him “some fuckin’ knockout yum, yum.”
When Lloyd arrived at Depp’s home, she reported that he was “sitting in [the] kitchen with scraped and bloody knuckles on [his right] hand” after allegedly punching a white board in the kitchen.
The next day, Falati wrote that Heard expressed “embarrassment” regarding her “emotional lability” from the previous night.
During a session on September 29th, Cowan stated that Heard’s behavior functioning “[tends] toward being reactive.”
Cowan and Heard discussed that Heard’s “typical MO for dealing” with conflict is to run or fight. He wrote that Head “clearly… has few resources available to her that allow her to be calming and reassuring to herself.”
October 4, 2014– Johnny's text
On October 4th, Depp sent the following text to an unidentified phone number:
“I am going to, quite gracefully, glide into a massage of my broken back and neck ... I shall exit in one hour, a MONSTER!!! Shall we swallow an E each (or perhaps it’s MDMA) at around 8pm and go to dinner with A few of my wee team at a wonderful Peruvian spot ... ??? Let us enjoy this night my brother!!! Let us reward ourselves for the hard work and the misery of the heat that we push ourselves to conquer every goddam day!!! The Shatter”
October 14, 2014– Johnny becomes aggressive on set
After recording Depp’s down mood following alleged arguments with Heard on October 11th and 12th, Lloyd wrote on October 14th that Depp had gotten “extremely agitated” leaving a film set after he was finished filming that day. She wrote:
“[Depp] kicked in the door of his trailer and refused to speak to [the] director. [Depp] was verbally aggressive to another person on the set [for] no apparent reason.”
Kipper reportedly prescribed Depp to take Xanax 2mg “to reduce his agitation.”
The next day, Lloyd recorded, “[Depp] continues to be agitated about work and is verbalizing having desires to escape with drugs.”
October 18, 2014– Amber is very upset
Cowan’s notes from October 18th, 2014, show that Cowan had had some trouble getting in contact with Heard but did connect with her that day, reporting that Heard was “very upset about her relationship.” He wrote that he would try to explore this in greater detail on a future date.
October 20-27, 2014– Johnny is upset
On October 20th, Depp reported to Lloyd that he and Heard had argued the night before. He was reportedly upset with Heard and self-administered Xanax 1mg to deal with his anxiety.
On the 22nd, Lloyd wrote that Depp had had an emergency meeting with his psychiatrists to discuss his feelings about his recent argument with Heard. Lloyd wrote, “He feels better after [the] conversation but also feels he is in ‘no win situation’ with [Heard].”
The following day, Lloyd wrote:
“[Depp] was agitated and felt [Heard] was using the term mania to explain his behavior and excuse herself from any fault during arguments. [Depp] was upset by this label. RN processes feelings with [Depp] and he was able to see [Heard’s] negative behaviors. [Depp] looks forward to meetings with psychiatrists next week as he is stressed about [the] current state of his relationship.”
By the 26th, Depp apparently told Lloyd that he and Heard “had a long talk and he feels a lot ‘lighter’ after expressing his true feelings.”
On October 27th, Depp reported that everything was ok between Heard and himself.
October 29, 2014– Amber's text about Boo
In a text message to Kevin Murphy, an estate manager for one of Depp’s properties, Heard told Murphy about the couple’s dog, Boo, pooping on Depp while he was asleep, saying, “Last night she shit on Johnny. While he was sleeping. Like all over him. Not exaggerating.”
Boo’s digestion habits would later be of concern with the claim that Heard defecated in the couple’s bed.
November 3, 2014– Amber can be impulsive
During a session on November 3rd, 2014, Cowan reported Heard’s behavior functioning as “stress, unstable mood” and stated that her risk assessment was moderate, writing, “Amber can be impulsive.”
Further down his notes, he wrote:
“During this past month, there has been a good deal of turmoil – [Heard’s] relationship with [Depp] underlying… chronic distrust on his part has been exacerbated by Amber's sometimes inconsistent communication patterns. This relationship is clearly a toxic one for both parties – neither Amber or [Depp] is able to feel safe. Blatant co-dependent issues on both parts. Will continue to explore.”
The same day, Lloyd reported that Depp was “hyper focused” on relationship issues with Heard. Lloyd wrote, “He felt she is not being truthful with him and he is not sure how to confront her about this when she arrives home.”
On November 5th, Depp complained that Heard had not responded to his text messages that day and, according to Lloyd, he felt that Heard was doing this on purpose to upset him.
November 8, 2014– Johnny breaks up with Amber
Falati wrote on November 6th that Heard had been arguing with Depp since the night before.
In Cowan’s notes from November 8th, he first remarked on a text exchange with Heard from the day prior during which Heard told him that Depp had broken up with her and was acting “manic” and “probably drinking.”
Cowan wrote that during past episodes of conflict with Depp, Heard would alternate between “shutting down” or “mixing it up.”
He also reported:
“Amber tends to withhold certain info so as to not upset [Depp] but her lack of transparency only inflames the situation. [In the] joint session [with Heard and Depp,” he was very [provocative] and angry with her. Unproductive and he aborted the session.”
In a text to Heard, Cowan wrote:
“Amber, so sorry our time together didn't go better. So much hurt and distrust in the mix. Both sides. Just want you to know that you didn't do anything to provoke him today. It's very hard for Johnny to stay on the vulnerable side instead of armoring up. Hope he will stay in therapy and get the skills to deal with his feelings more constructively. He's hurt and will have to find ways to heal himself. Maybe down the road the three of us can get together again. Not sure that he's ready to do that at this point even though it would be helpful. It's very important for you to trust yourself, be straight, and believe you are strong enough to deal with what comes. It takes ten thousand truths to keep a house up and only one lie to bring it down. Get your point on context totally, but the only way to make sure he doesn't attach fear and distrust to you is to be painfully transparent. For now let Johnny work on himself and you do the same. I'm around. Call or text me tomorrow and we'll make a plan to talk or get together. Be strong and believe in yourself. I do.”
Heard responded:
“Thank you for your text. It means a lot to me. I'm really upset that it appeared to "fail".... I had hopes of it helping. And no doubt, one day it could. But I agree, I don't think he's ready. He is like a child in many ways. With very little foresight and a hairline trigger that only he knows he's tripped.
I love him more than anything but he is really difficult...
My heart and body are simply exhausted from this battle. I really hope you can help me figure out how I can COPE with him. Despite his state.
I hope I can build our 'house' again. I'm homesick.”
Rest of November 2014– Amber deals with separation
On November 11th, Cowan wrote that after Depp left a joint therapy session with Heard, Heard had not had contact with him, however, thought she knew where he was.
Cowan and Heard discussed Heard’s and Depp’s “[individual] contributions to the result” of the failed joint session. Heard told Cowan that she was “terrified” that she would “lose her relationship with [Depp].” Cowan wrote:
“Her strategy is to call and ask that he come back. She was not [provocative] here and I've encouraged her to let him process the event and for [her] to practice soothing herself without making him a part of the codependent strategy.”
On the same day, Falati wrote that Heard had “[verbalized] anxiety… fears of abandonment, uncertainty of relationship status, and confusion” surrounding the cause of her argument with Depp.
Two days later, Cowan reported Heard’s current issue as “dealing with feelings stimulated by being separate from [Depp].” Cowan and Heard spent that session “rehashing the joint meeting” from before and Cowan made the suggestion that Heard and Depp see another couples’ counselor other than him.
He reported that Heard felt “very low” and was “afraid of being abandoned.” They “discussed the toxic and addictive qualities involved in the relationship.”
On November 14th, Heard told Cowan that Depp had reached out to Heard’s sister, apparently writing to Henriquez:
“Hey, sweet Sis...
Thank you, honey... How is my little girl???
Fuck...?I miss her so much !!! Hal
Don't know why, but... somehow... I make her miserable and then the shit-storm commences... And, as you well know... She goes for the jugular... And doesn't stop until she feels that she successfully provoked me to feel true rage and profound sadness... That is no way for anyone to live...
I have only wanted her to work on her self, not just for us, but, of course, for her!!! I can't tell you how fucked and sad I felt when she flat out lied to me... TO MY FUCKING FACE!!! And also, when I was not in Georgia...!!! What would she do if I did that??? WE ARE 3 GODDAM YEARS DOWN OUR CHOSEN ROAD!!!
How many times did she, not just avoid the truth to protect me from unpleasantries that she would rather I had no knowledge of??? She was my best friend... And then it's been battle after battle... When lies and untruths become standard fare!!
I don't know what's up... I do know that I miss her and love her...
Thanks, angel....
Lovey
I want her to be happy!!!”
On November 16th, Heard “expressed confusion related to [her] relationship with [Depp]” to Falati, however, four days later, Falati wrote that Heard was interacting with Depp using “healthy coping mechanisms.”
On November 17th, Lloyd reported that Depp and Heard were “working things out.”
On November 23rd, Falati reported that Heard and Depp had reconciled, writing that Heard was feeling “really happy and content.”
Early December– Amber talks more about childhood
In his notes from a session on December 8th, 2014, Cowan recorded Heard’s medical condition as being “very stressed in her relationship with [Depp].”
Cowan further stated that Heard was having trouble keeping appointments and said “her difficulty in modulating emotionality compromises her well being.”
The following day, Falati wrote that Heard “demonstrates insight into triggers for stress, anxiety, and conflict escalation.” Heard apparently processed an argument with Depp from the previous day and “[reflected] upon feelings and motivations for [her] behavior.”
On December 15th, Cowan reported that Heard talked about her “unstructured” childhood in more depth. She told Cowan that there were “no firm boundaries” in her household and that her mother was “weak” and “ineffectual” against her “volatile and abusive father.”
Both Heard’s parents reportedly had “long histor[ies] of drug abuse.” Heard alleged physical abuse at the hands of her father.
December 17, 2014– Alleged incident
In a text message to Heard on December 17th, Depp wrote:
“It’s away... I’ve let it go...Went too far ... We/I tend to do that ... I always regret it when I jump, or worse ... when you jump!!! I don’t want to be conditioned to continue that behaviour ... therefore I’ll put in heavy work with [Shrink]. I’m sorry for being less ... For your disappointment in me ... For my behaviour. I’m a fucking savage ... Gotta lose that!!! The Devil is all around right...?? I wish I were able to bring just a glimmer of a smile to the pretty face of my most gorgeous of dreams and darkest nightmares. I love you far too much for you and I to be these heinous slinging insults like we do/did.. It is not anything that I am particularly proud of to have participated in… And, I regret giving it life… Because… Motherfucker… How when we fight, little girl… ??? How do owe end up soon the very edge of the precipice..?? And, why?? Wish I knew. Goddamn… And… Know that YOU ARE RIGHT…!!! I am, WELL AWARE that I SHOULD have been bigger than the moment… And, that it WILL NEVER again manifest in negative experiences… It can be done!!! What a killer concept to visualize… Wish you were in this Lunatic’s proximity… Be careful our there… I adore you!!!”
Heard claims this was after another incident of physical abuse by Depp, but Depp denies this and Heard did not give details as to the alleged event.
Late December– Amber and Johnny plan New Year's Eve party
After reconciling, Heard and Depp began planning a New Year’s Eve party together in late December 2014.
Cowan reported in his notes from December 29th that conversations surrounding the party-planning were “laced with mines,” especially revolving around the choice of guests and concerns about alcohol usage.
January 13, 2015– Amber prepares to go to England
On January 13th, Cowan reported that Heard was preparing to go to England for work. He wrote:
“Typically, her going away and working leads to communication breakdowns, suspicion, anger, sadness and distress. Discussed how to best approach this. Hope she can put this to some use.”
Cowan also recorded a text he had received from Heard, who wrote:
“I was just about to text you to tell you things were much better!!!!! We talked as soon as I got home.
I did everything you suggested – remembered everything you said – it worked.
The conversation went completely differently --
Thank you so much. From the bottom of my heart.”
Cowan wrote in his notes:
“She is starting to put what we've been working on so hard into action. The days ahead will still be challenging in that they will be separated while she is shooting in London.”
January 14, 2015– Tokyo Incident
Amber’s account: At some point during their trip to Tokyo, Japan, Heard said something that upset Depp, causing him to become violent and abusive.
Depp slapped her, grabbed her, then stood over her as she cried on the ground.
He was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at this time.
Johnny’s account: Depp did not abuse Heard in any way on this trip.
He also was not under the influence of any illicit substances as his children were present on the trip and he would not be heavily intoxicated with them in neighboring hotel rooms.
January 27, 2015– Dr. Kipper to Dr. Cowan
Ahead of Depp’s and Heard’s wedding, Dr. Kipper sent a message to Dr. Cowan regarding a pre-nuptial agreement and the fighting between Depp and Heard, saying:
“Amber and JD have been fighting non-stop since he confirmed his need for a prenup on the way to the airport (going to Japan to promote his movie). She tried to push up the date of the wedding to avoid all this, but the reality is he will need a pre-nup. If she fails to sign, they won’t get married. Both behaved like super triple DD types, complete with thrown coffee, attempts by him to storm the cockpit, attempts by her to leave the plane while thy were over the fuckin ocean, etc.”
Heard has denied that she refused a prenup and told the UK court that she instructed her attorney to draft one but Depp said he did not want one and threatened to rip up any draft.
January 28, 2015– Amber and Johnny seek representation
“In the midst of this stormy, chaotic relationship Amber & [Depp] are planning a wedding. Amber sees [Depp’s] sister as an obstacle (apparently, this woman has never liked or approved of Amber and yet has been placed in the position of being the wedding planner of sorts. Amber unhappy[)].”
Cowan also wrote that Depp was seeking a pre-nuptial agreement and that he and Heard were seeking representation to effect this.
February 3, 2015– The Wedding
The couple married on February 3rd.
Depp claimed his daughter, Lily-Rose, did not appear as a guest at the wedding because she did not get along with Heard. Depp implied that his son Jack, as well, did not approve of their marriage. These claims have been questioned by some as Lily-Rose did text her father in February of 2014, saying that Heard had had a “positive effect” on Depp who’d become a “better dad” since meeting her.
Given that Lily Rose and Jack have not spoken about the abuse allegations between Heard and their father explicitly on a public platform, it is unclear if/when their relationship with Heard soured.
February 24, 2015– Johnny fires Amber's prenup lawyer
On February 24th, Cowan reported that “apparently [Depp] fired Amber's prenup lawyer” prior to their wedding.
He wrote:
“Afraid marriage will not provide any solution to this toxic relationship. Hard being the spoilsport at a time that should be celebratory. I think this is just a slow moving crash. Issues of sobriety and trust have not been resolved. Toxic situation.”
February 27, 2015– "Happy Pills"
Shortly after the wedding, Depp texted his assistant, Nathan Holmes, requesting “happy pills.”
Depp told the UK court that this referred to pills prescribed by Dr. Kipper, such as Xanax for his anxiety and Adderall because his body was not producing the required serotonin.
Depp said he was not aware that “happy pills” was slang for the illegal drug, Ecstacy.
A few days prior, Depp and Holmes had a less ambiguous conversation about drugs when Holmes told Depp he’d “borrowed” some of Depp’s cocaine.
March 3, 2015– Texts to Nathan
A few days following his request of “happy pills,” Holmes texted Depp, seemingly asking how he’d run low on cocaine so quickly, writing:
“There was two G in that jar ... Are you out? The guy only carried 2 a day and more tomorrow ... He said it’s because if he’s caught with more than 2 it’s 20 years in prison. I can try another guy and get one more for when you pick Malcom up”
Depp did not appear to like this text message and began the following exchange with Holmes:
JD: I don’t need you for that ... no more
NH: I’m sorry you feel that way.
JD: No, you’re not Why?? That is not part of the job description. And I’m telling you now ... Any ONE of ANY of you guys start to lecture me ... I just do not want to hear it ... No stupid bullshit about sappy bollocks.
NH: I am not and never would lecture you ... Have I not been helping, I’m trying to keep the supply coming ... But it’s not the same here. Sorry.
JD: I am a grown fucking man and I will NOT BE JUDGED.
NH: I have never judged you and never will!! I fucking love you and do everything I can to make you happy.
JD: AND I WILL NEVER ... EVER ... LIVE... IN THIS WORLD CAGE ANY LONGER.
NH: Do you honestly think I ever want to upset you!! You have been nothing but good to me for my entire career ... It is because of you that I am still in this industry!! I only want you to be happy.
JD: I’ll do whatever I damn well please.
NH: I would encourage you to do it!! You are my legend!! Fuck Disney ... I know you will ... And I will never stop you from doing whatever you please
JD: That’s very sweet and you know I love you
NH: I know you do!! That’s why it upsets me when you get like this ... You know I would die for you ... For your kids!! I will do anything in my power ever to make you happy ... ANYTHING!!!
March 2015– Australia Incident
Amber’s account: The couple started arguing after Depp brought out a bag of MDNA. Heard was concerned about his drug usage.
After this, Depp became angry and began slapping, pushing, and shoving Heard before she locked herself in a bedroom.
Depp then stayed up all night and took approximately 8 MDNA pills, which he washed down with alcohol.
Over the following three days, the couple continued fighting and Depp became increasingly violent, grabbing Heard by the neck and shoving her against furniture.
At one point, Depp ripped Heard’s nightgown, grabbed her breasts, and then strangled her before raping her with a glass bottle.
Eventually, Heard took an Ambien and went to sleep. When she awoke, Depp had cut his finger and had written various messages throughout the home with both his blood as well as oil paint. Messages included things like “Starring Billy Bob Easy Amber,” which indicated Depp’s paranoid belief that Heard was having an affair with Billy Bob Thornton, and “Good luck and be careful at the top,” which mocked Heard’s ambition as an actress. Depp also attempted to write other messages with his urine.
Johnny’s account: After discovering Depp’s intention to enter a post-nuptial agreement, Heard became enraged. She was also upset that she was not in Depp’s will.
The fighting escalated until Heard became extremely violent, not allowing Depp to retreat from the argument. She hit him, threw things at him, and put a lit cigarette out on his face.
At one point, Heard threw two vodka bottles at Depp, cutting the tip of his finger off, though he would later tell doctors he injured his finger with a knife.
Depp wrote the messages in blood and oil paint because he was in shock, though he did not write “CALL CARLY SIMON” on the mirror and believes that Heard wrote this since she “always has to have the last word.”
Depp did not take MDNA pills, especially not 8 as that would be extremely dangerous and could possibly kill him.
A majority of the damage done to the home was caused by Heard.
Other accounts
Malcolm Connolly (security guard for Johnny Depp): When Connolly arrived on the scene, Depp’s finger had already been cut.
Connolly saw that Depp was coherent and didn’t appear to be under the influence of any substance.
Depp told Connolly that Heard had put out her cigarette on his face. He noticed a red mark on Depp’s cheek.
Connolly did not see any visible injuries on Heard, however, he was only around her for about 30 minutes and did not stand very close to her.
Stephen Deuters (Assistant to Johnny Depp): Depp told Deuters that Heard had been responsible for the injury to his finger.
Ben King (Former house manager to Johnny Depp): Heard did have cuts on one of her arms, which “looked like cuts in fairly uniform lines at a sort of diagonal angle downwards.”
King did not smell any urine in the home.
On the flight out of Australia, Heard asked King, “Have you ever been so angry with someone that you just lost it?”
Emergency Department of the Gold Coast University Hospital: When Depp arrived, he told medical staff that his finger had been cut with a knife. Doctors at the hospital noted that the injury was “more proximately suggestive [of] a crushing mechanism.”
Dr. Sawhney (doctor that treated Johnny Depp): On March 8th, 2015, Dr. Sawhney took the following note about Depp’s visit: “unclear history of traumatic event and no witnesses. Patient under the influence and not coherent nor sure of mechanism.”
Kristina Sexton (Amber Heard’s acting coach and friend): When Heard first came home from the trip, she told Sexton they’d had a “horrible time” in Australia and fought throughout their trip.
Heard later told Sexton about the violence in 2016.
Whitney Henriquez (sister of Amber Heard): Heard sobbed when she came home from Australia and told Henriquez about the fight, including the physical abuse.
Henriquez also saw Heard’s injuries and described them, saying, “Her lip was swollen and busted up a bit, and she also had these horrible cuts on her arms – like gashes.”
Raquel Pennington (friend of Amber Heard): Pennington saw Heard’s injuries a few days after the incident. She saw gashes on Heard’s arms from her wrists to her elbows and saw cuts on the bottoms of her feet.
Other information to consider
Text from Stephen Deuters (assistant to Johnny Depp) to ChristiDembrowski (sister to Johnny Depp): Deuters texted Dembrowski on March 7th, 2015, indicating that Depp’s doctors were holding some type of intervention following the fight, writing:
“Hi C. Not sure how much you are aware of right now, but I am at the house with Kipper and Debbie [Lloyd] who are speaking with JD and Amber respectively, separately. Obviously, things have not been calmed over the last day or so – apparently there he has been making calls to LA but I am not aware of the particulars there as well there has been fighting between the two here – so Kipper is now talking to JD, hoping to get thru to him, and explain to him that ‘this period’ needs to end now before we get into real trouble. I’ll keep you posted on the outcome. The good news thus far is that JD did not cancel this mtg and that he is engaging in conversation. We’ll see how that goes and will do whatever else we need to do ...”
Three hours later, Deuters continued:
“well conversations seem to be going well ... JD is agreeing to all that Kipper is requesting he do in order to turn himself around ... of course we’ve heard that before, so we’ll see ... they are now sat with Amber as well, but look to be wrapping up soon ... more shortly.”
Johnny’s texts to Dr. Kipper: On March 8th, 2015, Depp texted Dr. Kipper in regards to Heard,
“Hi ... Fucked man ... Had another one ... I just cannot live like this ... She is as full of shit as a Christmas Goose!!! I’m done. NO MORE ... !!!
The constant insults, the demeaning, belittling, most heartbreaking spew that is only released from a malicious, evil and vindictive cunt!!!! But, you know what ...?? FAR MORE hurtful than her venomous and degrading endless ‘educational’ ranting ... ??? is her hideous and purposely hurtful tirades and her goddam shocking treatment of the man she was meant to love above all ... Here’s the real deal, mate ... Her obsession with herself .... ?? Is far more important ... she is SO FUCKIN’ AMBITIOUS!!!! She’s so desperate for success and fame ... That’s probably why I was acquired mate... !!Although she has HAMMERED me with what a sad old man, has been I am... Cowan has done me the most cruel of favors ... I’m so very sad ... I cut the top of my middle finger off ... What should I do Except, of course, go to a hospital ... I’m so very embarrassed for jumping into anything with her ...”
Johnny’s text to Nathan Holmes (assistant to Johnny): On March 8th, 2015, Depp texted Holmes to get him cocaine and not tell anyone, writing, “Need more whitey stuff ASAP, brotherman ... And the e business!!! Please ... I’m in bad bad shape ... Say NOTHING TO NOBODY!!!!”
Note from Dr. Cowan: Dr. Connell Cowan, a psychotherapist hired by Depp for Heard, wrote a note after Heard called him on March 8th, 2015, writing:
“They are fighting – relationship volatile and destructive to any sense of growing trust. Her coping skills seem minimal ... Big event that turned angry ... They are both volatile and she doesn’t back down when confronted. I understand he badly injured his hand.”
The same day, Heard sent Cowan a text saying, “I feel so lost… I can’t talk… I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to change… Clearly I can’t figure this out… I feel so lost right now.”
Ben King’s inconsistencies: In his initial examination in the UK trial, King claimed that Heard had no injuries after the alleged incident. In a follow-up interview, he said Heard had scratch marks on one of her arms.
Inconsistencies with graffiti: Depp claimed that Heard had written one of the messages with paint as a way to “have the last word.” He says that she did this after she woke up and discovered the messages he’d left, however, he confesses to writing all the messages written in black paint prior to Heard waking up. Heard’s alleged message was written in red and is evidently written underneath the black pain, meaning it was not placed after Depp’s initial vandalism and could not have been her attempt to “have the last word.”
Evidence that Amber Heard was fine with a postnuptial agreement: There are multiple points of evidence that Heard was not the one to object to either a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.
In a therapy session with Dr. Jacobs from February 2014, Heard allegedly told Jacobs that she was not opposed to a prenup, however, Depp was refusing to sign one, allegedly telling Heard that the “only way one of them [was] leaving [the] marriage [was] death.”
During Michele Mulrooney’s testimony in 2022, Mulrooney stated that she and Heard had been in contact to draft a postnup, however these discussions ended when Depp called her and attempted to fire her as Heard’s representation on Heard’s behalf and called Mulrooney a “bitch.”
Inconsistent reports of Johnny’s coherence: Depp said Heard caused most of the damage in the home, but he vandalized the house with his messages because he was “in shock” from the injury to his finger. This would imply that he was in a state in which he was not thinking clearly, caused by Heard’s assault on him.
In his examination during the UK trial, it was put to Depp that, as he was severely injured, he did not know what he was doing. Depp replied, “I knew exactly what I was doing.”
This statement implies that Depp’s vandalism was a deliberate act of aggression and not something down out of “shock.”
Audio recording from aftermath: A phone from the scene was left recording, capturing the aftermath of the couples’ fight as Depp’s bodyguards and medical staff came onto the scene and searched for the tip of Depp’s finger.
Depp leaves the scene early in the recording. Heard can be heard in the background at multiple moments. She yells at one point, “I love him! I never meant to hurt him! I didn’t do it!” She also expresses that she wants to be with Depp and doesn’t want to leave his side out of fear that she’ll never see him again.
Later, Heard goes upstairs.
Jerry Judge, one of Depp’s bodyguards, talks on the phone, first to Depp’s sister.
Judge can be heard saying,
“I’ve seen Johnny hurt, I’ve never seen him this hurt ever. I’m not saying that he wrecked this place. I mean, it’s wrecked. The window’s broken, the TV… She did it. There was a cup thrown, it missed. There’s been bottles thrown, and she – she admits to me she threw the first – she threw a bottle at him. She did it first. She admits to me that”
Judge also says that Heard has scratches on her left arm but believes they look self-inflicted. Heard apparently told Judge that Depp had put a cigarette out on his own face while he was “out of it.”
Judge discusses plans to put Heard on a plane to go home and says she’s already been given medication which nurse Lloyd said would make her sleep for 2-3 hours.
After speaking with Depp’s sister, Judge can be heard on the phone with Stephen Deuters, one of Depp’s assistants. He tells Deuters that they’ve found a piece of Depp’s finger and are keeping it on ice.
According to Judge, Heard is upset with him because he told Depp’s sister that Heard had called Depp a “fat old man.”
Judge tells Deuters that there’s $50,000-70,000 worth of damage in the house. He says Depp “drank everything in the last week” and repeats Heard’s claim that he’d taken 10 ecstasy tablets. Judge says,
“I’m frightened, if someone keeps supplying him, he’s gonna OD on this… When I came down to help him, he was drinking, okay? He calmed down, he did stop drinking for Kipper. And then he picked up one of the bottles and threw it through the window… I found bottles that were empty, and David’s not done it, and David has said it hasn’t been poured down the sink. But when I got here today, [Amber] was stone cold sober – she doesn’t smell of booze… Stephen, if you were here now and listened to the way she’s talking to me: everything that’s happened here is completely Johnny’s fault.”
Judge then tells Ben King that he thinks Heard “did it.” This is either a reference to a cup being thrown at a TV, as they had just remarked on this, or Judge is asserting that Heard is responsible for much of the damage in the home.
King says there’s probably more than $75,000 of property damage.
Judge talks to someone else on the phone. It’s seemingly been decided that King will travel with Heard home.
Heard re-enters the room and says she found two empty bags, seemingly used to hold cocaine. She says Depp’s been hiding cocaine from her, despite already taking “Xanax, Adderall, ecstasy, and hallucinogens.” Heard says,
“I hate that he hates me. I hate that I’m the one that has to deal with all the hurt. You know, I mean, I hate that I’m the element that really sets it off. I hate that, Jerry. I don’t want to be that. I really hate it. Jerry, my heart’s already broke and I feel like I’m not gonna get him back.”
Johnny’s alleged erectile dysfunction: In recently unsealed court documents, attorneys for Heard claimed that Depp suffers from erectile dysfunction.
This was used as evidence for why Depp would choose to rape Heard with a bottle rather than his own anatomy. The document states, “Mr. Depp’s erectile dysfunction makes it more probable that Mr. Depp would be angry or agitated in encounters with Amber Heard, and that he would resort to a bottle.”
March 9, 2015– Johnny cancels the postnuptial
On March 9th, possibly in the midst of the fights outlined in the above incident, Depp texted his sister Dembrowski, writing, “Cancel the postnuptial!!! Most likely, we should investigate an annulment…”
The same day, Dembrowski texted Stephen Deuters, writing, “Just make sure you say you aren’t sure how he hurt his hand.”
Separately, Dr. Connell texted Heard, stating, “I know you’re discouraged and feeling lost right now… You have two choices here: you can isolate or you can reach out. I know how much you [want] to change. You want to do something that moves in the right direction? Call me. Together we can pick our way through whatever is going on. Now is the time to be kind to yourself, not angry.”
“Amber continues to spin around the same constellation of chronic issues. Her coping skills for most are adequate but she is still having great difficulty maintaining any consistent, calm relationship with [Depp].
We continue to look for ways to make that relationship feel safer for them both. Amber is very motivated to try and make critical changes in her life but alternates between very hopeful… and tearful.”
March 12, 2015– Amber's text to Josh/Dr. Kipper's message to Amber
Following the Australia incident, Heard texted Raquel Pennington’s fiance, Josh Drew, to thank him for the couple’s support.
AH: Hey there -- I just wanted to say thank you for sharing Rocky with me so much the past few days. I have been going through a really tough time - unbearably rough at times- and wouldn't be able to get through it without her. And I know it has been taking time from you... Im so sorry for that. I want you to know how much that means to me. And how much I appreciate you being so fucking generous and supportive and sweet.. it's not lost on me. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart
JoshD: Think nothing of it sweetie. I know how important the two of you are to each other, and I'd never stand in the way of that, especially when one of you needed the other as I'm sure you do right now.
If we don't take care of each other, who will?
AH: thank you so much. there are no words to describe how thankful I am for both of you. she literally saved me last night. and I know that's your time and your life too and I just can't thank you enough for allowing me to poach the one thing that can help me, from you. Im sorry for that. I'll make it up to you, I promise!
“Amber, I am very upset. I promised to communicate with you after Johnny’s visit with the specialist this morning. I organized an appointment with the hand specialist with all the manipulation of their office scheduling to accommodate us, including security and my scheduling changes, only to learn upon arrival at Sweeter this morning that iO went to the house last night and engaged with him until 5am. Because of this, he was so compromised from not sleeping that a we couldn’t get him to the appointment this morning (this is after putting him in the car, taking him to the doctor’s office, but then turning around since we was not capable of interacting normally). Because of this I had to reschedule his appointment for tomorrow and push his surgery back which involves changing my appointments, personal and professional, to accommodate his need to get his hand repaired. Since Debbie and Erin are now away the nursing care (a nurse that works regularly with us) must also change her plans to accommodate the situation. I am committed to caring for both of you but this was very inappropriate to have compromised all that has gone into making these arrangements - for his care and everyone else’s time. If you truly love this man please respect the issues that will allow him to get the care he needs. Also, I am confused. If you are convinced that all problems between the two of you stem from his drug abuse why would you have participated with mushrooms on the island during the wedding and Ecstasy in Australia? I want to help you both so please help me.”
Heard responded (note: this message was written prior to iO’s transition; pronouns have been changed in accordance):
“David, You once told me that no one was to blame for johnnys behavior or decisions, other than Johnny. And I have to say that if Johnny stays up, or was too drunk/messed up to engage in his appt. this morning then it’s johnnys fault only. iO took it upon [himself] to go there- I did NOT ask [him] to go. [He] went in a moment of fear for me because [he] has never seen me so upset or lost….as [he] explained to me this morning. I did not ask [him] to go and frankly I was too upset last night to try and stop [him] (our SOBER MUTUAL friend) from getting clarity on how to best understand the situation. I couldn’t stop [him] and frankly I barely registered that [he] left to go there (as I was being talked down from a panic attack on the floor of my bathroom).
[He] did not keep him up. Or make him drink.
Nor did I.
In fact, [he] and the other two people there were trying to calm him down and talk him into sleep for hours.
I have respected your advice to leave him alone. Completely. I haven’t even texted him. And have trusted your care and direction, despite how confusing and scary it is at times.
Last night when we spoke I was upset primarily because I had expectations to get some clarity on what was going on - what the plan was (set boundaries…. abandon them?… etc) - what your perspective was (complete relapse, move on…?) but felt I was being shut down and out.
I continue to feel alienated and confused. On top of having the man I love fall into relapse.
So of course I was upset but No excuse for allowing it to somehow upset you too.”
March 14, 2015– Amber continues to struggle
Cowan wrote on March 14th that Heard and Depp had been apart recently “which brings up all of [Heard’s] issues around attachment, [co-dependency], and abandonment.”
He reported that he had had text and phone conversations with Heard “trying to keep her calm.” He allegedly told her to let Depp “have his time alone in peace.” “Despite all efforts,” he wrote. “She continues to be unable to effectively regulate her emotions.”
March 15, 2015– Dr. Kipper steps down
In an email to Cowan, Kipper explained that “after another night of broken promises to remain sober and compliant,” he was stepping down as part of Depp’s medical team.
He would resume his work with Depp and Heard by at least May 30th.
Cowan recorded the following text conversation with Heard in his notes:
AH: “He sent me a message saying he wants to talk.”
CC : “You might consider saying you don't want anything to interfere with his surgery, that you want to talk too, but that maybe you should wait until after the surgery As you probably know, Kipper has terminated his treatment of Johnny. While it may be tempting to reach out to J, I think it's important to lay low, keep to yourself, and let J play this out in whatever way he needs to. If you want to discuss, call me.”
AH: “He came over to talk yesterday. Was ok when it was 7:30 but he showed up at 1:30 pretty fucked up. I didn't engage in an argument. Just told him I loved him and hated to see him this way. And that was his wife but that I couldn't be without him and us getting help. He left on a peaceful note and i'm pretty sure he's still on the binder he was riding last night-back at his other place.”
March 23, 2015– Staircase incident
Amber’s account: A fight broke out between Heard and Depp after she discovered text messages that indicated Depp had been cheating on her with a woman named Rochelle.
Depp reacted to the confrontation violently and began smashing things in the apartment.
Heard then went next door to the penthouse her sister was staying in.
There, Heard’s sister, Henriquez, tried to stop the physical fight between Heard and Depp by getting between the two. Depp’s hand was still in a cast, which he used to hit Heard.
Travis McGivern (a security guard for Depp) was present as well as Debbie Lloyd (a nurse for Depp).
As Henriquez stood near the top of a flight of stairs, Heard became worried that Depp might push her down the stairs and so became physically violent toward Depp in an attempt to protect her sister’s safety.
Later Depp would destroy Heard’s collection of clothes that were kept in the penthouse Henriquez was staying in.
Johhny’s account: Heard initiated the argument and became violent.
She threw a Red Bull can as well as her purse at Depp and punched him in the face, leaving visible swelling.
McGivern intercepted the purse Heard threw at Depp.
Depp did not retaliate with any violence toward Heard. His hand was still in a cast from the injury to his finger, meaning he wouldn’t have been capable of harming her.
Shortly after, Depp left with Lloyd and McGivern.
Depp did not do any damage to the penthouse or Heard’s clothing. This was done by Heard herself as part of her “insurance policy.”
Other accounts:
Whitney Henriquez (Amber’s sister): Henriquez corroborates Heard’s account. She witnessed Depp hitting Heard and pulling her hair.
Depp did have a cast on his arm. He used his non-injured hand to grab Heard, then hit her with the casted arm.
Depp was drinking from a bottle of whiskey at the time.
Depp was the one who threw the Red Bull can at both Henriquez and Heard. It missed them but hit Lloyd. Lloyd did not seem to react or even notice she’d been hit.
Heard does not drink Red Bull and would not have had a can of the beverage to throw. She also did not have her purse at the time and was still in her pajamas.
Security guards stood at the bottom of the stairs but only intervened after Heard was assaulted by Depp.
Depp was the one to damage the penthouse, including Heard’s clothing, which she discovered hours later.
Henriquez was later asked to sign an NDA about the incident, which she refused.
Travis McGivern (security guard for Johnny Depp): McGivern did not remember what Heard and Depp were fighting about on that day, nor did he recall any accusation of infidelity.
McGivern brought nurse Lloyd to the penthouse where they met Heard in the building lobby. He then went up to speak to Depp. Heard and Lloyd followed. Once Heard entered the apartment, the fighting began and escalated quickly.
He witnessed Heard hitting Depp. Depp was not violent toward Heard and it was only her who had to be restrained once security got involved.
Debbie Lloyd (nurse for Johnny Depp): Lloyd does not recall many specifics from the incident but denies being hit by a Red Bull can thrown by Depp.
She left with McGivern and Depp.
Other information to consider
Erin Falati’s (nurse of Amber Heard’s) notes on March 25th: Two days after the alleged incident, Falati wrote that Heard was “concerned about [her] ability to trust [Depp] following [the] argument on 3/23/15.”
Debbie Lloyd’s (nurse of Johnny Depp’s) text messages to Stephen Deuters (assistant to Johnny Depp): The day following the incident, Lloyd sent the following text to Depp’s assistant, Deuters:
“Bad night last night. They got into it and it got violent again. I had to separate them and we are at 80 [Sweetzer Avenue] now. Jerry aware ... I was there at 1.30 to give him a shot. He said she was trying to start. He took his meds and went to bed but then she found the texts to Rochelle and all hell broke loose!! He had Travis get me back there around 4. Good thing he called or they would have hurt each other. We had to physically restrain both of them.”
This contradicts McGivern’s account saying only Heard had to be restrained and Depp was not violent toward Heard as the text implies both Depp and Heard engaged in violent behavior.
Whitney Henriquez’s (Amber’s sister) text to Kevin Murphy (estate manager for Johnny Depp): Henriquez sent text messages to Muprhy upon discovering the apartment’s damage hours after the incident.
The conversation includes photos as well as text that blames Depp for the damage to Heard’s closet and the apartment.
Inconsistencies in Travis McGivern’s (security guard for Johnny Depp) account: In the UK trial, McGivern at first stated that he entered Depp’s penthouse alone, after which Heard and Lloyd followed. In a separate statement to the court, he said “When Ms Lloyd and I entered his residence…” implying he did not enter alone.
In documents from the UK trial, it was written: “Mr McGivern agreed that the account of the incident which he gave in cross-examination differed from the account in his statement. He did not have a satisfactory explanation for the difference. I find that the weight I can give to his evidence is consequently reduced.”
March 27, 2015– Amber and Johnny have positive interactions
During a session on March 27th, Cowan recorded that Heard “has managed to have some positive interactions with [Depp].” He stated that she “seems to be gaining some degree of strength and confidence in herself,” though some problems persisted with Depp’s sister as well as her own.
Later, on April 2nd, Cowan wrote that Heard was doing “fairly well” despite her work out of the country putting distance between her and Depp.
April 10, 2015– Johnny begs Amber
On April 10th, Cowan recorded a text he had received from Heard in his notes. She wrote:
“Had the best conversation with Johnny. I set myself up to let him to come to me (which is SO hard for me, obviously) but in doing so he came to me apologizing and begging to not have it be over etc....
Having the power in my hands seemed to give him the opportunity to regret what he'd done.”
April 15, 2015– Amber on the red carpet
Scars like those described in the Australia incident could be seen on Heard’s arms when she walked the Tribecca Film Festival red carpet in 2015.
April 21, 2015– Pistol and Boo's flight to Brisbane
On a private plane from Los Angeles, California to Brisbane, Australia, Depp and Heard took a flight accompanied by their two dogs, Pistol and Boo. While completing an incoming passenger card, Heard incorrectly answered “No” to the question, “Are you bringing into Australia animals, parts of animals, etc.?”
On May 13th, the dogs were quarantined. Two days later, they were taken out of Australia. In July 2015, Heard was charged with providing a falsified document to government officials. In April of 2016, she claimed via affidavit that she mistakenly believed that the necessary documentation for the dogs’ entry into Australia had been provided separately and that it was not necessary for her to declare their presence at the customs entry. This was supported by the claim that the recent termination of Heard’s assistant, Kate James, led to a mix-up in regards to Heard’s travel arrangements and documentation. In October of 2015, Kevin Murphy, an estate manager for Depp, signed a statement, saying,
“Although Mrs Depp initially instructed me to make arrangements for the dogs to travel to Australia in April 2015, it was Ms James, an Australian citizen, who assumed the primary responsibility for preparing the necessary travel-related paperwork to permit the dogs to travel with Mrs Depp to Australia. However, prior to the trip to Australia, Mrs Depp terminated Ms James’ employment. Nevertheless, I was under the impression that prior to her termination, Ms James had arranged for all necessary travel-related paperwork for the dogs to legally travel to Australia. Ms James never indicated otherwise…
Per the household policy, Mr Depp and Mrs Depp would not have travelled with the dogs to Australia if they didn’t believe all the necessary travel-related paperwork had been completed and approved.”
In witness statements during the UK trial in which Depp was suing The Sun in regards to Heard’s claims of abuse, however, Murphy retracted his previous position, saying, “The true position is that I was responsible for the paperwork which I could not obtain in time and that Ms Heard was fully aware of this in advance of traveling to Australia with the dogs.”
Though he did not provide evidence that Heard was aware of the failure to secure the proper documentation, in emails between himself and Heard in March and April of 2015, Murphy asked Heard if she would be content to allow the dogs to travel as cargo which Heard did not approve of, saying it would be “too dangerous” for the dogs.
Murphy told the UK court that he has only signed the statement to the Australian government in 2015 after Heard had indicated that not doing so would negatively affect his employment with Depp. Heard denied this along with Murphy’s other claim that Depp had requested the pets remain in Los Angeles.
Heard went on to tell the UK court that it was Depp who wanted the dogs to travel with them to Australia and that it was his staff who were tasked with securing the paperwork for their travel arrangements. She stated that Depp had filled out the same form she had upon their entry into Australia, however it was she that pled guilty for the charges as Depp had been concerned that any personal responsibility he was found to have in the matter may negatively affect his ability to gain a visa for residence in Australia in the future.
Kate James testified in the UK that Heard once sent her an email in September 2013 which read, “Can you maybe help Kevin procure a slightly altered health doc that has their shots recorded as two days before so they can all leave together on the 25th?? Do we have a vet we could grease? Connection?”
Though this was unrelated to the incident in 2015, James stated that this was representative of Heard’s willingness to falsify documents, specifically in relation to her dogs’ traveling arrangements. Heard countered this, telling the UK court, “I think this was about Johnny wanting Boo to have the shots to be able to travel–‘grease’ is Johnny’s language, not mine and, although I cannot specifically remember, I would likely have written it at Johnny’s request.”
April 22, 2015– Therapy sessions with Dr. Amy Banks
As with some of life's most rewarding gifts, I happened upon your book by accident... at just the right time. I picked it up in the airport (while in transit, fleeing the most traumatic and crushing situation I have ever faced) and spent the next few days in the precious comfort of your insight and advice.
It [is] with a plea of confidence that l can say after 3 and a half years of the most trying and compelling relationship I have ever known, I finally married the man with whom I am desperately in love. However I write to you today because those years, the relationship and my heart, has arrived at a breaking point.
It is believed that Heard was referring to the Australia incident as “the most traumatic and crushing situation [she had] ever faced.”
Banks then briefly treated Depp and Heard in four sessions from April 22nd to May 6th, 2015. Only one of these sessions involved both members of the couple; Banks saw Depp once for a solo session and Heard twice on her own.
In her deposition, Banks stated, “My understanding was that [Heard] was in a relationship with Johnny Depp that had gotten violent and out of control… I think she loved him deeply, and when things were going well, they had… an incredibly deep and resonant relationship. And when violence would happen, it would escalate quickly and pretty extensively, and I think she felt she couldn't do that anymore.”
It was reported to Banks that much of the couples’ issues stemmed from Depp’s drug use, specifically with cocaine. The couple also allegedly relayed that Depp would suffer mood swings and was frequently jealous of Heard’s “interest in other people.”
About Heard’s demeanor, Banks said, “I would say she was engaged; I would say she was very sad at times, you know, very concerned about the relationship; I think she worried that it was ending or that she… couldn't do it anymore; scared at the escalating violence… but also very concerned about Mr. Depp and was there anything to do to help him.”
Asked about Depp’s injured finger, Banks said she recalled it being relayed to her that it occurred “in the middle of one of these very… out-of-control, escalated fights.” She said, “As I remember it told to me, he actually cut off a part of his finger during one of these altercations, meaning in - and to me, the way I digested that, if you will, was that things had gotten particularly out of control.”
Banks did not recall many specific details of the encounter as it was explained to her, though she did say mentions of Depp’s self-harm via cigarette burns were “familiar” to her memory.
Asked if Depp ever confessed to any violence toward Heard, Banks stated:
“…When I was talking both with him and with the two of them together… they both acknowledged the violence. And, again, Amber would acknowledge that when it would start, she would fight back. It was clear to me that it was a violent relationship… What I can tell you without a doubt is that Amber Heard told me that Johnny Depp was involved in violence with her when he was using substances particularly, that she would fight back. And those statements were made, also, in front of Mr. Depp without anybody contradicting them.”
Banks said she did not notice any injuries, bruising, cuts, or swelling on Heard during their sessions via video-call.
April 26, 2015– Johnny's text to Jerry
On April 26th, Depp sent the following text to Jerry Judge, his then-head of security: “Thank you, my dear Jerry!!! Very very kind mate!! All I had to do was send the monster away and lock him up!!! We’ve been happier than EVER!!! Love you brother JD.”
May 14, 2015– Johnny's text to Stephen
On May 14th, Depp texted his assistant, Deuters, “Need to discuss the News Helicopters hovering outside the house this morning ... I’m ready to shoot a motherfucker!!! But don’t worry ... The Monster is not involved.”
June 26, 2015– "Something that promises so much predictable pain"
On June 26th, Cowan reported that he had seen Heard for a short time “between travels.” He wrote:
“Working actors have some unique challenges in terms of distances, trust, etc. But [Heard and Depp] have all these issues amplified by [deep-seated] suspicion and insecurity.
[Continuting] to try and help her with [self-soothing], personal responsibility and anger management. She is as quick to flare as he is and has similar insecurities. Amber worries about [Depp’s] drug usage.
Interesting how strongly someone continues to want something that promises so much predictable pain…
Trying to get her to look at how this relationship serves her needs for trust and security. Sighted blindness here for sure!”
June 28th, 2015– Johnny's text to Dr. Kipper
As Depp appeared to be making strides in his sobriety, he texted Dr. Kipper, saying:
“... By the way Amber and I have been absolutely perfect for 3 fuckin’ months solid!!!! I have locked my monster child away in a cage deep within and it has fuckin’ worked!!!We’re goddam best friends now!!! Amazing!!! Big love to you, my brother... JD”
The three most recent texts sent by Depp include references to “the monster,” indicating that this was not just a term used by Heard but also employed by Depp who seems to associate the name with unhinged, violent behavior and his substance abuse.
July 5th, 2015– Johnny wants Dr. Cowan fired
As revealed in Kipper’s later court testimony, Depp sent Kipper a text on July 5th, 2015, amidst Cowan’s treatment of Heard:
“I've just got quite a lot going on with business stuff, my Keith film, and some Amber issues... By the way, I'll try not to be too subtle about this...Cowan should be stripped of his license to practice his supposed profession...and then he should be stripped and spray-painted whilst handcuffed to a stop sign!!! He is at best a fraudulent, irresponsible turd of monumental proportions!!!”
July 8, 2015– "Relationship continues to cylce"
On July 8th, Cowan wrote in his notes following a phone conversation with Heard:
“Relationship continues to cycle through typical conflict. One chronic issue is [Depp’s] continued drug abuse. This issue is [aggravated] by [moodiness] and stress on both sides. Making efforts to keep Amber as calm as possible.”
July 24th, 2015– Johnny has concerns about Amber's sessions with Dr. Cowan
The same month Depp texted Kipper saying Cowan should be “stripped of his license,” he sent Kipper another text raising concerns about Heard’s on-going treatment with Cowan despite Heard’s apparent contentment with his services, writing:
“Hey, dear pal, Amber is happy-happy with Cowan...I just don't know what truth he gets, and I don't know what his manners and strengths are...I think she listens to him, because when we argue, she slathers me up in the most condescending, psychiatric trophy lines like...'Your fear is so visible...what are you scared of?...!!! Why are you letting your fear and your ego control your life, etc.?'...hippy shit...makes me wanna rampage against ANYONE wearing Birkenstocks!!!”
July 27, 2015– Train incident
Amber’s account: Heard and Depp got into an argument while on a train ride. She describes the incident in a diary entry from the following day:
“After 3 hours of sleep and terrible fight we got in last night, we are both walking zombies today ... A night that ended at 3.30 and was brutally interrupted by the train’s imminent arrival to the Singapore station too early this morning after 3 hours of sleep – it has felt like an even more brutal heart hangover. But last night was particularly bad. We finally fell asleep with one another smashed together in desperate child-like anger, fear and love finally succumbing to exhaustion and ultimately unavoidable futility.... Our fight was terrible. J [Mr Depp] finally at one point found himself with his shirt wrapped around my neck (amazing to think about the precision/coordination that required considering the circumstances). He hit me several times. I don’t even know how I wound up with this huge rather annoying knot on the back of my head? Fuck, I hate that it [indecipherable] there. I hate that I allow it to by never using that as a line for which I stand my ground. Where are my cones? Do I have any left?”
Johnny’s account: Depp was never violent toward Heard during their trip. It was, in fact, she who had attacked him.
A photo from the journey shows Depp with an injury under his eye, which came from Heard’s punch to his face.
Other accounts
Malcolm Connolly’s (bodyguard for Johnny Depp) account: Connolly was in a separate car from Depp and Heard and did not witness any fight, however, he also did not see any injury to Heard in the days following, which he would have had she been attacked as she claimed.
Other information to consider
Johnny’s lack of testimony in UK: While Depp spoke of the physical abuse he endured by Heard during his recent trial in the US, under questioning in the UK, he did not speak of enduring any violence on this trip.
Inconsistency with Johnny’s photo and alleged injuries: Depp has been accused of editing the photo he submitted to the court showcasing his alleged injury from the trip. Heard’s team submitted a similar photo with a different amount of saturation from the one Depp provided. Depp’s team argued that Heard’s team had edited the photo to hide Depp’s injury:
A Facebook post made by the train company from August 2015 shows a photo that looks closer to the one Heard’s team provided:
Other photos taken prior to the trip seem to showcase a similar dark section beneath Depp’s eye, indicating it may not have been a result of any alleged altercation aboard the train.
August 19, 2015– Dr. Cowan encourages Amber to be transparent
On August 19th, Cowan wrote in his notes that he and Heard discussed how Heard could have conversations with Depp regarding her movie roles. Cowan wrote:
“[The] issue is her doing a film with an actor that [Depp] feels threatened by. Amber was afraid to have the conversation. I encouraged her to be transparent and attempt it.”
After this conversation Heard sent Cowan a text, writing:
It didn't work. The conversation went south because he drove it there. And no matter how hard I worked to keep calm which I did a good job of externally (I didn't yell or raise my voice or act angry, call names, throw insults --- nothing. I didn't engage. I didn't take the bait and after an hour of silence on the couch and him asking me what was wrong with me, I just said 'I want you to be happy' which led to THE conversation which obviously what the whole thing / non-thing was about, and it just didn't work.
He kept insinuated things, throwing jabs, insults and when I would calmly yes calmly, say that I was being hurt by some of the things he was saying help me interpret it differently ... It inevitably ended up being hostility threats more insults and D defense. I literally put up with it for two hours. Didn't crack.
Didn't get mad (externally) and nothing worked.
He just was hostile angry mean and insulting. And then walked away to “go to bed."
So now I am pacing in my closet room vibrating and crying on what to do or how it could go wrong .
I didn't give chase or yell or fight or do any thing I normally give into doing yet I feel TERRIBLE
August 29, 2015– Johnny's email regarding Amber's nudity
On August 29th, Depp sent an email to Tracey Jacobs (Depp’s agent at the time) threatening to “ruin” producers on the film, London Fields, if footage of his was not removed from the film along with any of Heard’s filmed nudity.
Due to events which would follow in November of 2016, it appeared that Depp and Heard were in agreement regarding their disapproval of the Producer’s Cut for the film, however a producer on the film, Christopher Hanley, along with his wife, Roberta, who’d written the London Fields screenplay, later claimed that Heard had initially agreed to the film’s nudity, then rescinded her support “under perceived or actual pressure from Depp,” whom the filmmakers claimed had been characterized by Heard as “extremely jealous.”
September 15, 2015– Johnny agrees to couples therapy
On September 15th, Cowan wrote in his notes that Depp had agreed to attend couples’ counseling with Heard. Cowan stated:
“Relationship continues to limp along in its unique, toxic way. Amber sees the level of dysfunction but remains trapped by all her fears.
Will continue to try and help her through this but have little hope this will end well.”
Mid-September, 2015– Toronto
(This specific argument makes up about the first 20 minutes of this video)
Heard is upset that Depp wants to leave to go to a party; she feels like she’s not made a priority in his life and that he abandons her whenever she is upset about something
The arguing escalates and Depp throws off his wedding ring
Heard asserts that Depp had been in a good mood earlier and was extremely affectionate toward her; she’s frustrated that his attitude has seemingly shifted so dramatically
Depp accuses Heard of constantly insulting him, which she denies
Depp mentions something about Heard smacking him in the ear which she responds to by telling him she loves him
They argue about instances in which one of them left the other during an argument
Heard alleges that Depp had passed out naked in the bathroom on a separate occasion and she was pounding on the door to try to wake him up out of fear that he’d choke on his vomit in his sleep
They continue a back-and-forth and Depp tells Heard that he’s falling out of love with her
September 26, 2015– 4 hour audio recording
Depp and Heard record one of their arguments.
While this recording now appears to have been heavily edited, here are the basic notes:
Depp mentions becoming “irrational,” “jealous,” and “fucking crazy and weird” when Heard films movies
Heard expresses that she doesn’t like it when Depp leaves at the beginning of an argument
Depp complains about Heard coming to find him to resume arguments whenever he tries to leave and cool down
Depp feels that Heard criticizes him excessively
Heard says most of the people in Depp’s life will not call him out on things
Heard says Depp’s lateness to events has become so prevalent that it’s now a joke amongst her friends. She says this makes her feel like Depp is not being considerate of her.
They discuss multiple past arguments
Depp accuses Heard of throwing a vodka bottle at him in Australia
Heard seems to admit to throwing a bottle but counters by saying Depp threw things as well
They do not agree on who initiated the violence and Heard challenges Depp’s memory of the event due to the substances he was allegedly on at the time
They then argue over an incident from the night prior during which Heard apparently hit Depp in the head with a door
Heard says she doesn’t remember the incident well because she had taken an Ambien
They argue about the insults they’ve used against one another
Depp says Heard called him “weak,” “spineless,” a “pussy” and a “coward” while Heard says Depp called her a “liar,” a “slut,” and a “whore”
They debate when someone should say they’re sorry
Depp thinks they say it too soon in arguments before they’re even presented their case to one another
Heard thinks they should apologize immediately out of consideration for the other person’s feelings
They decide to make a list of things they’re going to do to work on their marital problems
Heard says she wants them to agree to never say they want a “divorce” while fighting
They then fight about how often each other has threatened divorce in the past
They talk about getting a marriage counselor
Heard mentions something about Depp’s use of Xanax which prompts an argument about each other’s drug usage
Depp seems to get annoyed that Heard is mentioning his use of prescription medication and Heard becomes upset that she’s being accused of “judging” him and says he is putting words into her mouth
Throughout the recording, they continuously come back to the points of when someone should say “sorry,” how often each of them criticizes the other, and how often Depp “splits” in an argument
Heard talks more often than Depp and breaks into a yelling tone of voice frequently
Depp mentions Heard “throwing pots and pans” when she’s angry
Depp calls Heard a liar for not admitting to punching Depp to one of his security guards when confronted about it
Heard says she didn’t “punch” him, she “hit” him
She calls Depp a “fucking baby”
Heard admits to starting a physical fight on the occasion in which she punched/hit Depp
Heard later says she “fucked up” the night before by kicking Depp out of bed when she thought he was about to “split”
Heard says that Depp takes any criticism she voices and portrays it as a “verbal assault” on him
Eventually, they acknowledge their continued love for one another and resolve to do better in the future
In a separate audio recording, seemingly from the same day, the couple discusses an incident with a bathroom door.
These two recordings were played separately, however a transcript from unsealed court documents clarifies their context as well as Heard’s alleged “hit”/“punch” toward Depp.
In the transcript, it appears that the incident the two are referring to took place after Depp accidentally scraped Heard’s toes with a door while she was standing outside it. According to what’s said on recording, Heard then accidentally pushed the door into Depp’s head, then purposely hit him after she claims to have mistakenly believed they were entering a physical fight.
AH: “I hit you. Yes. After I felt like that barrier was broken down. When the door slammed on my foot, I went, oh shit it’s going down. I reacted to the pain. The fuckin door caught me. And I thought, ‘He’s getting violent. I thought we were going there in my head. We’ve been there before. And I reacted…
Last time, the last three fights, all in Toronto, I didn’t react. And I felt fucked over, royally fucked over. No one was in more pain than me for that entire week following. Because I heard everything that you just cannot imagine to somebody and I didn’t react. I didn’t stoop to that level. I didn’t call you names. I didn’t tell you I didn’t love you. I didn’t do any of that shit. And I suffered for it. So I have learned probably in a bad way that it doesn’t do any good when you take the high road, and when you’re the only person doing it, you get hurt more…
And so I feel like that didn’t work. I really tried hard in Toronto. I walked away with all the fucking bruises. And the second I felt physical pain, it just went— in my brain went something different than the emotional pain. And I went shit, this is going down…
I did mean to hit you with my first or hand. I didn’t mean to punch you. I meant to hit you. I’m sorry I didn’t open my hand. I’m actually sorry…I did it at all. I should never do that. I should never get physical.
But in my defense, I felt that pain… I went, ‘This is physical.’ And I just thought we were going there. And I didn’t last time. I got hurt more for it.
I’m sorry I did it. And I came over today because I feel bad…”
JD: “So once I [hit you with the door], that’s when you thought, oh fuck, the violence is on…”
AH: “I just — my brain just went there, just clicked. And I should’ve controlled it better. It’s my fault.”
Early October 2015– Amber and Johnny go to couples' therapy
On October 1st, Depp and Heard attended couples’ therapy with Dr. Laurel Anderson. Anderson’s notes state that Depp called Heard a “whore,” accused Heard of using him for fame, told Heard that “no one likes [her],” and said that he was “falling out of love” with her.
Heard then allegedly called Depp a “fat old man” and confessed to hitting him in the jaw. Anderson wrote that Heard was “fully in the co-dependent role” and stated that Heard “bites the bait” and “doesn’t answer directly when [Depp] asks her a question.”
On October 6th, Anderson wrote that Depp “hits” Heard with “no closed fist.” According to Anderson, Heard “hits back and now starts it for pride.”
The next day, Anderson wrote that Depp and Heard got into an argument, during which Heard was “yelling [and] aggressive.” Heard allegedly denied being aggressive and called Depp “babyish.”
Anderson wrote that Depp tried to deescalate the fight but eventually threatened divorce which caused Heard to be more upset. According to Anderson, Heard tried to “reframe it all as an argument, not fighting” and claimed to feel “abandoned from [Depp’s] world.” Heard allegedly claimed that Depp picked a fight about when the fight started.
October 21, 2015– Johnny shows his "true colors"
On October 21st, Cowan recorded a text message he had received from Heard in his notes. She wrote:
“All worked out yesterday re that conversation..
However he showed his true colors in therapy today and stormed out of the office in a big fit, in similar fashion to what he did at yours.”
Mid-November 2015– Amber faces charges alone
On November 16th, Cowan remarked on the charges Heard was facing due to the April trip to Australia with the couple’s two dogs. He wrote:
“While both dogs were taken… Amber signed the papers and [she is] facing the charges alone. This has been very stressful for her. This combined with the continued volatility of her relationship has been taking its toll.”
Three days later, Cowan wrote that Heard was “agitated and angry” about the charges, further stating:
“Part of this anger is directed toward [Depp] who she claims suggested taking the dogs but had her do all the paperwork. Also anger at herself and contrite/remorseful. This may impose restrictions on her travel and make working much more difficult. All of this puts yet more stress on her relationship with [Depp].”
November 26, 2015– Thanksgiving
Amber’s account: Depp assaulted Heard during two separate incidents on Thanksgiving, 2015.
In the first, Depp and Heard were having a gathering with multiple guests for the holiday. The couple retreated to their bedroom while guests were mingling in Depp’s penthouse. While alone, Depp and Heard began arguing.
Depp was using multiple substances at the time, especially cocaine and marijuana.
In the bedroom, Depp threw a decanter at Heard. He missed, but the glass broke in the room.
The second incident took place after the couple’s guests left.
The fight resulted in Heard having a split lip and a lump on the back of her head.
Johnny’s account: There was no assault on this night. A video from the event of the couple and their guests prove that the couple was happy on Thanksgiving 2015. Any fight alleged by Heard was invented by her as a way to hurt Depp’s reputation.
Other information to consider
Erin Falati’s (nurse for Amber Heard) notes: Falati was in attendance at Depp and Heard’s Thanksgiving celebration. Her notes from the date state:
“[Heard] appears well groomed, calm, in good spirits. [Heard] socializes well with peers and RN and appears to be enjoying hosting her family and friends… [Depp] appeared calm and coherent.”
December 15, 2015– Alleged Assault
Amber’s account: This was one of the worst nights of the couple’s relationship.
Heard informed Depp that she intended to leave him and if he ever touched her again, she would call the police.
As she began to walk toward a guest apartment, Depp pushed her. He then grabbed her and pulled her from one room to the next.
At some point, Depp grabbed Heard by the throat, pushed her down to the ground, and punched her in the back of her head. He then grabbed her by her hair, slapped her in the face, and screamed, “I fucking will kill you – I’ll fucking kill you, you hear me?” or similar words. In the process, Depp pulled large chunks of hair and scalp out of her head. He then head-butted her, hitting her on the nose with his forehead.
Heard was worried she had a concussion and contacted a doctor the following day. She did not have a concussion but she did suffer headaches for a week after the assault.
In addition to the assault on Heard, Depp also greatly damaged the apartment. Heard and her friend, Raquel Pennington, took photos of the damage. The bed had been splintered, a clump of Heard’s hair sat on the carpet, and Depp vandalized the apartment, writing “Why be a fraud? All is such bullshit” on the kitchen counter with gold pen.
The next day, Heard was scheduled to appear on The Late Late Show with James Corden. Her makeup artist had to cover Heard’s injuries prior to the taping.
Johnny’s account: Heard fabricated much of the incident in an effort to continue her hoax. The blonde hair on the ground, for instance, did not belong to Heard.
The only violence committed on this night was by Heard, not Depp. Heard violently attacked Depp, leaving him with scratches and swelling around his face. Heard, by contrast, had no visible injuries.
Depp did inadvertently hit Heard with his head, but this was only an accident as Depp attempted to hold Heard in a way that would intercept her assault on him. Afterward, Heard faked an injury to her nose and put nail polish onto a tissue to convince Depp that he had caused her nose to bleed.
If Heard had been seen with a bloody lip, this was because she frequently had dry, chapped lips and bit them in order to cause them to bleed.
Depp committed the graffiti left on the kitchen counter but did not inflict any other form of damage within the apartment.
Other accounts
Rocky Pennington’s (friend of Amber Heard’s) account: Pennington came to Heard’s apartment after the assault.
Heard was visibly injured. Her hair was bloody from where a chunk had been pulled out, her face was red, her nose was swelling up, and her lip was bleeding.
Pennington was told that Depp head-butted Heard.
Pennington took photos of Heard’s face and the damage within the apartment.
While getting ready for the James Corden interview, a hairstylist named Adir told Heard not to touch her hair at all as Adir had styled it to cover up where the clump had been pulled out.
Melanie Inglessis (makeup artist used by Amber Heard on The Late Late Show with James Corden): Inglessis covered Heard’s injuries prior to her appearance on The Late Late Show.
She also visited the apartment shortly after the assault and testified to seeing the graffiti left by Depp.
Heard was in between sad and furious and told Inglessis that she and Depp had had a fight, during which he’d tried to suffocate Heard with a pillow. Heard believed Depp was trying to kill her.
Depp left bruising to Heard’s eyes, the left eye being a little more injured than the right. The ridge of Heard’s nose was a little red and swollen.
Inglessis used makeup to cover the bruises. She had no choice but to use red lipstick to conceal the injury to Heard’s lip.
Kevin Murphy’s (estate manager for Johnny Depp) account: Murphy visited the apartment after the alleged assault.
Heard was sitting on the edge of the bed crying. She complained that Depp hit her in the face several times and pulled out her hair, however, Murphy did not see any injury to Heard. She was not wearing any makeup and there were no marks, bruises, cuts, redness, or swelling to her face. There were also no apparent areas on her head where her hair had been pulled out.
Samantha McMillen’s (stylist who worked with Amber Heard prior to The Late Late Show and still works with Johnny Depp today) account: McMillen did not see any injuries on Heard the following day.
After the show’s taping, Heard said to McMillen, “Can you believe that I did that show with two black eyes?” She was surprised because Heard appeared to be uninjured and had not said anything to McMillen about her alleged injuries prior to the taping.
Sean Bett’s (bodyguard of Johnny Depp) account: Bett witnessed injuries on Depp after the incident.
Laurel Anderson (couples’ therapist for Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in 2015): On December 15th, Anderson wrote in her notes that Heard and Depp had gotten into a fight, as reported to her by Heard. Anderson wrote that Heard had slapped Depp “as he sat there talking incoherently” and suggested there was “another [woman]” in his life. Anderson reported, “ Then they fought, her too, and he pulled out hair, bruised her face, kicked her leg, hit her in the head.” Heard apparently questioned whether or not she should call the police and report the alleged abuse. Heard texted Anderson photos of her injuries and showed her the injuries in person on December 17th.
Other information to consider
Amber’s messages to multiple individuals: Heard sent multiple messages alluding to the assault she alleges to have endured.
On the night of the alleged assault, she texted her psychotherapist, Dr. Cowan, “emergency can you please call me?” Later, she wrote:
“Johnny did a number on me tonight. I’m safe with my support tonight but I need some real help. Can I come tomorrow. I called earlier because I thought I had a concussion and didn’t know if I should have called police. But I have a nurse close to me – and rocky and a her [sic] have been here for me. Can I see you tmrw.”
The next day, she sent another message to Cowan:
“Connell, sorry haven’t called because rocky came over last night. Then dealt with Security and called nurse for medical help and went down to sleep ... Today has been filled with work (I’m shooting a late show appearance today – with two black eyes) In short? I need your help. But will have time tomorrow to get it. Can you please make time for me??
Johnny beat me up pretty good last night.
He’s using again.”
On December 16th, she sent the following message to Kevin Murphy:
“... I just wanted to let you know that the maids will be needed down town today, even though Johnny didn’t sleep here last night. He left quite a dent on the place before he left.”
She then sent messages alleging an “accident” to her publicist, Jodi Gottlieb, and agent, Jessica Kovacevic:
“I had an accident tonight Jodi. I’m really bruised and might have a black eye or two tmrw – same with my nose. Nurse on the way to make sure I don’t have concussion. There’s a chance I might not be fit for tomorrow. But I won’t know how bad the bruising is until the morning. Giving you a heads up. I’ll call tmrw to let you know -k?”
and
“I had an accident tonight Jessica. I’m really bruised and might have a black eye or two tmrw – same with my nose. Nurse on the way to make sure I don’t have concussion. There’s a chance I might not be fit for tomorrow. But I won’t know how bad the bruising is until the morning. Giving you a heads up. I’ll call tmrw to let you know -k?”
Heard also sent her friend, iO Tillett Wright, a message which said, “I need you. ... J beat me up pretty good ... Rocks on the couch with me now ... When r u back ... I’m hurt. Don’t know what to do. Need you.”
Heard also texted nurse Falati on the 16th after talking with her on a phone call. The text appears to be a follow-up on the phone conversation, saying, “Just found a bunch of Coke ...Which explains it.” This appears to imply that Heard believes Depp was on cocaine at the time of the assault.
On December 17th, Heard and nurse Falati exchanged the following messages:
EB: Just finished watching your appearance last night. I had recorded it. You looked and sounded great, and honestly, nothing looked wrong at all.
AH: That’s a miracle ... Hey, I have had a headache basically for the last couple of days ... my head is still really bruised. I still feel a lot of welts on it. I called Kipper’s office and Lisa said he was away until tomorrow but that Monroe could look at me. Do you think I should go and get checked out by him?
EB: I think if you are still hurting at this point then it wouldn’t hurt to get a full check up / assessment. Monroe is a really good guy and very smart nurse practitioner. ... Are you OK??? Did you go to the office?
AH: yes I did I saw Monroe. And went to therapists and lawyer’s office today. Just really sad.
On December 20th, Heard and Cowan had the following exchange:
AH: I don’t feel stong enough.
I want to be.
Just don’t feel it.
He wants to say bye to me. He came over to grab some things. I just don’t want him to leave.
I don’t know what to do.
CC: All I can tell you Amber is that it’s important to trust what you know to be safe and healthy for you and to distrust any of those feelings that come from fear and insecurity. Whatever you decide, whatever you do, make sure you try to let it come from strength, not weakness. I know you don’t want him to go, but staying and using leads to what??
The same day, Heard had a conversation with Pennington:
AH: I'll let you know. I'm textin with him now about what's best. Talk when he gets here vs. when he's leaving
I hate that I wish he wasn't leaving
I feel abandoned by someone who should be crawling back to apologize to ME!
I feel so ashamed
RP: You have nothing to be ashamed about. Nothing
Love comes from the heart, from the gut. It has nothing to do with the brain
By the way, I'm not near the end of ability to support you. Not even close, none of us are. So the second you need something, no matter how dramatic and crazy, I am here. Josh is here. Leola is here. No judgment. Just love.
…
AH: I'm being strong - basically faking it
…
I said “you head butted me” and his response? “I just gave you a little knock!” “With my head”
And then left the room after saying what a “fuck up” he was and such
Fucking feeling sorry for himself
poor him
RP: Omg
AH: Can't take any responsibility
RP: Does that make it a little easier?
AH: Just like josh said
He doesn't know how
Are you sure you guys are okay not going to the island?? I feel terrible for ruining cams
*xmas
RP: You didn't ruin it!
Christmas is going to happen many more times. And home is where you and our moms are I love you so much. You are the strongest person I know.
AH: He's crying
Now playing the sorry I fucked up and am so fucked up card
RP: Yes, because he's losing you for real
Because he knows you mean it.
This means you are communicating clearly. Keep going. Do not let him stay there tonight. Speak from strength, not from desperation. Listen to what your gut says will serve your strength.
The following day:
AH: I'm ok
Just been a hard night.
Crying
And talking
And crying more
RP: Oh Amber, I wish there was anything I could do to make this load not as heavy
Thank you for responding, I was dreaming about you. I was worried.
Are you ok?
I think Johnny just came in and left a note on my floor
AH: He's fucked up
RP: Yes obviously
AH: i asked him to leave ignore it
He's gone
I'm so sorry
He's just feeling like he's fucked up
RP: No need to apologize it's not your fault
AH: I asked him to leave twice
RP: I saw Steven in the hallway, can he help? Can we help?
AH: l don't know He's not with me He's drink
*drunk
RP: Can you get out of there?
Can I come get you and we will go?
If he won't leave?
ls he gone?
Come I come help you?
I feel stupid giving you space. I feel like coming to help you, even if it's just standing there as witness
AH: lt's ok
RP: I'm so worried
AH: It's okay. He's sleeping here tonight because he started throwing up
RP: Ok
AH: I'm so soar
RP: Can you go be with your mama?
AH: *sad
I have nmbeen thinking about it
*been
But it will antagonize
RP: Just try to get some rest and you can get back to solving problems tomorrow Turn him on his stomach and let your mom take care of you
On December 22nd, Heard wrote another message to Cowan:
“I am so sorry if I worried you. As you can imagine, the day of travel (20th) he came over to ‘say goodbye’ and there commenced an entire day of hashing it out… ultimately ending in his agreement to commit to couples counselling etc… and my decision to go to the island with him and the kids. It’s just us and has been relaxing and incredibly peaceful–even if it is just avoiding an inevitable larger ‘discussion/conclusion’. Anyway sorry for the long text. I will text you when I get back to LA. I wish I could tell you I had the strength to walk away but I just wasn’t (although I certainly saw he believed I had) but anyway… I will text you when I’m back on the 30th. Perhaps I need to rush on in there as soon as you open for the new year… Thank you for checking in, Connell. That means a lot to me.”
Johnny’s texts with Amber’s dad: On December 21st, Heard’s father sent Johnny the following text:
“JD I understand little more about what's going on then I did, I'm not mad I understand, a man has got to be a man and I'm not saying that you were completely justified but I understand I'm talking to Paige and I think I know what is going on a little better I wish you and I were talking. And I can tell you that I told you before I could fu: this if I could sit down with you and Amber at the same time by ourselves and you would understand why I don't want to kill you could beat you up or anything, I would say no more hitting for anybody I think you and Amber Jack and Lily Rose only should go to the island for a few days and let me talk to Amber and tell her what she needs to stop doing to help your situation. I still love you like a brother or father or whatever and I think it could work things out, I think the whole thing about all the friends and everything is getting in the way but the main thing is that amber should never hit you or call you another name and same goes for you and if that were the case you guys could be happy together for the rest of your lives!!!! I mean that and I know that from the bottom of my heart I know that Amber needs help with her temper the same as you need help with your problem with drugs and alcohol mixing together good causes you to lose control, even though it's not one-sided”
On December 30th, Depp sent a text to Heard’s father, writing:
“Below is a text that I never hit send on from a week, or so again ... It was in response to vou ...
Hey, brother ... I love you, too!! More than you can ever imagine...!!! It's rare in life when one meets a kindred spirit... A couple of madmen with the thirst for 'FURTHER!!!'... Their have only been maybe 3 people in my entire life, of your ilk!!! You're a rare specimen and our friendship means everything!!! Yes, I fucked up and went too far in our fight!!! I cannot and WILL NOT excuse my part inside these dramas!!!
But, I can promise you, with all confidence, THEY WILLNEVER HAPPEN AGAIN!!! My most sincere apologies if I've let you down... Love you, brother...
X
JD”
Erin Falati (nurse for Amber Heard, hired by Johnny Depp): Notes from Falati’s contact with Heard following the alleged assault indicate that Heard informed Falati of the incident immediately after. She’d visited Heard the following day and witnessed some of Heard’s injuries.
“[Heard] states [Depp] has left home and she is unaware of his location. [Heard] reports getting into verbal disagreement with husband at their home in downtown LA. She states [that Depp] was inebriated. [Heard] states the disagreement escalated and states [Depp] used his forehead to hit her head. [Heard] denies loss of consciousness. States she has headache and bruised eye. RN encouraged [Heard] to notify Dr. Kipper and/or go to emergency room if she was injured or felt like she is in danger. [Heard] declined and stated friend Rocky is with her and that [Depp] will not be able to reenter home.
[Heard] greeted RN at door looking disheveled. Hair appeared unbrushed. [Heard] appeared weepy and sad. Posture is slouched. [Heard] told RN about argument with husband.
RN offered emotional support… [Heard] has not had contact with husband since altercation. [Heard] had visible bright red blood appearing at center of lower lip. When RN made client aware that she was actively bleeding from on her lip, [Heard] stated it was from an injury she sustained in the argument between her and her husband and that it continues to bleed actively.
[Heard] also states that her head is bruised and that she lost clumps of hair in altercation. RN briefly looked at [Heard] scalp but was unable to visualize the hematomas [Heard] had described. RN encouraged [Heard] to be seen by physician Dr. Kipper or go to emergency/urgent care for thorough assessment. [Heard] states she will contact Dr. Kipper tomorrow. [Heard] supported by friends, Rocky and iO, who will be staying at [Heard’s] home with her.”
Some spark ignited an argument that escalated and got violent. Shoving and screaming. Amber related that he started the physicality – pushed her down. Amber got back up. Hard for her to de-escalate a fight. Her strategy (despite our conversations) is to try and fight back (not protective of self and very self-defeating)”
On December 22nd, he wrote about his previous text exchange with Heard:
“The text was in response to a message I sent expressing concern. This is obviously a toxic and destructive relationship. Amber understands how damaging and destructive the relationship is and still refuses to move on.”
Dr. Kipper’s notes: On December 16th, the following note was made about Heard by someone on Kipper’s medical staff:
Ct contacts RN via phone and states she had an argument with husband JD previous night. Ct states husband JD has left home and she is unaware of his location. Client reports getting into verbal disagreement with husband at their home in downtown LA. She states husband JD was inebriated. Ct states the disagreement escalated and states husband JD used his forehead to hit her head. Ct denies loss of consciousness. States she had a headache and bruised eye. RN encouraged Ct to notify Dr. Kipper and/or go to emergency room if she was injured for felt like she was in danger. Ct declined and stated friend Rocky is with her and that husband JD will not be able to reenter home.
Notes from an appointment with Dr. Monroe Tinker: Though Tinker said in his deposition that his appointment with Heard was uneventful–claiming he asked if she was “okay” to which she did not respond, thereby ending the appointment–notes from the day of Heard’s visit appear to report her seeking treatment from injuries following the December 15th alleged incident. The notes first report a “phone consultation with [the] patient about [a] headache from bumping [her] head while standing up two days prior.” It then appears that Tinker recommended Heard take “over-the-counter Tylenol 650 milligrams by mouth every eight hours or ibuprofen 600 milligrams every 12 hours by mouth for [her] headache.”
December 19, 2015– Amber's texts with Lily-Rose
On December 19th, 2015, Heard and Depp’s daughter exchangedmultiple, friendly, text-messages, despite Depp’s later claim that Heard and his children did not get along.
After Heard asked if she would be able to see Lily-Rose before she left for a trip to San Francisco, Lily-Rose responded, saying, “I hope so!!!” She then asked Heard if she was “okay,” to which Heard replied, “It’s been hard. But I’ll be okay.”
Lily-Rose told Heard she was going to a Miley Cyrus concert but asked if Heard would be “around” when she got back, saying, “I miss you so much I hope you know I’m here for you–that will never change. Love you Ladyballs.”
Late-December 2015– Second Bahamas trip
Despite the alleged events of December 15, 2015, Heard and Depp took a trip to the Bahamas with Depp’s children later that month.
Tara Roberts, Depp’s estate manager on the island, would later claim to have witnessed Heard verbally insulting Depp on December 22, telling him he was a “washed-up actor” who will die “a lonely old man.” Roberts also claimed Heard hid Depp’s keys to stop him from leaving.
Later, Roberts said she found Depp with a red gash on the bridge of his nose. He informed her that Heard had thrown a can at him.
The same day Roberts allegedly witnessed Heard insulting Depp, Cowan wrote in his notes that Depp and Heard were in an “obviously… toxic and destructive relationship.” He said that Heard “understands how damaged and damaging the relationship is and still refuses to move on.”
In her 2016 deposition during their divorce, Heard claimed to not specifically remember throwing anything at Depp as anything she would have thrown would have been in self-defense. Asked about their fighting on the island, Heard said,
“On the island, I remember the last time he came at me really bad, he came at me really hard. And it started in the closet. And at one point he had me by the neck in the closet and… he said… “You don’t think I’ll fucking do it this time? You don’t think I’ll fucking do it?”
He had his hands around my neck. He wasn’t squeezing very hard… but he was squeezing. And… I don’t know if I… pushed him or I picked something up to get away… but I have thrown something on the island at him while I was running from the closet where this started to the door to get out.”
The couples’ marriage counselor, Dr. Anderson, wrote in her notes following the incident, “didn't fight on island till last day on island started [to] get into something. he got aggressive, threatening, didn’t touch him. [She] hid in [the] bathroom… threw [a] can at him.”
December 31, 2015– Amber's exchange with nurse Falati
On December 31st, Heard had the following exchange with Falati:
AH: ha! I think J was trying to text from my computer last night......
i just read those last ones ..
sheesh
EB: Ha! OK, that makes a little more sense. I didn't understand when I read those this morning.
AH: yeah, that was J
he was fucked up
shocker
i know
EB: Uh oh. Went me to tell Debbie or Kipper or do you want to fill him in? Meaning Kipper
AH: yeah - he was doing shots last night (which is a first in a very long time.... maybe since australia?) anyways, that plus finding all that coke last week- makes me really understand that is really what the fighting is about. its been so bad lately and I've just been blaming myself so much. but with the use, its unsurprising ..... it's no coincidence, i can say that. anyway, we're still on the island. he got really fucked up last night and it was a mess. basically, we were supposed to come home today but I'm not sure anymore. our plane is here but J is sleeping something off that no one has been able to really wake him up from so we probably won't leave until tmrw. kipper really needs to see him bad .... thanks for checking in
December 31, 2015– Multiple audio snippets
During the recent trial, Heard’s team provided a snippet of an audio recording from December 31st, 2015, in which Heard accuses Depp of putting his cigarettes out on her. Depp responds by calling her a “fat ass.”
In another snipper, Heard can be heard saying “couch” repeatedly. Depp has claimed she was ordering him to sit on the couch. Heard says that the word, “couch,” was used as a safe-word by the couple to signify that they wanted a truce in an argument.
Heard claims everything Depp has said in a preceding argument has been “nasty and provoking and mean-spirited.” She then accuses him of throwing his cigarette onto her.
In the third snippet, Depp and Heard discuss an alleged incident of Heard “dumping” Depp. She accuses him of “beat[ing] the shit out of [her].”
January 4, 2016– Audio snippet
Multiple audio snippets from a fight on January 4th, 2016, were used in the US defamation trial.
They are all relatively short and feature the couple arguing about “secret recordings” of one-another, how they each attempt to escalate or de-escalate fights, and Heard’s reluctance to let Depp leave certain situations.
It is also brought up that Heard is “louder” in conflicts but she argues that Depp “provokes” arguments and has been more physically violent. She says,
“[M]y family, my friends, everyone around me, saw all the bruises and broken blood vessel under my eye, the bruises on my head, the missing chunks of hair, the split lip, the black eye, the swollen nose, all that shit, because you’re stronger. It does not mean… because they heard me that I’m somehow more responsible. It just means they heard me because I yell in a fight. You do provoke, I yell. It doesn’t mean I’m more responsible or badder. However, I am exposed via that the distance between Café Cabrones and the house is significant, and I know… that that does not mean that they got an accurate representation of our fight. But if you told them stuff, great, cool, thanks for exposing me. As I said to you before, don’t do it again unless you want me to really also tell them my side of things, because trust me, you know… I have a different side than you. And if I show them pictures and stuff, I’m sure they’ll have an even more different side. And in fact if I tell them even more stuff, they’ll have an even more clear picture of what I think of both sides.”
Depp then accuses Heard of throwing a “mineral spirits” can at his face.
January 13, 2016– Issues remain “fixed”
On January 13th, Cowan remarked on the seemingly stagnant nature of Depp and Heard’s relationship, writing in his notes:
“Amber sees clearly all the built-in difficulties with this relationship. [Heard’s] issues with [Depp] remain fixed (jealousy, feeling threatened by her work, wanting to do whatever drugs he chooses to use, wanting to spend time at the studio doing music with his band, etc) Amber's issues also remain fixed (need for him being [illegible], accepting her career, timely communication, willingness to talk, etc). [Heard] is sad that he wants to spend so much time away.”
Unknown date, likely around beginning of 2016– Audio recording of fight
Heard is concerned about Depp’s seeming commitment to marriage counseling which they started toward the end of 2015
Depp feels like Heard is being accusatory when she asks him if he’s going to make the counseling a priority
Depp accuses Heard of having “control issues” which she feels is a judgemental statement and expresses that him saying this has hurt her feelings
They continue arguing about Depp’s perception of Heard’s control issues and Heard says it is upsetting her that he is continuing to say something that she’s told him hurts her; Depp says he’s trying to help by being honest
Heard goes in and out of room, at times Depp can be heard snoring while a TV plays in the background; when Heard re-enters, she wakes Depp up
They have a conversation in which Depp says it “fucked up” his son, Jack, when Heard screamed after Depp accidentally spilled wine on her in a past incident
Heard says she “jumped up and screamed” because Depp had spilled wine on her three times in a row
After leaving the room and returning, Heard asks Depp if he’s been acting differently toward her because his mother is sick
she says she feels like he doesn’t like her anymore but wonders if this is just a result of his stress from dealing with his mom’s declining health
Unknown date, also likely at beginning of 2016– Another audio recording of fight
Heard accuses Depp of abandoning her every time he gets upset
Depp seems to fall asleep and wakes up talking about the Grammy’s
Heard asks Depp to call her an Uber and says she doesn’t want to ride with Depp’s security guard
They have a back-and-forth where Heard tells Depp to “love [her] back”
Later Depp tells Heard the Uber has arrived but she says it isn’t there; they have a short spat about this and he calls his team again for another Uber
They have an argument and trade insults
Heard calls Depp a “fucking arrogant dickhead,” a “cocksucker,” and a “parasite”
Depp calls Heard a “fucking filthy whore,” then tells her to stop bringing men into his house and says he doesn’t want “[her] kind of woman”
Heard tells Depp to suck a dick
Depp tells Heard to have a baby with a producer who can “do things [for] her”
Heard tells Depp to “call Rochelle”
Depp implies Heard got her career from “getting [her] tits out” and calls her a “spoiled brat”
They insult each other’s professional projects and Depp tells Heard to “go back to stripping”
Heard calls Depp a “washed-up piece of shit”
Heard accuses Depp of making her take the blame for the incident with the couples’ dogs in Australia
Heard takes a sip out of Depp’s wine which causes more back-and-forth between the two
Heard says she hopes Depp’s son, Jack, learns how to be a man from his step-father instead of Depp
Heard leaves the room for a little while
Depp falls asleep again, then wakes up talking about James Dean/James Brown getting booed off a stage
Heard tries to figure out what he’s talking about and says she loves him
Mid-to-late January 2016– Amber trying to stay focused
On January 20th, Cowan wrote in his notes that Heard was “trying to stay focused and calm despite her impulse to make pleas for [Depp] to be different and resume the relationship.”
On January 30th, he stated that although Heard was “sad and uncertain” about the future, she “clearly [understood] this to be an unhealthy relationship.”
February 10, 2016– Johnny's text to bodyguard
Seemingly regarding Heard, Depp sent the following text message to his bodyguard Malcolm Connolly on February 10th, 2016:
“Thanks, dear Mal… I’m just at the point where I feel like I’m gonna puke all the time… Once I get this shit moving and get meself out of her level of shit… I will never mention this cunts name again!!! EVER AGAIN!!! And the 1st price that asks about her, gets a warning… Should the single celled prick decide to push it??? He NEVER forgets me and will always be remembered throughout his life as the guy that got his fucking nose bit off, chewed up and swallowed by Johnny Depp!! While I do have some civilized bones in my body, just on a matter of principle, I must force him to watch me fulfill this promise of mangling his motherfucker of a beezer!!!
Love you…
X.”
February 22, 2016– Continued contact
On February 22nd, Cowan noted that Heard was having “continued contact” with Depp though there were “no resolutions” in the relationship. Cowan stated that Depp had “[no] willingness to resume some sort of therapy.” He continued:
“My task is to continue encouraging her to look at the realities (not the wishful fantasies) of the relationship – to see it as fixed. Still won't let it go even though she is increasingly realistic about the facts.”
February 24, 2016– Kitchen video
On February 24th, Heard took a video of Depp exhibiting anger in the couples’ kitchen. He does not strike Heard on camera, however, he slams cupboards, yells at Heard, and appears to be breaking glass from audio heard in the video.
It’s unclear what prompted this outburst, though Depp is likely under the influence of alcohol as viewers can see him pouring himself a large glass of wine.
Depp was not aware he was on camera when the recording began.
Unknown date, likely around end of the relationship– Audio snippets
Multiple clips from an unknown date capture Depp and Heard arguing.
Depp yells at Heard in the clips, calls her a “stupid fuck,” and at some point appears to be puking.
The context for the clips is unclear.
April 5, 2016– Text to Connolly
On April 5th, Depp sent a text to his bodyguard Malcolm Connolly, writing: “Please get her out of this room NOW!!! She’s struck me about 10 times ... Can’t take any more!!”
It’s unclear what prompted this message but Depp is presumably referring to Heard.
April 20, 2016– Johnny's text to Amber
On April 20th, Depp sent a text message to Heard, writing, “I’ve been by your side, for every drama, illness and ugly situation.!!! How do you think the goddam felony charges went away???”
It’s believed that Depp was referring to “charges” surrounding a 2015 fiasco involving the couple’s dogs, during which Heard was at risk of receiving a prison sentence for traveling with the pets without a required permit.
April 21, 2016– Incident on Amber's birthday
Amber’s account: A fight ensued after Depp arrived at Heard’s birthday party significantly late.
Depp was noticeably intoxicated from alcohol and high on other substances as well.
Depp escalated the argument to becoming physically violent.
Johnny’s account: A fight ensued after Depp arrived at Heard’s birthday party about two hours late due to a business meeting that Heard had been informed about.
Due to Heard’s intense fear of abandonment, she lashed out at Depp despite receiving prior warning that he would be late for the party, and became violent.
Depp was not intoxicated on this night.
He eventually contacted his bodyguard, Sean Bett, to pick him up from Heard’s home.
Other accounts
Erin Falati(nurse for Amber Heard, hired by Johnny Depp): In Falati’s notes from the evening, she wrote that prior to Depp’s arrival at the party, Heard appeared “irritable and upset” and was angry with Depp for being late. Falati further wrote:
“[Heard] states, ‘I can't believe he… isn't here yet.’ RN attempted to assist [Heard] with processing feelings, but [Heard] declines stating, ‘he keeps saying he… is on his way, but he still hasn't shown up.’”
According to Falati, Depp arrived around 10:15 pm. She reported that Depp was “coherent, oriented and sociable” and was affectionate towards Heard, though the couple did display some tension regarding Heard’s Coachella plans for the following day. Falati wrote:
“She states she wants [Depp] to drive to Coachella with her for a birthday dinner there, and then he will return to Los Angeles. Upon this statement, [Depp] states, ‘Yeah, she wants me to drive all the way there just to have dinner. That really makes sense.’ [Heard and Depp] appeared to be cordial but irritated.”
The next day, Falati wrote that Heard texted hey, saying, “I had a long fucked up night.” Heard apparently expressed concern that her marriage to Depp was “over.”
Kristina Sexton (Amber Heard’s acting coach and friend): Depp arrived about 2-3 hours later than Sexton. He was clearly intoxicated, his speech was slurred and he could not hold himself up properly.
Edward White: White was with Depp at the business meeting which preceded Depp’s arrival to Heard’s party.
The meeting started around 7:30pm and lasted between 1.5 to 2 hours. While with him, White did not notice anything that would indicate Depp was intoxicated. They discussed a number of “significant financial and business matters,” to which Depp gave his “full and undivided attention.” White does not believe Depp would have been able to participate in the meeting “in the manner that he did” while being impaired in any way.
Once the meeting was finished, White believes Depp headed home immediately to minimzie his lateness to Heard’s party.
Sean Bett (bodyguard for Johnny Depp): Bett saw injuries to Depp’s face upon picking him up from Amber’s home after the incident.
Starling Jenkins III (bodyguard for Johnny Depp): Jenkins drove Heard and her friends to Coachella the following day.
When Jenkins first arrived at the home in the morning to pick Heard and her friends up, Heard was using the Find My iPhone app to locate Depp’s phone after she’d thrown it over a balcony along with his wallet.
Jenkins eventually retrieved the phone from a homeless man.
Jenkins did not see any injuries to Heard and she did not mention any domestic abuse during the trip.
Raquel Pennington (friend of Amber Heard): Heard told Pennington about the fight during their Coachella trip.
She was told that Heard articulated to Depp that she’d been upset about him being late to her party and the argument escalated when Depp became angry.
Heard also told Pennington that she and Depp both threw each other’s phones out a window.
Josh Drew (friend of Amber Heard and husband of Raquel Pennington [at the time]): Depp came to Head’s party late and was obviously intoxicated. He “put on a show” for everyone.
Other information to consider
Wrongfully dated photo submitted by Johnny’s team: In the UK trial, Depp’s team submitted the following photo of his alleged injuries from the incident:
It was then pointed out, however, that the photo’s meta-data shows that it was taken on March 23, 2015, and therefore could not have followed Heard’s birthday party.
It appears the photo was actually taken following the stair incident, listed above.
April 22, 2016– Boo's/Amber's poop
Following the fight after Heard’s birthday party, Hilda Vargas, Depp’s housekeeper, found a pile of poop on top of the couple’s bed. Vargas took a photo:
Heard has claimed that the couple’s dog, Boo, was the one to poop in the bed. Boo had known problems with her bowel control and had pooped in bed with the couple present on at least one prior occasion (see October 29th, 2014 text from Heard listed above).
Vargas believes the bed was too high off the ground for Boo to reach and the size of the poop was too large for Boo to leave since she is a small Yorkshire terrier.
Vargas texted the photo to Kevin Murphy who then texted it to Sean Bett who then showed it to Depp.
Depp claimed this incident persuaded him to finally divorce Heard. He believes that Heard or one of her friends left the feces as an act of revenge against him for their fight the night prior.
Murphy claims that Heard referred to the incident as a “harmless prank,” however Heard contests that this was ever said.
Heard asserts that she was not responsible for the incident and argues that since Depp had left the night of the birthday party to stay at another property, there would have been no point in soiling a bed she knew he would not be sleeping in.
May 20, 2016– Death of Johnny's mom
May 21, 2016– Final physical fight
Amber’s account: After not seeing Depp since her birthday party a month prior, the couple was officially moving to separate.
Depp came to one of his penthouses to get some things. Heard decided to meet him there so they could talk.
When Depp arrived, he was drunk, high, and still angry about the incident with the feces on the bed which Heard informed him she was not responsible for. Depp then told her that Murphy had reported her calling the incident a “harmless prank,” and she called Murphy to confront him.
As the argument continued, Heard became concerned for her safety and texted her friend Raquel Pennington to come over.
Depp was convinced that Heard’s friend iO Tillet Wright had left the poop. Heard called Wright and placed him on speaker phone. Wright called the accusation “ridiculous,” after which Depp became enraged, screamed insults at Wright, then threw the phone to the ground and went upstairs.
When Depp returned, Heard was still on the phone with Wright. Depp then grabbed the phone again and threw it at Heard’s face.
After throwing the phone, Depp grabbed Heard by the hair. She yelled “call 911” in hopes that Wright would hear.
Wright called the police from New York and gave them Heard’s location in California.
Penington arrived on the scene shortly after. Heard managed to free herself from Depp’s grasp and ran to the other side of the room. Depp ran after her, however, Penington got between the two and put her arms out to separate them.
Depp then grabbed Pennington’s arms and began shouting at her.
Heard collapsed onto a couch.
Depp grabbed a bottle of wine and took swigs out of it while smashing various things in the apartment.
Jerry Judge and Sean Bett, two of Depp’s bodyguards, then came onto the scene. Heard believes that they had been staying in a separate apartment while she and Depp argued. Heard yelled at them to help her and said she would call the police, after which the guards led Depp out of the room.
As he left, Heard could hear Depp damaging other things in the apartment as well as the neighboring apartment where some of Heard’s possessions were stored.
Pennington’s then-fiance, Josh Drew, arrived a little later and took photos of the damage in the apartment as well as the injuries to Heard’s face. He was accompanied by another woman name Elizabeth Martz.
Two police officers arrived around 9pm. Heard decided not to make a statement as she did not want information about the dispute leaked to the media.
Later, around 10:28pm, two different officers arrived and briefly walked through the apartment. Heard, Martz, Drew, and Pennington had already cleaned up a majority of the damage.
Photos from May 22:
Photos from May 27:
Photos from May 28:
Johnny’s account: When Depp arrived at the apartment, he was still angry about the incident involving the feces, however, he did not assault Heard at any point. He came to the apartment to collect some things and inform Heard that he would be filing for divorce.
Heard then called Wright and began talking loudly on the phone in mocking and goading terms about the defecation incident.
Heard did text Pennington to come over in the midst of their argument, but this was all a part of Heard’s hoax. Pennington was actually in the home already, waiting for Heard to text her and stage their set-up.
When Pennington entered the room, Depp was about 20 feet away from Heard. At this point, Heard began yelling, causing Depp’s bodyguards to enter the room. When they arrived, Heard and Pennington attempted to feign crying. Heard then started saying things such as, “You better not ever hit me again,” despite the fact that he had not hit her.
Heard created the scene as a way to frame Depp for abuse. She and her friends also created the damage within the home as it appears in Heard’s photographs since Depp had not damaged the apartment during his visit.
Footage of Depp in the building’s elevator shows him neither noticeably inebriated nor holding a bottle of wine:
Other accounts
Raquel Pennington (friend of Amber Heard): Pennington was with Heard earlier in the day when Heard got a text from Depp saying he was going to get some things from the penthouse he and Heard had shared. Heard decided she was going to meet him at the apartment and talk to him. Pennington was concerned about this plan but Heard assured her that she would communicate with her throughout the night to ensure her safety.
Around 8:06pm, Heard texted Pennington and told her to come to the apartment right away.
When Pennington arrived, she could hear Johnny yelling loudly through the door, but forgot her keys and had to go back to the neighboring apartment she’d been staying in.
Pennington did not see Depp’s bodyguards in the hallway.
When she entered the premises, Heard was holding her face and head in her hands as Depp screamed at her. They were about 12 feet apart.
Heard yelled to Pennington to call for help, saying that Depp had hit her with a phone. Depp responded something along the lines of, “She’s a fucking liar. Get the fuck out of here. Oh, poor her. A little phone hit you. Poor fucking you. Oh, oh, so sorry.”
Depp began walking toward Heard, prompting Pennington to get between the two of them. He continued yelling and mentioned a DNA test, likely referring to the feces he believed had been left by Heard or her friends.
Eventually, Depp’s bodyguards entered the room. Depp then said, “This fucking bitch. She thinks that I hit her. She’s fucking insane.”
Heard threatened to call the police while Depp continued to deny any physical violence had occurred and said he had just “tossed” a phone.
Depp’s bodyguard, Judge, escorted him out of the room.
Depp continued smashing things in the apartment with a wine bottle in his hand. His security did nothing but stand behind him. No effort was made to restrain him and no acknowledgment was made of the violence.
Pennington and Heard went back to another penthouse owned by Depp while Pennington’s husband, Drew, checked the others to ensure Depp had left.
After that, Pennington checked the apartment Depp and Heard had been in as well as the apartment she and Drew had been living in (both owned by Depp). She discovered broken belongings, including Pennington’s beads that had been thrown against a wall. Heard’s belongings had been ransacked, framed photos had been smashed, and there was broken glass on the floor.
Heard had an injury to her right eye as a result of the phone being thrown at her. There was redness and swelling. Pennington and Drew took photos of Heard’s injuries and the property damage.
Two police officers appeared on the scene, a man and a woman. They saw the damage in the apartment but Heard declined to make a statement.
Later, two other officers arrived. They informed them that the first pair of officers had already swept the scene and again declined to make a statement.
Josh Drew (friend of Amber Heard, husband of Raquel Pennington [at the time]): On his way to the scene, Drew, Depp, and Elizabeth Martz (who was with Drew, but did not know Depp) saw each other. Depp yelled expletives at Drew before leaving the property with his bodyguards.
Drew came to the apartment shortly after Pennington and Heard retreated to a separate apartment.
When Drew located Heard and Pennington, Heard was visibly shaken.
Depp had already left and Drew dead-locked the door.
Heard still had Depp’s cellphone which he had thrown at her. 5 minutes later, Judge called the phone and said Depp had left it at the apartment.
Drew returned it to Judge downstairs. Judge asked if Heard was OK, to which Drew said something along the lines of, “Are you fucking kidding me? He beat the shit out of her and you guys stood by and watched it.” Judge then said that it was not his business and something along the lines of, “They’re husband and wife. He barely touched her.” Drew was dismissive of these comments.
Drew met with the police about 15 minutes later and showed them the property damage around the apartments.
After the police officers left, he and Pennington took photos of the damage. The group then cleaned up the broken glass so the dogs wouldn’t get hurt.
Later, Drew greeted the second pair of police officers.
Elizabeth Martz (unclear association, likely friend of Amber Heard):
Martz and Drew briefly crossed paths with Depp, who was flailing around with a big bottle of wine and yelling. He was visibly intoxicated.
When Martz arrived on the scene, she noticed the damage done to the apartment, specifically wine spilled on the floor. Heard’s face was red, puffy, and swollen.
Whitney Henriquez (sister of Amber Heard): Henriquez saw Heard the following day. Heard’s eye was bruised and swollen, her lip was busted open and a chunk of her hair was missing.
iO Tillet Wright (friend of Amber Heard): At 8pm, Heard texted Wright and asked him to call her, which he did.
Heard explained that Depp was convinced that he and Heard had defecated in his bed as a prank. Wright started laughing at the absurdity of the situation, which Depp heard because the phone was on speaker. Depp then walked away, as Wright was told by Heard.
Wright asked Heard why she was in the same apartment as the man who’d physically assaulted her in the past. Heard explained that Depp’s mother had died and she was worried about him, and also that he needed some items from the house before going on tour with his band.
Wright then heard Depp coming back down the stairs. He picked up the phone and started yelling expletives at Wright. Over speakerphone, Wright told Heard that she should get out of the house. Wright then heard the phone being thrown.
Heard picked the phone back up and explained that Depp had thrown it directly at her face.
Wright then heard Depp say, “Oh you think I hit you? What if I pull your hair back?” The phone then dropped.
Wright heard Heard shriek and yell at him to call 911. He hung up and texted Pennington to tell her that she needed to immediately go to the apartment Depp and Head were in.
Sean Bett (bodyguard of Johnny Depp): Judge and Bett had gone with Depp to the apartment building.
Depp was sober.
While Depp went into the apartment and spoke with Heard, Judge and Bett stayed outside in the hallway. Some time later, they heard yelling and entered the apartment.
Depp and Heard were about 20 feet away from each other.
Heard was wearing little or no make-up, her skin was quite pale and she had no red marks or evidence of any bruises or abrasions to her face or body.
Bett did not notice any smashed glass or broken bottles in the apartment.
Bett also never saw Pennington enter the apartment.
Jerry Judge (bodyguard of Johnny Depp): Judge and Bett had gone with Depp to the apartment building.
Depp was sober.
While Depp went into the apartment and spoke with Heard, Judge and Bett stayed outside in the hallway. About 30 minutes later, they heard yelling and entered the apartment.
Heard was screaming at Depp, who was about 10 feet away from her.
Judge encouraged Depp to leave.
He did not see Depp damage anything in the apartment, nor did he see any marks or injuries on Heard’s face or body.
Judge also never saw Pennington enter the apartment and he never heard Heard accuse Depp of throwing a phone at her or threaten to call the police.
Kevin Murphy (estate manager for Johnny Depp): Murphy received a call from Depp and Heard on May 21st during which the couple was on speaker phone. Depp asked him to repeat what he’d said about Heard admitting to leaving the feces on the bed as a “harmless prank.”
When Murphy repeated the claim, Heard called him a “fucking liar” multiple times. Depp could be heard on the phone telling Heard to not speak to Murphy that way and to “be respectful.”
Heard would not stop yelling, prompting Murphy to hang up the phone. He received multiple phone calls from the same phone number immediately afterward but did not answer.
Later that night, Depp called Murphy to apologize.
Depp seemed sober, lucid, and calm, however tired and sad.
First police officers to arrive at the scene: When the two officers arrived, Heard did not appear to have any sign of injury to her face. There was redness on her cheeks, but this was attributed to crying.
The apartment was well-lit and there did not appear to be any damage and no broken glass.
Samantha McMillen (stylist for Johnny Depp): McMillan saw Heard on May 24th, 3 days after the alleged fight. Heard was not wearing make-up and there were no visible marks, bruises, cuts, or injuries to her face or any other part of her body.
Hilda Vargas (housekeeper of Johnny Depp): Vargas also saw Heard on May 24th. Her face was pale and she did not appear to be wearing any makeup. Vargas saw no bruises or marks of any kind.
Cornelius Harrell (concierge at building of penthouses owned by Johnny Depp): Harrell was thedoorman on duty on May 22nd, the day after the alleged fight.
Heard came to the front desk at about 1pm. She appeared to be wearing minimal or no makeup and did not have any noticeable bruises, cuts, swelling, red marks, or any other injuries of any kind on her face or body.
Trinity Esparza (concierge at building of penthouses owned by Johnny Depp): Esparza was working at the front desk of the building on May 23rd, 24th, and 25th and saw Heard pass through the lobby multiple times.
At no time did Heard have any noticeable injury to her face. Heard only rarely wore make-up.
Alejandro Romero (concierge at building of penthouses owned by Johnny Depp): Romero was working at the front desk of the building on May 25th, when he had a brief conversation with Heard.
Heard was standing about 3 feet away from him and he did not notice any bruises, cuts, swelling, red marks, or any other injuries of any kind to her face.
Heard then asked Romero to search the penthouse to make sure that no one was there and that it was safe. She and Pennington accompanied him while he searched for about an hour.
Isaac Baruch (friend of Johnny Depp and resident of an apartment owned by Depp): On the night of the incident, Baruch entered the building of the penthouses around 9:30pm. In the hallway, he noticed that there was broken glass on the floor from a broken sconce that hung on the wall and a large puddle of spilled wine directly in front of Pennington and Drew’s door. There was also wine splashed on the walls.
Drew then opened the door of the apartment and stepped out far enough to speak with Baruch but did not open the door wide enough for him to see inside the apartment. When Baruch asked what happened with the wine, Drew replied something to the effect of, “We kind of had a rough night.” He looked stressed and worried.
Baruch said goodbye after Drew declined an offer for assistance and went back to his apartment.
Baruch saw Heard on May 22nd. She told him that Depp had thrown a phone at her face and pointed to the area that she alleges the phone hit her. Baruch was about 12 inches from Heard’s face and did not see any injury. Heard did not seem to be wearing any makeup at this time of day that could cover any marks or swelling. In the days following this event, Baruch saw Heard a few more times and still did not see any injuries to her face.
Laurel Anderson (couples’ therapist for Johnny and Amber from 2015): In notes from June and July, Anderson recorded her knowledge of the fight between Depp and Heard as told to her by Heard. She wrote that Depp had “[accosted iO] on [the] phone,” scared Heard, threw a phone at Heard, and held Heard’s hair until Pennington stepped in. Heard told Anderson that Depp “hit [her]… for years.”
Other information to consider
Amber’s makeup: Heard claims that whenever she left the house, she wore makeup for the chance that she would be photographed.
On May 24th, when Vargas and McMillen saw her, Heard says she was wearing makeup.
During cross-examination in the US trial, Heard’s attorney questioned Baruch about his knowledge of Heard’s makeup skills and routine. Baruch said he’d seen Heard’s makeup being applied by professional makeup artists prior to events but had not seen Heard apply her own makeup, nor did he know what products she used. Heard’s attorney used this information to imply that Baruch may have not been able to tell if Heard was or wasn’t wearing makeup on an average day.
Heard further claimed that a friend of hers told her to put arnica cream on her face to alleviate the bruising and swelling.
In his testimony, Romero appeared to be confused by the dates in which events took place and may therefore have seen Heard on a different day than he is remembering.
Harrell said during his testimony that he and Heard spoke for about 8 minutes in total on May 22nd, however, security footage shows them speaking for a little over 2 minutes, meaning his recollection of events is also slightly distorted compared to the objective facts (as is to be expected since his testimony along with the other witnesses took place years after the alleged incident occurred).
Amber’s texts to multiple parties: On May 21st, after Depp left the apartment, Heard had the following exchange with Melanie Inglesis:
MI: u ok babe?
AH: No. Johnny came over ‘to talk’. His mom just died. Then he went sideways. Convinced of some CRAZY shit. Beat on me. Cops were called. They just left. Filing a restraining order. Divorce goes through on Monday. My face looks stupid. Bad night.
MI: u need us to come over now?!
And get you
AH: cops came back. it’s okay.
Rock and josh are helping me.
all okay
sorry I couldn’t communicate earlier.
i’ll text you tomorow if that’s ok
MI: I love you
With Murphy, Heard had a conversation via text in regards to the accusation of her defecating on hers and Depp’s shared bed:
AH: I am shocked. What have I ever done to you?
AH: How could you say that?
AH: I never expected such a thing from you. I never told you I had anything to do with it. I never said anything like that to you. And you know it. I just can’t understand what you have against me that would make you lie against me ini such a way. I don’t understand Kevin. I really don’t.
KM: Look. First of all… I did not even go directly to J about our conversation. He was told by someone else and then he questioned me days later so I had to answer. I had no knowledge of any of your’s and J’s conversations about the incident so it doesn’t even make sense for me to just make something up. Furthermore, at the time, I didn’t even think it was a big deal that it was being described as a prank. If I was going to fabricate something it would certainly be better than that? I merely answered his questions without any malice or intention of hurting you or him for that matter.
AH: You literally told johnny, in front of me, that I told you it was a prank!! And now you want to explain?!? How could you?! That was a complete lie – and you know it. You can not look me in the eye and tell me we had that conversation. I can’t believe you. What did I ever do to you?
Heard also sent a picture of her alleged injuries to her parents writing, “I think I’m done ‘being there’ for Johnny, wouldn’t you agree ‘mom and dad’?”
In a group text with the three of them on May 22nd, the conversation continued:
AH: I didn’t even raise my voice to him. Let alone a finger.
I called 911
Rocky rushed in because she heard me screaming.
DH: So he came to the penthouse and you were there had you arranged to meet there and then you got into a fight? I just don’t understand
AH: I called him again and said I was ready to talk. He was fucked up and delusional. Claiming some ridiculous shit I had no clue of or how to make sense of. Then he started hitting me with the phone and threw me down and hit me in the head. That’s when rocky and then Josh rushed in. Cops came right after he split. That’s all you need to know. If you text him or involve yourself anymore in his life I will never speak to you guys again. Dad either you understand that and respect that or you don’t. But if you go against my wishes I will never speak to you again.
AH: It took 20 mins. He was crazy. I didn’t even [yell]. More or less raise a finger to him. Which shouldn’t matter regardless. I am half his size. I have to file a restraining order and then official divorce on Monday.
….
AH: Tell dad to stop play best friends with j.
…
AH: I’m filing a restraining order tomorrow. Which means it’s public as of tomorrow
The lawyer said that’s only thing I can do
To her ex, Tasya Van Ree, Heard wrote, “Shit got bad last night. Cops were called. I [filed] a [restraining] order … The whole thing.”
She sent a text to Nurse Falati as well, saying,
“…he was completely delusional. Hit me in the face several times, while on the phone to iO. [He] had dialled the cops, restraining order will be filed in the am. Cops just left (Long after he did of course) Rocky and Josh were here too. It was horrible.”
Heard sent a text to her friend Savannah McMillan (not to be confused with Samantha McMillan), saying “Sav! Shit is bad but I’m OK. Please don’t text Rocky or anyone. It’s OK. I’ll explain later.”
Heard also had a conversation with Elon Musk, under the name “Rocketman” in her phone’s contact list, whom she’d apparently become close with some time before the May 21st incident:
AH: For such a smart man… I would think you wouldn’t need to investigate any further than your last text to me before such radio silence commenced
EM: Well, I’m just glad you’re ok. You talked about J being violent in the past and still having keys to the apartment, so I thought something might have happened.
AH: It did. But that’s irrelevant.
I had the locks changed
AH: Legal divorce filing tomorrow. Restraining order - all that.
EM: Wtf!? But you’re ok, right? Is there anything I can do?
EM: I’m happy to engage 24/7 security for you, if you’d like. It be utterly confidential.
AH: All that is irrelevant to why I stopped talking to you
EM: I know. And the offer would stand even if you never wanted to see me again.
EM: Anyway, sorry for being an idiot. The radio silence hurt a log. It only matters because I really like you.
AH: Yeah, hence why I was so affected by your text the other night
On May 22nd, Heard sent a message to Josh Drew regarding the prior night. They had the following exchange:
AH: Hey Josh, I hope you and Rocky got some sleep last night. I don’t want to bother her on her big day but the lawyers asking for brief statements from you guys, as witnesses so that she can file the appropriate way for a restraining order ... Is there any way that you could just write a brief statement this would happen ... Doesn’t have to be fancy or even well-written, nothing like that just a brief play-by-play of what you saw...
JDrew: No problem sweetheart. Were picking up right now, I'll be back by 10 to be there with you for the locksmith. I'll write something up then, and I'll help her out later this evening
How are you doing? Need anything?
AH: thank you so much
I'm okay. Just a little shaken up
Heard also had a conversation with Wright:
iOTW: Are you OK? Did he get arrested? Are you taking out a restraining order?
AH: Yes restraining order. They didn’t arrest him because I didn’t make a statement.
iOTW: Good!! That’s gonna be the only thing that will get him arrested next time
AH: They said if I did they would be obliged to go arrest him.
iOTW: Why didn’t you
AH: Because it would have gone straight to tmz ... which will happen on Monday anyway
iOTW: How are you feeling
AH: I’m suffering.
In a brief conversation with Amanda de Cadenet, Heard’s friend at the time, de Cadenet suggested that Heard use arnica cream on her face to reduce swelling.
Johnny’s texts to Amber: After leaving the apartment, Depp sent Heard this message:
“That was it. The last encounter forever. You were already ready to strike!!! Why did I even come there in the 1st place?? To be yelled at by you!!! I’m an idiot. PH5 is Rocky’s studio?? You are shameless ... I tried to make it work and you just turned more and more into a spoiled brat. All you wanted was to make me fucking miserable. Well I’m finally there. I’ll never be able to understand how I fell in love with you ... You’re not her. I loved you more than anything ... I did everything I could. But you never fucking loved me ... I hope our divorce goes as quickly as possible and that it is as painless as possible. So sorry you were as unhappy with me as you were ... obviously the purity of whatever was, has been gone for a long time. I will miss the moments of beauty and truth ... Goodbye Amber ... What the fuck was I thinking??? I wish you all you merit ... The former Him”
The two had a continued conversation the following day.
Suspicious circumstances of Laura Divinere’s (friend of Amber Heard) testimony: Laura Divenere, an interior designer who’d been working with Heard around the time of the May 21st incident, was contacted by Depp’s attorneys prior to the defamation trial in the UK.
Divenere gave a statement claiming she hadn’t seen Heard with any visible injuries around the end of May, however, in cross-examination, claimed she’d felt pressured by Depp’s attorney, Adam Waldman, to make her statement.
In March of 2020, she made the following statement to the court: “In retrospect where I may have thought I was unduly pressured to write and sign my declaration I now believe that was not the case.”
Documents from the case read, “In my view her vacillation severely undermines the weight which I can give to her evidence.”
In a recorded phone call with Heard (below), Divenere described coercive tactics used by Depp’s team to retrieve her statement.
Problems with testifying police officers’ accounts: While the first two officers to arrive on the scene testified in court that they did not see any damage in the apartment, nor did they notice any visible injuries on Heard’s face, Justice Nicol in the UK trial found reason to doubt the accuracy of the officers’ accounts.
Neither of the officers at the scene took contemporaneous notes, meaning they have no documentation describing their encounter with Heard on the night of their visit. The officers’ testimony is made from memory alone, however, they did not know the names of the parties involved upon arrival, nor did anyone at the scene give the officers any identifying details.
In their initial statements in the UK, the officers stated that they believed they had been in the apartment for approximately 30-60 minutes total. Security footage from the night showed, however, that they had been in the apartment for about15 minutes.
Their testimony, therefore, was based upon their memory of an incident that happened 4-6 years prior (4 for the UK trial, 6 in the US), lasted 15 minutes, and (as far as they knew at the time) did not involve any public figures or individuals of note.
It is doubtful that their memories of the event are 100% accurate.
Body-cam footage of apartment and metadata on photos: Depp’s team presented the body-cam footage of the second pair of officers as evidence to Depp’s defense (this footage was not used in the UK trial so it’s not known if this would have swayed Justice Nicol’s impression on the first pair of officers’ testimony).
The footage does not show much, if any, of the damage captured in the photos Heard’s team presented as evidence of Depp’s destruction of property.
Depp’s team has used this to support their claim that Heard and her friends created the damage themselves, however, security footage from the scene shows the officers arriving around 10:28pm, while metadata from Heard’s photos of the apartment are timestamped between 9:25-9:31pm.
The first pair of officers left the scene at 9:19pm. If we assume that Depp is correct in his assertion that Heard and her friends created the damage themselves to photograph and frame him for the incident, and the first pair of officers were also correct when they testified to there being no property damage present while they were on the scene, Heard and her friends would have had from 9:19pm until 10:28pm to create the damage within the photos, take all the photos, then clean everything up (while Drew was also briefly interrupted by his short talk with Baruch around 9:30pm).
May 22, 2016– James Franco visits Amber
In footage from the building Heard had been staying in, she can be seen standing close to James Franco. Though the clip is short, the two appear physically affectionate.
Depp has asserted that this is evidence of Heard’s affair with Franco which he had accused her of previously during their marriage and Heard denied.
May 22-23, 2016 Text exchange between Amber and Johnny
On May 22nd until around 2:45am the following day, Depp and Heard had the following conversation via text message (“JD/SD” indicates an instance in which Depp was texting from the phone of his assistant, Stephen Deuters):
JD: Just let me know when you have a minute And I’ll give you a call. ... Nothing I have to say to you should elicit anything, but a sense of ease. All my love and profound apologies ... J.
AH: Yes but I’m scared and sad and want to be alone and in a quiet place to talk.
Are you okay if I wait til I get home to call??
I know you’re busy so please tell me if that’s okay??
I can text you when I’m there
AH: Is that ok?
JD: Whenever you feel like it… I’m sad, scared and i am broken, my sweet Slim…
JD: i want you happy. i have ZERO harsh feelings… i am clear and i am me. the me that you once loved… we can cure one another of this constant misery born of love…
JD/SD: Sorry if I was a bit ... Please know that my hurt towards you is over ... My apologies are eternal and belong to you!!! Solid.
AH: I hope you got my message… I called you back
I’m not quite sure what your last text meant, if I’m being honest
I don’t know what to say or do or think
All I know, [I’ve] never felt so much love, pain or grief in my life…
You fell asleep earlier while we were talking…
I checked with security to check on you to see if you were okay..
Hope you get some rest.
Can we please talk latter ?
Please call me when you can speak, okay?
With all the love my heart.
-Me
Please please call me
May 23, 2016– Amber files for divorce
On May 23rd, 2016, Heard filed for divorce from Depp citing irreconcilable differences. TMZreported on the story two days later, noting that the filing came very quickly after the death of Depp’s mother.
It was later reported that Heard was seeking $50,000 per month in spousal support.
May 26th, 2016– Stephen's text messages
On May 26th, Depp’s assistant, Deuters, sent two text messages referring to Heard and Depp’s apparent split.
The first went to Paul Bettany, Depp’s friend (for reference, “Betty Sue” is Depp’s late mother):
“That moment when everything comes home to roost and all the shit compounds itself into one monstrous steaming pile of catastrophe. Just trying to keep him upright at the moment. But at least the bitch is gone (yes I do mean Amber not the Mom). Poor Betty Sue has been on her way out for the last six months. It was a relief to, at most of all herself.”
Deuters also sent a text message to himself, writing, “Sociopathic show pony. Machiavellian overlord. Talentless cunt. Good riddance to bad shit. (Yes I do mean Amber not the Mom, even tho she was a devil herself.)”
May 27, 2016– Amber is granted a temporary restraining order
On May 27th, Heard filed for and was granted a temporary restraining order against Depp, citing verbal and physical abuse “throughout the entirety” of their relationship.
Depp’s attorneys filed an opposing document thereafter stating:
“Amber is attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse. Her current application for a temporary restraining order along with her financial requests appears to be in response to negative media attention she received earlier this week after filing for divorce”
TMZ published the story within hours along with comments from sources close to Depp contesting Heard’s allegations of abuse, saying (as reported by TMZ without a direct quote), “[F]irst she never filed a police report, and she posted Instagram pics after the alleged beating and never showed any injury.”
Heard would later tell Depp that she hadn’t wanted to file the TRO but was led to believe by Depp’s attorneys that she, her sister, and her friends would be evicted from Depp’s penthouses following her filing for divorce. Heard’s own attorneys then, she claimed, informed her that securing a TRO was her best option to ensure she would not be evicted and Depp could not enter the premises without her consent.
Around this time, Baruch said he’d been told by Heard that she was changing the locks for three of the penthuoses in the building (likely the ones Heard, her sister, and Pennington and Drew stayed in).
May 27, 2016– Johnny's texts with Amber's parents
On the same day Heard filed for a restraining order against Depp citing physical and mental abuse, Depp had a conversation via text message with Heard’s parents regarding their separation, first with Heard’s mother, Paige:
JD: me too, darlin’... i will never understand how we got here, my love for your daughter has been constant and impenetrable!!! but, we are divorcing because i was 2 hours late for her birthday dinner, because i was in a meeting with new business manager and the bank, as my former business manager fucked me over royally... also, she knew i was going to be late!!! i texted her from the meeting... she treated me like a red-headed stepchild in front of all her friends and it only got worse when we came home, she got violent and i left, as i always do when she decides to get violent with me. her charges against me are simply not true, i DID NOT throw her phone at her!!! i was facing away from her to walk away and lobbed it over my shoulder... i had no idea that she wouldn’t just catch it, or if would land on he couch... and then, of course, rocky comes to the rescue, as if i am some goddam psycho beast, the timing is ugly, my mom passed away... amber, the love of my life, can no longer exist in me... to perjure herself against me is too far!!! i don’t deserve this, paige... but, if this is what’s happening??? this is what i must deal with, apparently she’s back with tasyafantasia. i don’t know what has ever been true, or what has been a lie. though, i miss her and, of course, stupidly, still love her with everything in my bones... i guess i just couldn’t make her smile anymore... and that is all i’ve ever wanted!!! gonna call you in a bit, if you’re okay with that... i love you, my dear paige... i miss you very much. xxx... jd
PH: It's the lawyers on both sides doing this not Amber. I heard the whole story very teary - if I could just talk to Johnny. She didn't want this. Friggin lawyers on BOTH sides!! This was not ler idea not her wishes. She was told she would be evicted and out in 30days if she did not do this
PH: Yes it was! I am sure. Her dumb lawyer possibly as the only way she would have a place to live in 30 days. She DID NOT want to do this I swear to you. The lawyers are frigging things up
JD: if she didn’t want to file a restraining order against me and send a message to the world that i am some kind of violent wife beater ...then why would she go to the courthouse with a photo of her that looks like she’s been abused??? this is my life too, what are my children and my children’s friends supposed to think??? I do not deserve this, and they do not deserve this... especially not from her.
PH: Her lawyer told her she had to and she had to today. That's why she wanted to talk to you. We didn't talk so please never bring this up. But I'll swear to you this was not her idea nor did she do it willingly or happily. She was told it was her ONLY option to not being kicked out. I'm not making excuses but that is what she believed. She did not want to do it. She felt she was betraying her only love but the lawyers said so.
PH: Please don't pass this on if you ever talk to Amber again. I love you, son
Depp then had a conversation with Heard’s father, David:
JD: how you feeling??? nah... fuck that... what drugs are they giving you?? i cannot believe what’s going on!!! Amber is calling this domestic violence!!! she submits a picture that says i threw the phone at her!!! she is putting herself in deep trouble if she continues to perjure herself... i have done nothing to deserve this!!! this is so fucking sick... i have never been charged, nor arrested for domestic violence!!! SHE HAS!!! twice, this all makes me sick to my stomach... i worshipped her and have been betrayed by the very love of my life... fuck it... she killed it. i guess i was so bad that it was fine for her to leave me and go to Coachella for 4 fucking days with all of her girlfriends and to not give her birthday to us!!! the festival and her friends were clearly more important than working things out with me... with these lies she is spewing to save her ass in the press, the truth will always catch up... and the truth will be a bitch... AND I HAVE NOT SAID A WORD!!! i have 2 witnesses who were in the room when she said that i flung the phone at her. ABSOLUTE FUCKING LIE!!! she wants a divorce, she get’s it. but the world will receive the truth and if she is caught perjuring herself(which she will), Australia could reopen their case against her to investigate whether, or not... she has filed a restraining order against me, man... cruel and unforgivable... i’ve done nothing but love her... anyway, the you have it, brother... i hope she’s happy now.”
DH: The lawyer told her she had to or she would have no place to live in 30 days
JD: that is absolute bullshit!!! HER LAWYER ASKED FOR TWO WEEKS at the downtown place... AND I SAID, “NO”!!! SHE COULD STAY THERE AS LONG AS SHE LIKED!!! WHY WOULD I FORCE HER OUT IN 2 WEEKS??? I AIN’T NO SCUMBAG!!! dude, my fucking wedding ring is still on me!!! i has not taken it off, because i love her... it is coming off now. what a fucking knife to the back, i’m so disappointed and so hurt... it’s just too much... x... later, brother...feel better!!! Jd
May 29, 2016– Doug Stanhope says Amber "blackmailed" Johny
In a guest column for The Wrap, comedian and friend of Depp, Doug Stanhope, wrote that he’d been a witness to Heard and Depp’s relationship since before they were married and believed Heard was an abusive partner toward Depp. He claimed that he watched Depp become “The Emperor [who] was being Stripped of His Clothes.”
In regards to Heard’s claims of abuse, he wrote about speaking with Depp on May 21st, prior to Depp’s encounter with Heard at the penthouse. He writes:
“[H]e opened up in the most vulnerable of ways that it was not only his [mother’s death causing his dour mood], but that Amber was now going to leave him, threatening to lie about him publicly in any and every possible duplicitous way if he didn’t agree to her terms.”
May 29, 2016– Johnny's ex defends him
In a letter obtained by TMZ, Vanessa Paradis defended Depp against the abuse allegations saying, “In all the years I have known Johnny, he has never been physically abusive with me and this looks nothing like the man I lived with for 14 wonderful years.”
May 30, 2016– Amber requests access to a medical evaluation
On the 30th of May, Heard texted nurse Lisa Beane to request access to doctor’s notes regarding her alleged injuries following her medical evaluation from the incident in December 2015. Heard wrote,
“Listen, a few months ago remember when you saw my face and so kindly follow me out to the car after I left the office to offer your advice and support?… Well as you may or may not have seen in the recent media news, now is the time when I could really use some. That time when I came in to the office, it was because of my injuries, but obviously I couldn’t say that to Monroe… Well, now, I am being called a liar and I’m wondering if there’s anyway I could get access to that particular medical evaluation ?? Even though he didn’t know what caused it, I need too prove that I had certain injuries etc…”
May 31, 2016– Amber makes a statement
Following the media’s reporting on the former couple’s legal battles, Heard’s attorneys made a statement on May 31st claiming that Heard initially did not make a statement to police following her alleged abuse in an effort to protect her privacy and Depp’s reputation.
The attorneys went on to say:
“Johnny's team has forced Amber to give a statement to the LAPD to set the record straight as to the true facts, as she cannot continue to leave herself open to the vicious false and malicious allegations that have infected the media.”
June 2016– Amber's new boyfriend
It’s believed that sometime between June and July of 2016, Heard began seeing Tesla founder Elon Musk, however, Depp has voiced suspicions that the two had been intimate during his and Heard’s marriage.
Heard and Musk later broke up around August of 2017, then briefly got back together before breaking up again in February of 2018.
Following the first break-up, Heard texted her then-friend and agent, Christian Carino, to complain about the split, to which Carino responded, “You weren’t in love with him and you told me a thousand times you were just filling space.” Heard wrote, “I hate it that yet again a man lets me fall on the spikes by myself.” Carino replied, “If you don’t like your personal life being in the press, don’t date famous men. You could stop that if you stop dating uber-famous people.”
June 1, 2016– People magazine publishes photos
Following her attorney’s May 31st statement, Heard appeared on the cover of People magazine with a photo of her bruised face following an alleged assault from Depp.
June 4, 2016– Johnny's text to Christi
Following Heard’s filing, Depp texted his sister and manager, Dembrowski, “I want her replaced on the WB film.”
This appears to be a reference to Heard’s role in Aquaman.
June 7, 2016– Last notes from Dr. Cowan
In March of 2016, Heard informed Cowan that she would not be continuing in therapy with Cowan as she could no longer afford it.
“I haven't seen Amber since March [2016]. Shortly before the news broke, she texted me that she ‘finally filed for divorce.’ From very early on Amber has known this to be an unsafe and unhealthy relationship. This final breach has been a long time coming.
During these months that Amber has been in therapy we have picked through the permanent and stationary unhealthy elements in her relationship with [Depp]– his controlling nature; jealousy and suspiciousness, addiction to drugs and alcohol, and violent and indulgent temper. Her finally acknowledging the toxicity is a healthy move on her part despite all the sturm and drang that has accompanied the filing.
I'm not convinced Amber realizes how much she is in need of being in treatment. Her call to me only followed her meeting with Dr Kipper. Kipper called me and indicated he would terminate his treatment of Amber unless she was involved in therapy (continuing to sign for her meds = being in therapy with someone). That may be motivating enough to get her here but it will not be sufficient over time.
Amber arrives today surrounded by an entourage of paparazzi. Had to close the gate. Subsequent to our session, I have received calls from the media that I have not returned nor [intend] to. Amber is now in full crisis mode and has not yet had the emotional space to process what has happened. She is surrounded by a number of lawyers and is faced with making some serious decisions i.e., does she opt to file a domestic violence complaint against [Depp]. She feels damaged by the story spun by the media – [Depp] victimized by [a] cold gold digger.
Tried to help her frame upcoming decisions that would be healthy for her. Despite all, there is still ambiguity in her relationship feelings toward [Depp]. Discussed at length. Still difficult for her to let go with finality. Am encouraging her to do so.”
June 7, 2016– Amber's 2009 arrest is publicized
Amidst their reporting on Heard and Depp’s divorce proceedings, TMZ publicized for the first time that Heard had been arrested for alleged domestic violence in 2009 following the above-referenced incident involving Heard’s ex, Tasya Van Ree.
Charges were never filed against Heard, and Van Ree would go on to defend Heard days after TMZ’s report.
The Seattle Police Department agreed to delete the record of Heard’s arrest in 2011, leading Heard to blame Depp’s legal team for leaking the story to TMZ in a deliberate attempt to damage her reputation.
June 13, 2016– Amber rescinds request for spousal support
On June 13, Heard dropped her request for temporary spousal support in divorce proceedings. She stated in court documents, “[The request is being] used against me to distract and divert the public away from the very serious real issue of domestic violence.”
Heard also defended her decision to seek spousal support initially, claiming that it is “standard operating procedure” when there’s a “great disparity” between two separating parties’ income.
June 23, 2016– "Amber 2.0"
In text messages recently released in unsealed court documents, Depp and his friend Brian Warner, a.k.a. Marilyn Manson, exchange text messages in which Warner expresses that he is facing problems similar to Depp’s in his own relationship with his current wife (then partner) Lindsay Usich.
Warner describes these issues as “Amber 2.0.” He does not go into detail however it’s been alleged that Warner has been abusive toward Usich previously.
Sometime around July 2016– Private meeting between Johnny and Amber
Depp and Heard are in the same room; Depp is on the phone with his attorneys whom Heard accuses of manipulating him
Depp is concerned about the police being called about the meeting because Heard still had an active restraining order against him; Heard assures him that no one is going to call the police
Heard says her attorneys are aware of the meeting but were specifically told not to report Depp for violating the order; she says they would lose her as a client if they called the police
Depp and Heard argue about Heard’s sister selling information to People magazine; Depp says Henriquez had admitted to doing this but Heard says she didn’t
Depp accuses Heard of screaming while he was on the phone with his attorneys
Heard accuses Depp of punching and headbutting her in the past
Depp says “I headbutted you in the fucking forehead, that doesn’t break a nose”
Heard says she never thought her nose was broken and the two argue about whether or not Depp ever hit Heard’s nose at all
Heard also claims Depp threw a phone at her face, likely in reference to the May 21st incident; Depp denies this
They argue a little more and Depp says he’s going to leave
Heard tries to get Depp to hug her goodbye but he won’t
Heard tells Depp she loves him and tries to take his sunglasses off to look at her which he rejects
They continue a back-and-forth, then eventually talk about the end of their relationship
Depp says he never wanted a divorce and didn’t want Heard to go to Coachella the day after their fight on Heard’s birthday
Depp accuses Heard of punching him, likely referring to the fight he had just mentioned; Heard doesn’t deny this and says she’s sorry
Heard says she wanted Depp to be clean and sober during their meeting and Depp responds, “I’m never getting clean and sober.”
Depp says he drinks so much because of Heard and her constant criticism of him
Depp tries to get Heard to “admit” to something she’d said the night prior; it’s unclear what he’s referring to
Depp seems to imply that Heard cheated on him with Elon Musk which Heard counters by mentioning Rochelle, the woman Depp allegedly had an affair with during their marriage
Depp says Heard is a “left-over, over-the-hill stripper” and “that’s all [she’ll] ever be in [the entertainment] industry”
Sometime around July 2016– Another private meeting
These recordings appear to have been made around the same period as the previous audio recording. Heard mentions something about hitting her while she’s already on the floor in the first recording. In the second one, Depp demands that Heard cut him with a knife. She refuses and pleads with Depp to not hurt himself.
July 8, 2016– "Meet and greet girl"
In a text message to Depp, Warner (Marilyn Manson) appears to be recommending that Depp sleep with one of Warner’s young fans. Warner writes, “My new fan meet and greet girl. Looks like you need it. Trust me. I’ll send a pic. 18…”
July 9, 2016– Johnny's text to Marilyn Manson
Though these text messages take place a month later, Depp’s July 9th texts to Warner appear to be a continuation of the pair’s “Amber 2.0” conversation. He writes to Warner:
“DON’T TAKE NO SHIT!!! Most important is to stay calm and not give her what she wants, which is, TO MAKE YOU SCREAM, FLIP OUT AND FEED HER NARCISSISM!!! Trust me… I been reading
A LOT of material on that and sociopathic behavior… It is fucking real, my brother!!! My ex-cunt is goddam TEXTBOOK!!! Should have read this shit earlier!!!”
July 16, 2016– Johnny's text to Nurse Falati
Amidst continued conflict with Heard during the divorce, Depp sent a text message to Falati regarding Heard and the medical care he’d arranged for her:
“I was the CLIENT, ultimately, if you and Debbie are able to, at least, speak of me, who I really am and what!!! I was the one who asked for you to CALM HER DOWN AND KEEP HER UNDER CONTROL!!! Not because she was kicking DRUGS!!! It was to take her pressure away from me!!! Same reason that I hired her shrink... Who, by the way, only made her worse!!!”
August 6, 2016– Johnny's legal team calls Amber "uncooperative"
In court documents, Depp’s legal team accused Heard of being “uncooperative” during divorce proceedings, saying, "She refused to testify despite repeated requests from Johnny's counsel and instead sat with her lawyers, cried on the telephone, yelled, screamed, and paced in a separate room.”
August 8, 2016– Amber requests medical records
Amidst their divorce proceedings, Heard sent an email to Dr. Kipper requesting her medical records from December 2015.
August 13, 2016– Johnny's text to Amber's former assistant
While Heard and Depp continued their legal battles, Depp texted Heard’s former assistant Kate James from his sister’s phone, writing:
“Thank you, sweetheart… I’m disgusted that I ever fuckin’ touched that scum…
Back on Tuesday!! And then… Court!!!
Will hit you when I get back, doll… Come over for a spot of purple and we’ll fix her flabby ass nice and good!!!
Loveth…
J.”
It is assumed that Depp was speaking about Heard when referencing “her.”
James had been fired by Heard about a year prior and later testified as a witness for Depp in both the UK and the US trials.
August 13, 2016– Amber is deposed
Following multiple postponements, Heard sat for a filmed deposition on August 13th.
August 15, 2016– Johnny's text to Christian Carino
In the midst of their legal battles, Depp sent the following text message to Christian Carino, Heard’s former agent:
“She's begging for total global humiliation... She's gonna get it. I'm gonna need your texts about San Francisco, brother... I'm even sorry to ask... But, she sucked Mollusk's crooked dick and he gave her some shitty lawyers... I have no mercy, no fear and not an ounce of emotion, or what I once thought was love for this gold digging, low level, dime a dozen, mushy, pointless dangling overused flappy fish market... I'm so fucking happy she wants to go to fight this out!!! She will hit the wall hard!!! And I cannot wait to have this waste of a cum guzzler out of my life!!! I met a fucking sublime little Russian here... Which made me realize the time I blew on that 50 cent stripper... I wouldn't touch her with a goddamn glove. I can only hope that karma kicks in and takes the gift of breath from her...
Sorry, man... But, NOW, I will stop at nothing !!! Let's see if mollusk has a pair... Come see me face to face... I'll show him things he's never seen before... Like, the other side of his dick when I slice it off...”
August 16, 2016– Further conversations with Christian and Dr. Kipper
On August 16th, around the time Depp and Heard reached a settlement agreement, Depp texted Carino, writing, “It's finally over. I never have to see that scumbag gold-digging cunt ever again, never listening to her cloying know-it-all voice.”
The same day, he wrote to Dr. Kipper, “Settled with the whore, 5 mill, can you fucking imagine, charges dropped for 5 million.”
Unknown date, sometime during divorce proceedings– Phone call between Johnny and Amber
Prior to their eventual settlement, Heard and Depp had a conversation via phone which was recorded by Depp.
It’s unclear if Heard realized she was being recorded at the time.
(disclosure: deppdive.net is a pro-Depp site and the above transcript does contain anti-Heard speculations, such as in regards to accusations of Heard “fake crying” or perceived vocal inflections implicating her tone. Also note that not every word appears to be completey accurate.)
Basic notes:
Heard tells Depp that he did not have to file anything in return about her initial filing for divorce and that she’d tried to warn him that if he did file, it’d become easier for TMZ to discover the documents
Heard says she instructed her lawyer to deliver her documents in the middle of a stack of paperwork to the court at the end of the day to make it less likely to get discovered; she says this is why TMZ took a few days to publish their report on the divorce
Heard claims that Depp’s attorney at the time, Laura Wasser, filed Depp’s response to Heard’s filing at opening hours on top of a stack of paperwork, “eight minutes or five minutes” after which, TMZ picked up the story. Heard implies that Wasser did this intentionally in an attempt to “help” Depp make his side of their legal battle public, despite Depp stating that he’d wanted to keep proceedings private
Depp seems to believe this is a possibility and says it “wouldn’t surprise” him
Heard says that she only filed because Wasser had told her that she would be evicted from Depp’s home along with her friends and sister who also lived in penthouses owned by Depp within 21 days if she didn’t
Depp counters by saying that he’d told Heard that she could stay in his home as long as she needed to figure things out. Heard says she remembers this and thought that was the case but that Depp’s team had used “oppressive moves” to make her believe she was going to be evicted in 21 days
Heard says she doesn’t want to hurt Depp and that she loves him
Depp says he loves Heard “more than anything in life” and doesn’t want to go to court with her; he wants to end things peacefully
The phone connection cuts out briefly and Heard calls Depp back, it’s unclear what of Depp’s previous statements she heard after her last statement (when she said she loves him)
Depp suggests writing a mutual letter which says, “In lieu of what's transpiring out there in the world with all this fucking crazy shit, we have decided to take this private. We're not going to go to court, right now, over this. We are going to try to work something out, together.”
Depp says he understands that Heard wants to defend herself but that defending herself by throwing him “under the bus” is “not going to look good”
Heard says she’s not throwing him under the bus and that she has years of evidence of abuse and corroborating eyewitnesses. She says she didn’t file a police report against Depp because she did not want to hurt him.
Depp says he does not want to hurt her either and that he loves her
Heard says she’s been called a “liar” and a “gold-digger.” Depp says that he’s never called her that, to which Heard responds that it’s still “from [his] side.”
Depp says he’s going to make some calls to figure everything out and stop the court proceedings.
Heard says “I don’t know how to get my reputation back,” to which Depp again suggests a mutual letter. Heard says that “every ounce of [her] credibility” has been taken from her.
The two then have a back-and-fourth about Heard telling iO to call the police on May 21st. Heard says she genuinely thought she was going to lose her life and that Depp would kill her on accident, which she’d also told him after past incidents. Depp counters by bringing up that he lost the tip of his finger, referring to the Australia incident. He also says he had “a can of mineral spirits” thrown at his nose.
The following excerpt is contested and became a large part of the defamation trial in the US. Heard argues that Depp will not be seen as a legitimate victim if she files a police report against him for domestic abuse because he is “bigger” and “stronger” than her, therefore any physical altercation would not be viewed as a “fair fight.” While saying this, Heard either says the word “man” as in “hey, man” or “a man” in reference to Depp’s gender. (Deppdive.net’s transcript also adds the word “female” before the words “domestic violence,” however that word does not seem to appear in the audio at all).
Take this difference into consideration while reading the exchange as it’s become a big talking-point for the case:
AH: You can please tell people that it was a fair fight, and see what the jury and judge thinks. Tell the word, Johnny. Tell them… ‘I Johnny Depp, [a] man, I’m a victim too of domestic violence. And I, you know, it's a fair fight. And see how many people believe or side with you.
JD: It doesn’t matter. Fair fight my ass.
AH: Exactly! Because your big, you're bigger and you're stronger. And so when I say that I thought that you could kill me, that doesn't mean you counter with you also… lost your own finger. I–I am not trying to attack you here. I'm just trying to point out the fact of why I said ‘call 911.’ Because… you had your hands on me after you threw a phone at my face. And it's got crazy in the past, and I truly thought, ‘I need to stop this madness before I get hurt.’
As the conversation continues:
Heard says the fact that she never made a statement to the police has been used against her by Depp’s own team
Heard implies that TMZ is in Depp’s “pocket” and mentions several articles published by the site that favor Depp’s side of the story
Depp says he’ll call around and see what’s going on but that “it sounds like” Heard wants “to go to court.” Heard says she does not, she just wants to clear her name.
Heard says that Depp’s bodyguards have already lied on his behalf by saying, on record, that they’ve never witnessed Depp’s abuse of Heard, which she says is untrue
Depp implies that Heard is abusive to him after she says “yes” when asked if she believes he’s abused her. He says that Heard “started” many of their fights and Heard counters by saying that she is incapable of overpowering him physically.
Both then talk about the effect the media coverage of their divorce has had on their family.
Heard accuses Depp’s team of lying again and claims his attorneys are feeding information to TMZ, saying, “Your people put this out. Why… did your security go on the record and lie? Why? That's a proactive measure. Why did your divorce attorney get to file for divorce period? At all? Second, why did she have to go and leak to TMZ? Why, if you wanted it private, is TMZ being fed information literally by Laura Wasser and Marty Singer every step of the way? My… arrest records. Who put that in the media? The rumors that I was a stripper?”
After Heard implies that Depp is the one giving this information to his attorneys, Depp seemingly becomes offended and says, “I will see you in fucking court. You don’t want to make f**king nice…? I’m trying… I loved you for so many fucking years but you know what? You didn’t exist. You don’t exist. You’re not there… You are a fucking made-up thing in my head. And I can’t believe you are doing this to me.”
Heard says she’s just defending herself. They go back-and-forth briefly, then the phone call ends.
August 19, 2016– Settlement is reached
Sometime after the above phone call, Heard and Depp evidently came to an agreement.
Depp agreed to pay Heard a $7 million divorce settlement, which Heard said would be donated to the ACLU and a children’s hospital. How much of this amount was actually donated would become a point of contention during later court battles.
Heard’s restraining order against Depp was dropped and the two put out the following statement to the press:
“Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm.”
Along with this, the couple agreed to sign a confidentiality agreement which barred them from discussing any alleged abuse in the relationship publicly.
September 3, 2016– Johnny emails Dr. Kipper
On September 3rd, Depp sent an email to Dr. Kipper, seeming to reference his settlement with Heard and the former couples’ decision to sign a confidentiality agreement, writing, “If she releases anything, she will not get the dough as she will be in breach of her agreement.”
October 17, 2016– Johnny's text to Isaac Baruch
Following their separation, Depp said of Heard in a text to Baruch: “Hopefully that cunt’s rotting corpse is decomposing in the fucking trunk of a Honda Civic!!!”
He also wrote of the penthouses he and Heard once lived in, saying:
“I hate it, but I gotta lose those fucking Penthouses!!
That cunt ruined such a fuckin’ cool life we led for a while… I can’t even look at the building anymore!!! Fucked up… I really loved that spot.”
November 20, 2016– Marilyn Manson seeks refuge
On November 20th, Warner texted Depp asking if he could “crash” at Depp’s house for the night. He did not give specifics as to why he was requesting a place to stay however he wrote, “Had a massive dramatic exodus of the it. But I’m ok.”
About two weeks later he would again seek a place to stay with Depp following a fight with his partner Lindsay Usich.
November 21, 2016– Amber Heard is sued
On November 21, 2016, producers of the film London Fieldsfiled a lawsuit against Heard accusing her of breach of contract and committing tortious interference during and following her work on the film.
Along with the film’s director, Heard was accused of sabotaging the film’s distribution by failing to comply with contractual obligations to promote the movie, most notably after Heard, Matthew Cullen (the director), and others of the London Fields cast refused to attend the film’s premiere at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. With Cullen voicing his own disapproval of the film’s final cut, which he stated included “incendiary imagery evoking 9/11 jumpers edited against pornography,” he and Heard were charged with co-conspiracy to violate their contractual agreements with the film’s producers.
Heard as well faced accusations of breach of contract for her alleged behavior during the film’s principal photography. The complaint states, “As a result of Heard’s refusal to comply with her contractual obligations–including her improper refusal to act in provocative scenes contained in the pre-approved script–key scenes in the script had to be removed and/or rewritten to accommodate Heard’s behavior.” Heard also allegedly refused to complete ADR work unless the work was exclusively used in a Director’s Cut of the film rather than the Producer’s Cut which would go to distribution.
Along with this, Heard was accused of breaching her contract with producers with her disclosure of confidential information after Heard and multiple actors on the film sent “coordinated letters” to the production team criticizing the Producer’s Cut of the film, stating and/or implying that they would not support the version of the film planned for release. This group of actors included Depp who, according to the complaint filed, took part in the sending of these letters sometime in May of 2015. Though this correspondence has not been made available for viewing to the public, Depp’s alleged complaints likely correspond to those made in his email to Tracey Jacobs in August of 2015, in which he demanded his own footage be removed from the film’s final cut along with footage of Heard’s filmed nudity.
Though the complaint against Heard does not go into detail, the document does make mention of the film’s potential contribution to the divorce of Depp and Heard. It is unclear what in regards to the film’s production is being presented as this alleged contributing factor, however possible explanations include Depp’s alleged disapproval of Heard’s sexualized public image along with Depp’s alleged jealousy and/or Heard’s alleged infidelity prompted by her work with Billy Bob Thornton, Heard’s co-star in London Fields. This conflict with Depp, Heard and Thornton is exemplified in the “Starring Billy Bob Easy Amber” vandalism during the Australia incident.
Heard later filed a lawsuit against Christopher Hanley, a producer on the film, along with Hanley’s wife Roberta, the London Fields screenwriter, for violating the Nudity Rider in her contract by recording an “explicit pornographic sex scene” with Heard’s body-double.
November 25, 2016– "Lindsay pulled an Amber"
On November 25th, Warner texted Depp asking again for a place to stay, saying:
“lindsay pulled an amber and she filed a police report because that zipper head [an offensive slur for Asian people] james iha and her poor fat mom want to steal my money.
Fuck em.
I’m safe right now. But I may need to hide out if you got a spare room.”
Depp later responds, “where are you?? is she there, as well??? keep a distance and speak as little as possible to her!!! I get’s in car and come to gets you???”
Warner responds:
“I’m at home. She at sisters house… Where are you and where should I go? Because I don’t have work today so I can hide out wherever you gots my brother…
I talked to tony. But this is fucked. She filed a restraining order. Said I beat her up. And gave the cops my address. And said that I have drugs here. So I’m ready to book outta here”
Depp tells Warner, “Stay aware from her!!! Give her no chance to get at you!!!!”
Warner says, “I hope the po po ain’t coming after me.”
December 2016– Text from Johnny's agent
In December of 2016, Depp’s agent at the time, Tracey Jacobs, texted his business manager, Edward White, to report an alleged issue with Depp’s behavior on a recent film set, writing, “I got a call from Disney last week saying he showed up 5 hours late for adr work in London for pirates 5. I really need to speak to him before he starts work on this next project in la.”
Jacobs would later testify in court that Depp’s lateness to sets along with other matters of unprofessionalism caused his job offers to significantly decline.
January 2017– Johnny sues former business managers
In January 2017, Depp entered another legal battle that would bring him significant press, most of which was negative.
Depp filed a lawsuit against his former business managers, The Management Group, seeking damages of $25 million alleging TMG committed negligence, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty against him.
TMG had been acting as Depp’s business, tax, and accounting advisers from 1999 until being let go in 2016. Depp’s lawsuit claimed TMG “collected tens of millions of dollars of contingent fees” at his expense, consistently failed to file or pay his taxes on time, failed to keep proper books, and loaned nearly $10 million of his money to third parties without his authorization, among other complaints.
TMG disputed these claims, citing Depp’s “irresponsible and profligate spending” as the explanation for any monetary loss in his estate. They further stated that Joel and Robert Mandel, Depp’s former business managers, had given Depp a $5 million loan in 2012 to save him from “financial ruin.” Depp failed to pay back the loan, prompting the Mandels to begin a foreclosure process against some of Depp’s properties. They claimed, “Depp’s lawsuit, filed on the eve of the sale of those properties, is a transparent attempt to derail the foreclosure by concocting and spreading malicious lies about the Mandels.”
Following this, TMG filed a countersuit against Depp. Court documents obtained by various publications publicized Depp’s spending habits along with TMG’s claims that Depp consistently spent more than he was earning. They said he spent $3 million to blast Hunter Thompson’s ashes out of a cannon, $18 million on an 150-foot yacht, and $4 million on “a failed record label.” On a monthly basis, they reported that Depp would spend $30,000 a month on wine, $200,000 a month on private planes, $150,000 a month on round-the-clock security, and $300,000 a month to maintain a staff of 40 people.
According to TMG, the Mandels regularly informed Depp that he was spending too much, challenging Depp’s accusation that they’d failed to keep proper books or communicate accounting concerns with him. They allege:
“Depp often responded by rebuking and cursing his business managers for issuing such warnings and advice, while increasing his extravagant lifestyle and spending, and demanding that his business managers find some way to pay for it all. Depp, and Depp alone, is fully responsible for any financial turmoil he finds himself in today. He has refused to live within his means, despite the best efforts of TMG and the repeated warnings about his financial condition from TMG and his other advisors.”
As proceedings went forward, a representative for TMG called Depp “a habitual liar who denies responsibility for his own outrageous conduct and coerces others to lie for him.”
TMG also alleged that Depp’s managers had made several payments on his behalf to “conceal acts of violence” as well as Depp’s “drug and alcohol abuse.”
Ahead of the 2022 trial, Heard’s legal team attempted to receive documents from TMG regarding this alleged “hush money,” filing documents with the court stating:
“TMG was aware that Mr. Depp had violently abused Ms. Heard and that he had pressured his employees to make false public statements denying this fact… TMG also paid millions of dollars to various members of Mr. Depp’s staff, many of whom will be witnesses in the Underlying Lawsuit, as well as millions of dollars to ‘bail [Mr. Depp] out of numerous legal crises” and “mak[e] a series of hush money settlements.’…
TMG alleged that Mr. Depp repeatedly coerced individuals to lie to protect him. For example, when text messages were published showing that Mr. Depp’s longtime assistant apologized to Ms. Heard for Mr. Depp’s ‘disgusting’ behavior, Mr. Depp pressured the assistant to falsely and publicly accuse Ms. Heard of “manufacturing” those messages. According to TMG, Mr. Depp ‘knew full well that the text messages were genuine, but pressured and berated his assistant to falsely challenge the texts publicly.’… TMG also alleged that its principal, Joel Mandel, ‘was informed well after the fact through communications with various house staff and security that Depp had been extremely volatile and had sometimes “gotten physical” with Heard’ and that ‘Depp had violently kicked Heard during an incident that took place in or around 2014.’…
In short, the TMG Lawsuit, which was eventually dismissed in August 2018, involved allegations and evidence of Mr. Depp’s abuse of Ms. Heard, as well as information about individuals with knowledge of that abuse and Mr. Depp’s efforts to cover it up.”
The first relationship Depp is reported to have entered following his split from Heard, according to the Daily Mail, began in early 2017, around the time his divorce from Heard was finalized.
Though the age gaps in some of Depp’s relationships have been criticized in the past (with Heard, Winona Ryder, and Kate Moss), his relationship with Go-Go dancer Polina Glen involved a wider gap, Glen being 24 at the time the two reportedly became a couple while Depp was 56.
Though little has been confirmed about the alleged couple’s relationship, The Daily Mail published claims in November of 2019 saying that Glen moved into Depp’s home after just a few weeks of dating.
It is rumored that the two also began discussing marriage, however, Glen reportedly broke up with Depp soon after, finding the attention and publicity involved in being Depp’s girlfriend “scary.” She also allegedly told Depp that plans to get married so soon were “madness.”
Following this relationship, Depp reportedly began dating 33-year-old reality TV star Sophie Hermann in 2020.
Depp was ordered to pay Heard $7 million which she stated would be donated to charity, as discussed in the August 2016 announcement of their settlement.
Depp kept all of his real estate as well as his collection of 40 vehicles.
Heard received custody of the couple’s two dogs.
Neither party received any spousal support.
Heard did not attempt to extend her temporary restraining order against Depp and the two signed a confidentiality agreement.
February 2017– Johnny's texts about Molly
During the 2022 trial, Depp was questioned about a text he sent on February 22, 2017 to a personal assistant, which stated, “Molly's pussy is RIGHTFULLY MINE!!!! Should I not just bust in and remove the hinges tonight???" He also allegedly wrote, “I need, I want, I take.”
Depp denied the text messages were written by him and accused Heard’s attorneys of typing the words themselves, which they denied.
In later unsealed documents, the deposition of Stephen Dueters depicts this conversation in more detail:
Depp: “I want Molly's tiny, drunken, and belligerent, yet somehow sublime – one can only hope to trust the imagination and/or pray to any fucking thing that is impossibly, spectacularly, stupidly firm, and bafflingly as pert as a fresh clementine. Play night for daddy before he walks into the den of snakes.”
Depp: “I am in some species of need. I mean, I'm only nearly human after all???”
Dueters: “Indeed, sir. But all considered in the here and now, the right moves lie westward. And do not be sad, for there is much land to be plowed there. Much indeed. Go and take all that is yours.”
Depp: “Right, exactly. Molly's Pussy is rightfully mine. Should I not just bust in and remove its hinges tonight?”
Depp: “I want to change her understanding of what it is like to be thrashed about like a pleading mackerel. I need. I want I take.”
Dueters: “Crikey, man. I wonder what her understanding of being thrashed about like a mackerel was like otherwise? The world is for you to take again. And take it, you will. Happy travels. Sleep. See you in a few days.”
March 30, 2017– Amber sues producers
Following the lawsuit filed against Heard in November of 2016, Heard countersued a producer on the film London Fields along with the film’s screenwriter, accusing the two of violating the Nudity Rider within Heard’s contract to appear in the film.
In her complaint against the producer and screenwriter, Christopher and Roberta Hanley, Heard alleges that the final Producer’s Cut of the film contained “unauthorized sexual images and vulgar scenes” as well as scenes “filmed secretly” which included “several additional nude and sex scenes with a body double for Heard” that she claimed was in violation of the Nudity Rider.
In addition to this, Heard also claimed that the Hanley’s had kept continuity photos of Heard in “various states of undress” following principal photography in an effort to exploit her, and violated Heard’s privacy with statements made about her in their 2016 lawsuit. These statements likely included those referencing the divorce of Heard and Depp with speculations as to the film’s production’s possible contributions to this event.
April 13, 2017– Johnny allegedly assaults a crew member
While on set of the film City of Lies, location manager Gregg “Rocky” Brooks alleges that he was assaulted by Depp after Brooks informed the director of the film that their shooting permit had expired for the night.
According to Brooks, Depp wanted to continue filming and became combative once he discovered the set was to be shut down, yelling, “I don’t give a fuck who you are and you can’t tell me what to do!”
After this, Depp allegedly punched Brooks twice in the lower left side of his rib cage. He then yelled to Brooks, “I will give you $100,000 to punch me in the face right now!”
Brooks alleges that he was fired from the production three days later after refusing to sign a release waiving his right to sue over the incident.
He also stated that he smelled alcohol on Depp’s breath.
Brooks filed a lawsuit in July of 2018.
May 22, 2017– Amber is accused of "bowing to pressure from a jealous husband"
In a continuation of the legal battles between Heard and Christopher and Roberta Hanley, the Hanley’s accused Heard of dropping her support for the Producer’s Cut of London Fields in response to pressure she’d experienced from Depp due to the nudity Heard had filmed during principal photography.
While Heard’s complaint against the Hanley’s accused the couple of violating the Nudity Rider in her contract, the Hanley’s alleged in response that Heard herself had agreed to the provocative scenes initially, however rescinded her support “under perceived or actual pressure from Depp (who, according to Heard, was extremely jealous).”
Heard and the producers for London Fields eventually reached a settlement in 2018 which reportedly did not involve the exchange of any money between the two parties.
November 5, 2017– Marilyn Manson's statement
On November 5th, Brian Warner (Marilyn Manson) sent a text to Depp with a statement he asserted that he wanted to “say to the press or on Twitter” regarding Heard’s abuse accusations. His statement is written as follows:
“Johnny Depp, is by far the most caring person a wretch like me could ever know. He is selfless in his love of his close circle of true friends. He is a great, great father. And if anyone has the Ignorance to compare his acting to paparazzi pictures, then you are tourists.
He invented paparazzi. Being real. Real fucking amazing.
My best friend has never been afraid to be himself.
He has known and now I hope he is certain that scabrous vultures are trying to eat at his unkillable corpse. However his artistic-heart and god-given acting abilities go beyond film. He allows dim witted doubters to assume his demise.
That is his greatest gift. Watching the rats Jump-ship. And being a champion. And looking handsome as fuck doing it.
MM”
He then wrote to Depp,
“I want to add that an actress he was involved with referred to me as a homosexual because Johnny and I have been friends for years and Got matching tattoos. I thought it was an Ironic joke, but I watched my best friend be called terrible slurs and I respect him as a gentlemen for not saying the truth that I would love to tell the world but As his friend and his daughters godfather, I believe that family matters should be respected. And not be a device to climb your way to the bottom.”
He then says to Depp, “I fucking need to save this fucking landslide. I knew it was coming. That Cunt.”
May 1, 2018– Johhny is sued by ex-bodyguards
While the legal battles with TMG were still ongoing, Depp was hit with another lawsuit from two bodyguards he’d fired in 2016.
The suit alleged unlawful business practices, failure to pay wages, and wrongful termination. The former employees claimed that Depp put them in “unsafe and unacceptable situations,” often having to protect Depp from his own actions. Specifically, they reference an alleged incident at a nightclub in which the employees were responsible for telling Depp when he had residue from illegal substances on his face while preventing onlookers from becoming aware of his highly intoxicated condition.
In January of 2019, it was reported that the suit had been quietly settled.
April 27, 2018– The Sun calls Johnny a "wife-beater"
Following statements from J.K. Rowling addressing the controversial casting of Depp in the Harry Potter franchise follow-up series, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, Dan Wootton wrote an article for UK tabloid The Sun entitled, “GONE POTTY How Can J K Rowling be ‘genuinely happy’ casting Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film after assault claim?”
The article referred to Depp as a “wife-beater,” referencing Heard’s 2016 claims of abuse, and chastised Rowling for approving of the casting despite her reputation as a self-proclaimed feminist.
June 1, 2018– Johnny sues The Sun
Depp filed a lawsuit against The Sun and Dan Wootton for libel, claiming he was defamed by Wootton’s article’s labeling of Depp as a wife-beater.
June 21, 2018– Rolling Stone article
In the same month that he filed a lawsuit against The Sun, Depp was also featured in an unflattering article written by Stephen Rodrick for Rolling Stone, entitled “The Trouble With Johnny Depp.”
Rodrick’s piece came as a result of an interview with Depp that took place over three days. He describes Depp during this time as “alternately hilarious, sly and incoherent,” going on to describe Depp as a “permanent Peter Pan” who’s “oblivious to any personal complicity in his current predicament.”
At one point in the interview, Depp calls Harvey Weinstein an “asshole” for “burying” his film Dead Man. He then softens and comments on Weinstein’s love for his daughter. These comments came across to many readers as odd since Weinstein had been outed as a serial rapist about a year prior.
The article also discusses Depp’s many legal battles, especially his lawsuit against TMG and their countersuit claims against him. Regarding TMG’s claim that he had spent $30,000 on wine, Depp calls the allegation “insulting” because he had actually spent “far more.” He also claims that it cost $5 million to shoot Hunter S. Thompson ashes through a cannon, not $3 million as TMG alleged. While these were likely facetious comments made by Depp, Rodrick emphasizes the allegations of Depp’s spending habits throughout the article and discusses communications between Depp and his former business managers that portray Depp as dominantly responsible for the state of his finances and unwilling to take accountability for his actions. “It appears it will be up to others to bail out Johnny Depp,” the article states.
Depp tells Rodrick about a contentious exchange he had with one of his business managers, which was almost immediately followed by an apology on Depp’s part. “It wasn’t out of the ordinary for Depp to send an apologetic text or e-mail a few hours after an outburst,” Rodrick writes.
Rodrick also mentions other alleged issues in Depp’s career as an actor, including rumors he frequently forgot his lines and had to have them fed to him through an earpiece on set. When Rodrick asks him about this, Depp says that he did indeed hire a sound engineer onto his payroll to feed him lines while filming, but this was a choice made to improve his performance as it “made him act with just his eyes.”
The article discusses various others in Depp’s orbit, including his lawyer, Adam Waldman who smoked a joint with Depp and Rodrick at Depp’s home during the interview. Waldman, Rodrick reports, was listed in a Business Insider article, naming him first in a list of “Executives Who Are Working on Behalf of Putin.” Rodrick says the list “detailed [Waldman’s] service for Oleg Deripaska, an aluminum magnate and Russian oligarch with strong ties to the Russian president.”
Toward the end of the piece, Rodrick writes of Depp, “There is no one around him who isn’t getting paid.”
In his interview with the magazine, Depp discussed what he felt was an unfair portrayal of him in the media. He spoke about the Rolling Stone article and his disappointment in how it was written, defended himself in regards to various lawsuits as well as his former management’s alleged mishandling of his finances, then briefly touched upon Heard’s abuse allegations and the stain they left on his reputation. He defended his occasional aggression toward paparazzi, but denied that he had or would intentionally hurt any person he cared for, saying:
“I’ve even said before, if a paparazzo gets a shot, they’re far away and they get a shot of me and my kid, whatever, that’s their thing. But if I catch you, I will eat your nose. I will eat your nose, chew it up and swallow it in front of you and then you’ll fucking think about it next time. I fucking mean it. But to...To harm someone you love? As a kind of bully? No, it didn’t, it couldn’t even sound like me.”
He went on to lament how the accusations affected his family in a negative way:
“I do this shit for my kids, man. How could someone, anyone, come out with something like that against someone, when there’s no truth to it whatsoever? I’m sure it wasn’t easy for my 14-year-old boy to go to school, you know what I mean? With people going, ‘Hey, look at this magazine, man. What, your dad beats up chicks or something?’ Why did he have to go through that? Why did my daughter have to go through that?”
Though he did not name Heard, he spoke of her actions following their split and contested her claims of abuse:
“Why didn’t that person speak to the police? I mean, they spoke to the police, but the police saw nothing and they offered her an emergency medical technician. She said no. Police see nothing on her. Police see nothing broken in the place, no marks, and then they offer her an EMT to have a look at her and she says no and I don’t know if it was the next day or a couple of days later, but then there was a bruise. There was a red mark and then there was a brown bruise… She was at a party the next day. Her eye wasn’t closed. She had her hair over her eye, but you could see the eye wasn’t shut. Twenty-five feet away from her, how the fuck am I going to hit her? Which, by the way, is the last thing I would’ve done. I might look stupid, but I ain’t fucking stupid.”
The author of the article commented that the “Slim” tattoo Depp had gotten in reference to Heard had been changed to “Scum” and later “Scam.”
October 3, 2018– Amber responds to GQ article
Two days after the GQ interview was published, Heard’s attorneys responded to Depp’s words in a statementsaying that Depp’s claims were untrue.
They also stated that Depp had violated the former couple’s confidentiality agreement which barred the two from discussing any abuse allegations from the relationship in public, saying that Depp “has refused to allow Ms. Heard to respond to his baseless allegations, despite repeated requests that she be allowed to do so.”
The statement continues, saying, “Mr. Depp is shamefully continuing his psychological abuse of Ms. Heard, who has attempted to put a very painful part of her life firmly in her past. One need only look at the physical evidence to draw the proper conclusion.”
December 18, 2018– Washington Post Op-Ed
In an op-ed written in collaboration with the ACLU, Heard wrote a piece for The Washington Post in support of the #MeToo movement, citing her own experience as a woman who had accused a partner of domestic violence.
While much of the article does not center Heard’s experience in her former marriage, three sentences did reference her past relationship with Depp along with her 2016 abuse allegations. The first sentence is the article’s title, “I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture’s wrath.” The second is a re-statement of this idea, “[T]wo years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out.” The third references Depp indirectly, “I had the rare vantage point of seeing, in real time, how institutions protect men accused of abuse.”
March 1, 2019– Johnny sues Amber for defamation
Shortly following Heard’s Washington Post op-ed, Depp filed a lawsuit against Heard for defamation.
The suit states that Heard’s claims of abuse “were part of an elaborate hoax to generate positive publicity for Ms. Heard and advance her career” and further claimed that Heard had been the perpetrator of abuse in their marriage, from which Depp was the victim.
Depp sought $50 million in damages. Heard would later file a countersuit seeking $100 million.
April-December 2019– Amber returns to therapy sessions with Dr. Bonnie
On April 1st, 2019, Heard had her first session with Jacobs since August 2014, prior to both her marriage and divorce.
During the session, Heard allegedly told Jacobs that she had wanted to return sooner but was “embarrassed.”
Heard alleged “severe beatings” and “worse” by Depp and said that he refused to allow Heard to be treated by Jacobs. Instead, Heard went to “[Depp’s] guy,” who gave her medication that she said did not help. Heard said she received very little talk therapy and felt “blamed” by the psychiatrist hired by Depp. She told Jacobs that she believed everything was her fault during her marriage, prompting her to stay with Depp until he eventually threw a phone at her face.
Jacobs wrote that Heard spent most of the session crying and recounted how Depp had said the “only way one of them would leave [the] marriage was [death].” Heard said Depp had sent text messages to his friends saying he wanted to kill her.
On April 4th, Heard discussed her legal battles against Depp with Jacobs. She allegedly said she felt like Depp was trying to “bankrupt” her as a “punishment” for leaving him.
On April 11th and 16th, Heard continued telling Jacobs about her legal and financial struggles, as well as said she had been suffering nightmares reliving experiences from her marriage with Depp.
On May 9th, Heard said she was angry with her father, remembering that she heard him telling Depp that “women need to know [who’s] boss” and to “put them in their place.”
Heard said that when she told her mother about the alleged abuse in her marriage, her mother said that Depp “wouldn’t do it if he didn’t love her.”
In sessions from June until November, Heard spoke with Jacobs about events that had allegedly taken place during her marriage and said she was reliving much of her trauma by going through old notebooks and trying to put events into chronological order for her upcoming testimonies. She said she still felt responsible for some of Depp’s behavior.
In December, Heard said that her career was going “downhill” because of the negative publicity surrounding her divorce.
Unknown date, sometime around UK trial– Laura Divenere claims to have been coerced by Johnny's Lawyers
In a recorded conversation between Heard and her friend Laura Divenere, Divenere tells Heard that Depp’s legal team had used coercive tactics to make Divenere provide a witness statement that contradicted Heard’s claims of abuse.
Divenere had been working as Heard’s interior designer around the time of Heard’s separation from Depp and the incident on May 21st, 2016. In the phone call, she says she was not made aware of Heard’s allegations of abuse at the time, however, Depp’s lawyer, Adam Waldman, accused Divenere of being complicit in Heard’s “hoax” and threatened to subpoena her if she did not provide an eyewitness account to help dispute Heard’s claims.
A photo of a June 2019 text sent from Waldman to Divenere was also leaked.
In her call with Heard, Divenere calls Waldman “the biggest asshole.”
Waldman, Divenere states, also told Divenere that Kate James, Heard’s former assistant, would be testifying against Heard as well, claiming Heard’s treatment of James gave her PTSD. Divenere laughs about this and says she told Waldman that she’d only seen Heard yell at James once and implied that Heard was justified for this given James’ actions. Divenere says James “consistently screwed things up all the time” and was “a mess.” She also mentions an incident in which James called her while intoxicated which promote Divenere to tell Heard that she should terminate James’ employment.
Heard asked if Divenere ever thought she’d been verbally abusive to James, to which Divenere responded, “No.” She says James was not suited for her job and now has a “vendetta” against Heard, calling James “completely off the rails.”
Divenere tells Heard about other people Waldman was planning to subpoena under false pretenses and the two say that Depp’s legal team is trying to “trick” people into giving manipulated statements. Heard mentions allegations brought by Depp’s team that she calls “literally just made up.”
Divenere says Waldman asked her if she saw Heard’s alleged injuries in the days after May 21st, to which Divenere claims she couldn’t recall because the event had happened four years prior and Heard had hidden this aspect of her life from Divenere at the time. In the phone call, she tells Heard she needs Heard’s team to call her as a witness so she can say something to Heard’s defense in an effort to “cancel out” her coerced deposition from Depp’s team.
July 7-28, 2020– The UK trial
Heard was called to testify in the UK trial despite her’s and Depp’s previous confidentiality agreement to verify The Sun’s claims that Depp was a “wife-beater.”
Mr. Justice Nicol ruled on November 2, 2020 that The Sun did not defame Depp, deciding that 12 out of 14 instances of alleged abuse Heard provided to the court were proven true to the civil standard, therefore the publication’s description of Depp as a “wife-beater” was accurate.
Following his loss in the UK, Depp’s reputation took another blow when The Hollywood Reporter published another unflattering article about Depp’s downfall in the entertainment industry, entitled, “‘He’s Radioactive’: Inside Johnny Depp’s Self-Made Implosion.”
Tatiana Siegal writes that Depp has developed a “scorched-earth legal strategy that has seen him sue everyone in his path.” Though Siegal did not speak with Depp directly (his team allegedly did not respond to requests for comment), her portrayal of his publicity struggles seems to match up with much of Rolling Stone’s 2018 depiction of the actor, as she writes:
“The claims made in at least six recent suits, along with multiple interviews conducted by THR, paint a picture of an out-of-control Depp, a casualty of Hollywood’s sycophant culture in which his wild spending and substance abuse were rarely challenged. Or as one producer who worked on a recent Depp project notes, ‘He’s just never been told no for the past 35 years. That’s typical in Hollywood. But I’ve never seen it to this extent.’”
The article also states that Depp had been accused of “frequent tardiness and costly behavior” on the set of his films.
Like in the Rolling Stone piece, some criticism is aimed at AdamWaldman, whom Siegal also points out has worked for the Russian oligarch as well as Julian Assange. Siegal calls him a “Svengali figure” in Depp’s life.
An “industry figure who has faced off against Depp” says of Depp’s many recent lawsuits: “The abuse and drinking and drugging are one thing — certainly horrible — but then to top it off by going after the very people who were the closest business and personal relationships for years, shows a level of toxicity rarely seen.”
In addition to all the known legal battles Depp has entered, The Hollywood Reporter also alleges additional conflicts hidden from the public’s eye, writing:
“Sources say he paid his first wife, Lori Anne Allison, $1.25 million to keep quiet after he allegedly left a long ranting message in which he repeatedly used the N-word. The previously unreported settlement was accomplished using fictitious names to avoid scrutiny, with Richard Green serving as the stand-in for Johnny Depp.”
Some have also raised suspicion regarding the validity of Depp’s “army of fans” on social media, with the Time’s Up Legal Defense co-founder Roberta Kaplan stating she believes that a combination of real users and high-end bots contribute to aggressive pro-Depp campaigns online. Kaplan says:
“My firm is involved in a lot of controversial cases. Our clients are suing the white supremacists and neo-Nazis responsible for the violence in Charlottesville. I have clients who are suing Donald Trump. But, by far, the one case [of ours] that has generated the greatest amount of hostile social media attacks is Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard. Not even close.”
April 11-June 1, 2022– The US trial
Following a postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US trial of Depp vs. Heard began in April of 2022.
Proceedings were filmed inside the courtroom and broadcast live to millions of viewers, becoming an ongoing center of entertainment on social media.
In 2020, Judge Bruce White threw Depp’s attorney, Adam Waldman, off the case after Waldman was found to have breached a protective order by leaking confidential information about Heard to the press “on at least two occasions.”
In June of 2022, a jury ruled that Heard did defame Depp in her op-ed, however, also ruled that Depp’s former attorney Waldman had defamed Heard in a statement for the Daily Mail.
Both parties were ordered to pay the other some amount of money, however, Heard’s debt to Depp was greater with her now owing him roughly $10 million.
Heard would later file a motion for a mistrial, claiming that one of the jurors in the case was not the individual originally called for jury duty. This motion was denied.
August 15, 2022– Amber Hires new attorneys
Following the original conclusion in the US Fairfax County Virginia trial of Depp v. Heard, Heard filed for an appeal of the verdicts made in Depp’s favor, announcing in August that she was moving forward with her new appellate attorneys, David L. Axelrod and Jay Ward Brown of Ballard Spahr.
On the one verdict made in Heard’s favor, Depp argued that the jury ruled in error by deciding that Depp’s former attorney, Adam Waldman, had defamed Heard by declaring that Heard’s allegations of abuse in May of 2016 were part of an orchestrated “hoax,” and that Waldman was acting as an agent of Depp at the time of his defamatory statements.
In his appeal, Depp argued he should not be liable for comments made by his attorney.
November 2022– Amber’s appeal brief is made public
In a publicly accessible brief for the appeal, Heard’s legal team outlined 16 major points arguing that the Depp v. Heard trial verdict was made in error due to multiple decisions made by the Fairfax County court prior to the case being brought before a jury:
1) The trial court erred in declining to dismiss the action on the ground of forum non conveniens.
Heard’s attorneys argued that the setting for the trial in Fairfax County was inappropriate due to Virginia’s forum non conveniens statute, which permits a trial court to “dismiss an action brought by a person who is not a resident of the Commonwealth without prejudice . . . if the cause of action arose outside of the Commonwealth and if the court determines that a more convenient forum which has jurisdiction over all parties is available in a jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth.”
According to Heard’s attorneys, “the trial court made an error of law in concluding that Depp’s defamation claims arose in Virginia rather than outside the Commonwealth.” They argued that “had the trial court correctly applied the law,” the trial would not have taken place in Virginia.
The trial’s original setting was based upon the fact that the op-ed Depp was suing Heard for writing was published by the Washington Post which maintains computer servers in Springfield, Virginia, however, Heard’s team argued that under Virginia law, “a statement is not considered to be published until it is seen or heard by a third party,” meaning that, since the op-ed was published online with equal accessibility to all 50 states, the servers operated by the Washington Post are irrelevant to the outlet’s place of publication. For that reason, Heard argues, the correct forum for this legal dispute should have been California, the state that Heard and Depp both reside and work within and the state in which Depp would have suffered the most reputational damage by Heard’s allegedly defamatory claims.
The appeal brief states:
“Because of this error, Heard suffered substantial prejudice in two ways. First and most significantly, Heard was unable to subpoena any witnesses for the six-week trial and was forced to rely almost exclusively on deposition designations to defend herself…Depp, who has considerable resources from his decades as a movie star, was able to call more than fifteen live fact witnesses who voluntarily traveled to Virginia from another jurisdiction or appeared by Webex, many of whom are employed by or otherwise financially linked to Depp… Depp capitalized on that disparity, arguing to the jury: ‘You may have noticed that no one showed up for Ms. Heard in this courtroom other than her sister. Other than a witness who traveled to Virginia for her as a paid expert. This is a woman who burns bridges. Her close friends don’t show up for her.’”
Heard’s attorneys also stated that the inconvenient forum of the trial’s setting prevented her from adapting her defense to Depp’s legal strategy. The brief states, “While Depp was able to redirect witnesses and call new, previously undisclosed witnesses in rebuttal, Heard was reliant on video deposition testimony… This is precisely the kind of disadvantage the doctrine of forum non conveniens was designed to prevent.”
2) The trial court erred in denying the supplemental plea in bar and in ruling that the November 2, 2020 judgment of the United Kingdom High Court of Justice… does not foreclose Depp’s claims.
Since the UK court found Heard’s statements alleging abuse to be substantially true, Heard’s attorneys argued that Depp’s claims of defamation should not have been relitigated, therefore Depp’s lawsuit against Heard should have been dismissed.
3) The trial court erred in denying the demurrer and plea in bar and in ruling as a matter of law that the three allegedly defamatory statements in the challenged op-ed are (a) actionable as statements of fact rather than non-actionable expressions of opinion, and (b) actionable as defamation by implication.
Heard’s attorneys argued that Heard’s allegedly defamatory statements against Depp in The Washington Post were non-actionable as defamation since they were statements of opinion rather than statements of fact.
4) The trial court erred in excluding from evidence at trial the November 2, 2020 judgment of the United Kingdom High Court of Justice
By precluding the UK trial’s outcome as a piece of evidence, Heard’s attorneys argued that the jury was left “with the mistaken impression that the outcome of the trial was favorable to Depp when, in fact, the UK court found that Depp had abused Heard on at least twelve different occasions.”
They also asserted that by excluding information about the high-profile nature of Depp’s loss against The Sun, the jury was not properly informed on the reputation harm brought on by the lawsuits Depp himself filed, therefore the jury could not make an informed decision when calculating the damages rewarded to Depp in his claims against Heard.
5) …The trial court erred in excluding from evidence at trial (a) medical records reflecting Heard’s contemporaneous communications with medical providers such as Dr. Laura Anderson, Dr. David Kipper, Debbie Lloyd, Erin Falati, Dr. Amy Banks, Dr. Connell Cowan, and Dr. Bonnie Jacobs, and (b) Heard’s contemporaneous communications with several third parties, including Depp’s employees and Heard’s employees, friends, and family, about interactions with Depp, including reports of drug use, aggressive and abusive conduct, physical and sexual abuse, and her fear for her safety.
Many articles submitted by Heard’s legal team were deemed inadmissible by the court to be used as evidence in the trial, including Heard’s medical records, notes from her therapy sessions, and contemporaneous text messages between Heard and other parties referencing her alleged abuse.
The complaint states:
“From 2011 to 2016, Heard sought treatment from several medical professionals as the result of her volatile and violent relationship with Depp. A number of these professionals documented Heard’s contemporaneous statements about Depp’s abuse in medical records. The trial court, however, excluded this evidence as hearsay… which Depp then used as both a shield and a sword. Not only did Depp convince the court to preclude Heard from presenting relevant, admissible evidence to corroborate her claims, but Depp then weaponized that exclusion, arguing to the jury that such evidence did not exist: ‘Ms. Heard has told you that she has mountains of evidence of abuse, but there are no medical records reflecting she sustained any injuries from this abuse she claims.’... That statement is unequivocally false. The trial court had wrongly excluded those very ‘mountains’ of medical records created from 2011 to 2016.”
Heard’s attorneys continue by discussing multiple points of evidence they assert should have been brought before the jury, including:
contemporaneous notes made by clinical psychologist Bonnie Jacobs which purportedly shows that Heard had been reporting Depp’s abusive behavior as early as 2012. The complaint states that notes include the following:
“in August 2012, Heard reported Depp was in a rage, accused her of cheating, and threw a glass by her head”
“in September 2012, Heard reported Depp was violent and ‘ripped her nightgown[,] threw her on bed. Tried to have sex but couldn’t get erection. Became more angry [sic]’”
“on November 15, 2012, Heard reported ‘sometimes J[ohnny] becomes verbally & sexually abusive after spending time w/father’”
contemporaneous notes made by psychologist Connell Cowan, which purportedly “reflect that in December 2015, Heard reported that Depp was physically abusive and ‘that he started the physicality—pushed her down.’”
notes from 2014-2016 made by nurse Erin Falati “for injuries caused by Depp.” The complaint states, “On December 16, 2015, Heard reported that Depp head-butted her… and, on May 21, 2016, Heard reported that Depp hit her in the face.”
notes from couples therapy sessions made by Laurel Anderson between 2015 and 2016, where it is allegedly stated that “Heard reported that Depp slapped her, hit her in the head, pulled her hair, and kicked her in the leg, causing her bruises.”
notes from couples therapy sessions made by Amy Banks between 2015 and 2016, where it is allegedly stated that Heard “discussed Depp’s violence” in his presence, “which he did not contradict.”
The court also precluded communications between Heard and other parties from being used as evidence of contemporaneous records of Heard’s abuse. This included the conversation between Heard and Depp’s assistant, Stephen Deuters, following the alleged airplane incident from 2014.
6. The trial court erred in admitting irrelevant and unduly prejudicial evidence at trial related to Heard’s pledge to donate money to charity and evidence related to Heard’s alleged abuse of third parties.
Heard’s legal team took issue with Depp’s inclusion of details about Heard’s pledged donations to the ACLU and Children’s Hospital as evidence of Depp’s defamation claim. The complaint asserts that the inclusion of such evidence was an attempt “to attack [Heard’s] character and integrity” and “was not relevant to Depp’s defamation claims.”
7. The trial court erred in excluding evidence at trial of Depp’s reputation as it existed prior to publication of the challenged op-ed and after the op-ed was published.
Heard’s defense claimed that the Fairfax Court errored in not allowing evidence of Depp’s damaged reputation prior to Heard’s op-ed to be admitted for the jury’s consideration, as Depp’s defamation claims rested on the assertion that Heard could singularly be held responsible for damage made to Depp’s reputation and career.
8. The trial court erred in sustaining an objection during the cross-examination of Depp to a question about the truth of one of the allegedly defamatory statements on the ground that it called for a legal conclusion.
In the challenged op-ed, Heard made the claim, “I became a public figure representing domestic abuse.” When Depp was asked whether or not that statement was accurate, the trial court precluded him from answering the question on the ground that it “called for a legal conclusion.”
Heard’s representation stated, “Heard clearly was prejudiced by this error. Depp’s testimony that this statement was accurate—i.e., not false—would have required entry of judgment for Heard on that particular claim.”
9. The trial court erred in allowing Depp to argue or suggest at trial that the jury could award damages based on statements or conduct occurring prior to the publication of the challenged op-ed.
While Depp’s defamation claims were based on statements made in Heard’s op-ed in 2018, during the 2022 trial, Depp frequently referenced the damage made to his reputation as originating in 2016 with Heard’s initial filing for a restraining order.
Heard’s team argued that the court ruled in error by allowing Depp to claim reputational damage from events that came prior to the challenged op-ed.
This argument is continued in the brief’s next point:
10. The trial court erred in allowing Depp to argue or suggest at trial, and the jury to consider, whether the allegedly defamatory statements in the challenged op-ed were republications of statements Heard made in 2016 in connection with a domestic violence temporary restraining order she obtained against Depp.
11. The trial court, which rejected Proposed Jury Instruction CC, improperly instructed the jury on actual malice.
According to Heard’s attorneys, the Fairfax Court gave the jury improper instructions for establishing actual malice by refusing to address the “communicative intent” prong, stating that the jury “must find by clear and convincing evidence that Ms. Heard either intended to communicate the defamatory implication or knew of the defamatory implication and was reckless in regard to it” in order to come to the verdict that Heard did defame Depp in her op-ed.
12. The trial court erred in denying the motions to strike and to set aside the jury’s verdict with regard to Depp’s failure to prove publication by Heard of the statement, “I spoke up against sexual violence—and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change.”
Heard’s defense claimed that Depp’s team provided no evidence that Heard was the one to publish the title of the op-ed, “I spoke up against sexual violence—and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change,” therefore the statement should not have been included as part of Heard’s challenged claims.
13. The trial court erred in denying the motion to set aside the jury’s verdict with regard to Depp’s failure to prove that the allegedly defamatory statements in the challenged op-ed each conveyed a defamatory meaning about him by implication and that any such implication was both designed and intended by Heard.
14. The trial court erred in denying the motions to strike and to set aside the jury’s verdict with regard to Depp’s failure to prove actual malice by clear and convincing evidence.
15. The trial court erred in denying the motion to set aside the jury’s verdict and ruling that the jury’s verdicts in favor of Depp on his claims against Heard and in favor of Heard on her claims against Depp were not inherently and irreconcilably inconsistent.
Heard’s team argued that the jury’s verdict in her favor on one count of her counterclaim contradicted the verdicts in favor of Depp’s multiple claims.
In the Fairfax trial, Heard’s successfully sued Depp for defamation on his claim that Heard had fabricated the evidence of her alleged assault in May of 2016. Heard’s team argued that the jury’s verdict on that count necessarily implied the jury’s belief that Heard was being truthful about the alleged incident, therefore it could not be found that Heard defamed Depp by alleging abuse.
16. The trial court erred in denying the motion to set aside the jury’s verdict and upholding the amount of the jury’s damages award in light of (a) Depp’s failure to prove pecuniary damages, and (b) the excessiveness of the compensatory and punitive damages awards.
December 19, 2022– Amber and Johnny reach settlement
Shortly after Heard’s appeal brief was made public, she announced via Instagram that her and Depp had settled their disputes, thereby setting aside the previous verdict made in the 2022 US Fairfax County trial. In her post, she stated:
“After a great deal of deliberation I have made a very difficult decision to settle the defamation case brought against me by my ex-husband in Virginia.
It’s important for me to say that I never chose this. I defended my truth and in doing so my life as I knew it was destroyed. The vilification I have faced on social media is an amplified version of the ways in which women are re-victimized when they come forward. Now I finally have an opportunity to emancipate myself from something I attempted to leave over six years ago and on terms I can agree to. I have made no admission, this is not an act of concession. There are no restrictions or gags with respect to my voice moving forward.
I make this decision having lost faith in the American legal system, where my unprotected testimony served as entertainment and social media fodder.
When I took before a judge in the U.K., I was vindicated by a robust, impartial and fair system, where I was protected from having to give the worst moments of my testimony in front of the world’s media, and where the court found that I was subjected to domestic and sexual violence. In the U.S., however, I exhausted almost all my resources in advance of and during a trial in which I was subject to a courtroom in which abundant, direct evidence that corroborated my testimony was excluded and in which popularity and power mattered more than reason and due process. In the interim I was exposed to a type of humiliation that I simply cannot re-live. Even if my U.S. appeal is successful, the best outcome would be a re-trial where a new jury would have to consider the evidence again. I simply cannot go through that for a third time.
Time is precious, and I want to spend my time productively and purposefully. For too many years I have been caged in an arduous and expensive legal process, which has shown itself unable to protect me and my right to free speech. I cannot afford to risk an impossible bill – one that is not just financial but also psychological, physical and emotional. Women shouldn’t have to face abuse or bankruptcy for speaking her truth, but unfortunately it is not uncommon.
In settling this case I’m also choosing the freedom to dedicate my time to the work that helped me heal after my divorce; work that exists in realms in which I feel seen, heard and believed and in which I know I can effect change.
I will not be threatened, disheartened, or dissuaded by what happened from speaking the truth. No one can and no one will take that from me. My voice forever remains the most valuable asset I have.
I’d like to thank my outstanding appellate and original trial teams for their relentless hard work. I want to thank everyone who has supported me and I turn my attention to the growing support that I felt and seen publicly in the months since trial, and the efforts have been made to show solidarity with my story. Any survivor knows that the ability to tell their story often feels like the only relief. I cannot find enough words to tell you the hope your belief in me inspires. Not just for me, but for all of you.”
“We are pleased to formally close the door on this painful chapter for Mr. Depp, who made clear throughout this process that his priority was about bringing the truth to light. The jury’s unanimous decision and the resulting judgement in Mr. Depp’s favor against Ms. Heard remain fully in place. The payment of $1M—which Mr. Depp is pledging and will (actually) donate to charities—reinforces Ms. Heard’s acknowledgement of the conclusion of the legal system’s rigorous pursuit for justice.”
Other important claims from witness testimonies
Christi Dembrowski
Relationship to claimant/defendant: sister and manager of Johnny Depp
Potential biases: relative of Johnny Depp, also on Depp’s payroll as his manager
corroborated Depp’s claims of abuse in childhood at the hands of their mother
said Depp seemed “sadder” after he started dating Heard
said Heard had a “strong personality” and that Depp was always trying to make Heard happy
claimed to witness Heard insulting Depp multiple times
said Heard often described things in an overly-dramatic fashion and exaggerated Depp’ struggles with substance abuse
claimed to never have witnessed any injuries on Heard
Isaac Baruch
Relationship to claimant/defendant: friend of Johnny Depp
Potential biases: years-long friendship with Johnny Depp, also lived in multiple homes of Depp’s rent-free and was financially benefitted by Depp’s patronage of his art
said he got along well with Heard and “loved her”
stated that Depp confided in him as early as 2013 that Heard was verbally and physically abusive toward him and liked to start fights
said Depp asserted that he would never hit Heard back
claimed to have witnessed Depp having to leave his home at least 4 times to retreat from Heard’s abuse
remembers Depp coming home from Bahamas detox trip and said Depp was still upset with Heard due to her behavior on the island
said he witnessed Depp and Heard arguing via phone
alleged that he once came into Depp’s home and listened to the two argue on speakerphone; Depp was accusing Heard of having another man in the room with her, which Heard denied in such a manner that Baruch believed she was perpetuating the argument in an unproductive way
said he witnessed Heard changing the locks on three of Depp’s penthouse apartments in May of 2016 after Heard alleges Depp threw a phone at her head
claims he never saw any of Heard’s alleged injuries
claims to have seen security footage in which Heard and her sister were laughing as Heard’s sister fake-punched her
Raquel Pennington
Relationship to claimant/defendant: (former) friend of Amber Heard
Potential biases: (former) friend of Amber Heard, implicated in Depp’s claim of a “hoax” as a co-conspirator
described Depp as someone who would abruptly “switch,” meaning he would go from friendly and unpleasant to suddenly angry, upset, or aggressive, often without explanation
stated that when Depp switched suddenly, he would usually walk away from a social situation and Heard would follow him in an effort to comfort him; sometimes the couple would come back to the group later
said that after Australia incident, Pennington would sometimes tell Heard that they (Pennington, Heard, and Pennington’s then-fiance) should move out of Depp’s penthouses as Heard had become worried that Depp might one day accidentally kill her while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
claimed Heard wanted to stay with Depp to try to help him
said she felt obligated to stay at the penthouses in case Heard needed her as she was concerned for her safety with Depp
admitted that she and Heard had gotten into a physical altercation with one another on at least one occasion
Josh Drew
Relationship to claimant/defendant: (former) friend of Amber Heard and former fiance of Raquel Pennington
Potential biases: (former) friend of Amber Heard, implicated in Depp’s claim of a “hoax” as a co-conspirator
spoke to Depp’s “excessive” drug usage and said that Depp could hide how inebriated he was to those that didn’t know him well
said he was told by Pennington that Depp was abusive toward Heard, especially that he was very jealous and particularly had issues with James Franco due to Franco’s and Heard’s work together
said he overheard one of the couple’s fights and claimed Depp was angry with Heard for appearing nude in a film against his wishes
said that Heard discussed with him and Pennington that she would no longer be doing nudity in films and would cut down on intimate scenes with co-stars to appease Depp
stated, “I observed there to be a significant amount of empathy among Amber and Rocky and a genuine belief that Johnny's drug and alcohol use caused his behaviour and that he would somehow lose control”
claimed that Trinity Esparza was kind of rude and implied that she had a problem with Heard
Kevin Murphy
Relationship to claimant/defendant: estate manager for Johnny Depp
Potential biases: employed by Johnny Depp
claimed he never saw any cuts, bruises, or other injuries on Heard
said Heard never mentioned being a victim of verbal or physical abuse, but that he did see Heard yelling at Depp on several occasions
said he never saw Depp commit an act of violence against anyone
said he believes Heard is a “highly volatile person” who “becomes increasingly volatile when she drinks”
though he does not remember the date, alleges an incident in which he came to Depp’s home and saw an injury on Depp’s forehead which Depp said had been caused by Heard throwing a remote control at his face
Whitney Henriquez
Relationship to claimant/defendant: sister of Amber Heard
Potential biases: close family member of Amber Heard
said she was initially not aware of physical abuse in Heard and Depp’s relationship and loved Depp as a brother, though she did know the two would sometimes have big arguments after which, she says, Heard and Depp could go days without speaking to one-another
claimed Depp did not like Heard working and often tried to convince her to stop taking new jobs, saying he’d support Heard and her family financially
alleged that the couple once got into an argument because Heard would not take a credit card Depp wanted her to have with the expectation that he would pay the bills on the card
said Depp also criticized Heard’s wardrobe and chastised her for wearing things he found too revealing
said Depp was extremely jealous of Heard’s co-stars and former partners and would sometimes become so paranoid that he’d go through Heard’s phone; alleged that on multiple occasions, Depp smashed Heard’s phone or otherwise destroyed it
said Heard once informed her that Depp had thrown her phone out a window
said Depp was sometimes verbally abusive when he was sober, stating that Depp “could insult [Heard] and say he loved her in the same sentence, with equal amounts of passion” and further alleging that Depp would say things to Heard like, “fucking ugly cunt, you fat whore…. but god I fucking love you”
alleged an incident in which Depp was angry at Heard for auditioning for a new acting role without informing him; when Henriquez asks why Heard would have to inform him, she says, he responded with, “I’ve been in the business longer than she has been alive and she should listen to me”
said that she noticed injuries on Heard but that Heard would offer another excuse for them until eventually telling Henriquez sometime mid-2013 that she was being physically abused by Depp
claimed that when she told Heard to leave the relationship, Heard would say things like, “I really love him” and, “We fight really hard, but we love even harder”
said this was a constant refrain from both Heard and Depp
said that when speaking with both of them, Depp and Heard would often have extremely different perspectives on their arguments, stating:
“[H]e would claim to me that Amber had called him ‘a fucking pussy’ or ‘a little girl’ – it was always that she had said something emasculating to him, which he felt justified his rage – but when I spoke to Amber she would say ‘that absolutely did not happen.’ I think his drinking and drug use affected his perception and his memory of events – he would talk about blacking out, but he could also convince himself about how things went down and you couldn’t convince him otherwise.”
said she observed a pattern in which Heard would stop fighting back and try to keep peace between the two which would cause Depp to accuse her of patronizing him, but then if the two separated physically, “[Depp] would start screaming, ‘If she really cared she would be here,’ and then he would start destroying things.”
claimed she confronted Depp about hitting Heard sometimes and said of his response:
“Sometimes he would flat out deny it or downplay it by saying, ‘No, I just pushed her, I didn’t hit her.’ Other times, he would acknowledge that he had hit her but would try to justify it, by claiming she hit him first or, ‘She called me a pussy,’ and would say, ‘Sis, I just lost control.’ He blamed her for it, saying things like, ‘I just love her so much but this is what she does to me,’ and never really took responsibility for it.”
said that sometime around 2015, her relationship with Depp soured and alleged that around that time, Depp began accusing her of leaking stories about him and Heard to the press; she says this was not true but that Heard believed the accusations at the time, causing a rift between the two for a time
said Depp tried to get Henriquez to sign an NDA specifically about his relationship with Heard and stated, “I was worried he was using it as an excuse to cut me out because I knew what he was doing and had been critical of his conduct and was telling her to leave him”
moved out of Depp’s penthouse after this alleged incident but claims she kept in touch with Pennington and Wright who gave her updates about Heard and Depp’s relationship
said Depp was increasingly isolating Heard from loved ones, including herself and Wright who had been “banned” from Depp’s home
claimed to later apologize to Depp just to get back into Heard’s life and described Heard as “emaciated” when she first saw her after moving out
said Heard told her that she’d begun suffering with shingles, anxiety attacks and heart problems
said she wished she had called the police on Depp during certain points of his and Heard’s relationship but that she knew it would cause too much publicity for the two and said that Heard would never forgive her
said she believes Depp would start fights as a pretense to drink alcohol, go on a bender, and not go to work
said that after one fight, Depp left with Keith Richards for a week of partying
claimed that Nathan Holmes would take some of Depp’s drugs as a tactic set up by his team to stop Depp from doing all of his drugs by himself
Brandon Patterson
Relationship to claimant/defendant: estate manager at the building holding multiple penthouses of Johnny Depp’s
Potential biases: years-long working relationship with Johnny Depp
confirmed authenticity of security footage used as exhibits in trial
stated that multiple employees at the building where Depp and Heard lived did not see any injuries on Heard’s face following incidents of alleged assaults by Depp
Sean Bett
Relationship to claimant/defendant: security guard for Johnny Depp
Potential biases: employee of Johnny Depp
claimed to once hear Heard tell her friends, “All men are idiots” around 2012/2013
said Depp and Heard were at first very loving toward one-another, then started to argue increasingly over time
claimed Heard would start arguments with Depp
said he overheard Heard calling Depp a “fat ass” and witnessed Heard throwing a water bottle or cup in Depp’s direction
alleges that Depp told him Heard threw a vodka bottle at him and sliced his finger
said he never observed injuries on Heard, however, did once see Depp with a swollen cheekbone and eyelid around March of 2015 and observed scratch marks on Depp’s nose area, cheek area, and forehead area around December of 2015
Kate James
Relationship to claimant/defendant: former assistant for Amber Heard
Potential biases: employment terminated by Amber
alleged surviving verbal abuse from Heard during her employment
complained of low compensation as Heard’s assistant despite having previous experience
claimed Heard would request James to buy copies of magazines Heard appeared in which Heard would store in her garage
said Heard did not want Depp to see these magazines though never c
said she asked Heard after having her employment terminated if she could remain employed under Depp’s payroll but Heard said this was not possible
an email exchange between Heard and James around the termination of James’ employment shows Heard promising James six weeks of severance pay however James could not recall under cross-examination if Heard fulfilled that promise
also requested to live in one of Depp’s apartments rent-free after losing her job with Heard as she was in “fairly significant financial trouble” at the time
said Heard had a “kick-the-dog kind of relationship” with her sister, Whitney Henriquez
said Heard was a “dramatic person” whom James had to placate a lot
claimed Heard went through “manic episodes” and sometimes appeared to be under the influence of illegal drugs
once saw Heard having a pool party which “seemed a little conspiratorial” and “kind of like a strategy meeting”
said Heard appropriated James’ own personal story of being raped at machete point and “twisted it into her own story”
claimed Heard believed she was “above the law” and cites the incident in which Heard attempted to bring her dogs into Australia unlawfully
said she never saw any injuries on Heard nor any damage to Heard’s and Depp’s properties
Laurel Anderson
Relationship to claimant/defendant: former marriage counselor for Johnny Depp and Amber Heard
Note: Anderson uses the term “mutual abuse,” which many experts have argued indicates a misunderstanding of abusive relationships
started working for the couple around October of 2015
wrote in 2018 that Heard “reported physical violence in about half of their fights”
stated that she saw Depp’s and Heard’s relationship as one of “mutual abuse”
said Heard had “jack-hammer style of talking” in sessions, often cut Depp off while talking
was told by Heard that Depp had physically abused her; Heard also showed Anderson photos and displayed her injuries to her in-person
believes both initiated physical violence
said Heard viewed starting a fight as a “point of pride” if she felt she’d been disrespected; attributed this to surviving abuse by her father as a child
said that when Depp tried to remove himself from an argument to deescalate a fight, Heard would initiate another fight out of fear of abandonment
said Heard claimed Depp was first to bring physical violence into relationship, however, she always hit back, then began hitting first when she felt triggered
said Heard admitted to slapping Depp on December 15th, 2015 because he’d been “fucked up” and talking about another woman
said Depp told her that Heard had sliced off the tip of his finger when she threw a vodka bottle at him
Gina Deuters
Relationship to claimant/defendant: friend of Johnny Depp’s, wife of Depp’s assistant, Stephen Deuters
Potential biases: friend of Johnny Depp’s, worked as a visual effects coordinator on films Depp starred in, husband is employed by Depp
Note: Gina Deuters was dismissed in the Fairfax trial court midway through her testimony after admitting to watching clips of the trial on social media prior to taking the stand
claimed to have seen Depp using cocaine about 20 times over the course of 10 years
say she’s never seen Depp become violent or angry while under the influence of alcohol
claimed to have once witnessed Heard become angry with Depp for drinking champagne
Keenan Wyatt
Relationship to claimant/defendant: sound engineer for Johny Depp
Potential biases: was contracted for work by Johnny Depp’s company
described Heard on flight to Boston as “quiet and pouty;” said Heard gave Depp “the cold shoulder”
claimedHeard said to Wyatt, “How dare you talk to me” after he tried to speak to her
said never saw Depp become abusive toward anyone
said he doesn’t recall Depp passing out or being violent toward Heard on 2014 flight
claimed Depp used an earpiece at times on film sets to listen to music while filming and occasionally have his lines fed to him during his scenes
Shannon Curry
Relationship to claimant/defendant: hired expert witness by Johnny Depp
Potential biases: paid to testify by Depp’s team, told by Depp’s team prior that they believed Heard has borderline personality disorder, much of Dr. Curry’s professional expertise in treating/evaluating PTSD involves symptoms resulting from military combat (these symptoms often present differently compared to those caused by other truamas)
Also note: 1) research has found that the reliability of forensic psychology (along with other forensic sciences) is incredibly varied, 2) Dr. Curry only examined Heard for roughly 12 hours which most experts would argue is not a sufficient amount of time for a personality disorder diagnosis, 3) some experts have challenged the tests used by Dr. Curry in her evaluation, 4) there is no objective way to establish if a patient has a personality disorder and diagnoses can differ depending on professional overseeing diagnosis
testified that she believes Heard suffers from borderline personality disorder as well as histrionic personality disorder, causing her to exaggerate and/or fabricate accounts of events
said she found no evidence that Heard was suffering from PTSD and accused Heard of “grossly exaggerating” PTSD symptoms during evaluation
said Heard “claimed to be suffering from 19 out of 20 of the major symptoms for post-traumatic stress disorder” which is not typical for someone with even a severe case of the disorder
Christian Carino
Relationship to claimant/defendant: former friend and agent of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard
testified that Heard’s abuse allegations had a “traumatic impact” on Depp’s career in the entertainment industry
said Heard’s abuse claims were never openly discussed in the industry but that it was simply “understood” that they were the cause of Depp’s declining reputation
admitted that Depp was often late to arrive on film sets but this had been an ongoing issue his entire career and production had found ways to work around it
Laura Wasser
Relationship to claimant/defendant: divorce attorney for Johnny Depp during split from Amber Heard
Potential biases: employed by Johnny Depp
said Heard’s attorney filed a no-warning restraining order against Depp after filing for divorce; it is standard for attorneys to give at least a 24-hour notice prior to filing a TRO during divorce proceedings
Terence Dougherty
Relationship to claimant/defendant: chief operating officer and general counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, which Heard promised to donate half of her divorce settlement toward
Note: there is contention surrounding Heard’s donation of her divorce settlement. While Heard said she “donated” the settlement, she later re-stated that she had “pledged to donate” the amount. The donation was allegedly planned to be dolled out over the course of multiple years for tax purposes and was not donated at one time. Heard claims she has been prevented from donating the remaining sum due to Depp’s lawsuits affecting her financial standing.
said he was aware of Heard’s alleged intention to donate $3.5 million (half of her $7 million divorce settlement) to the ACLU
stated the organization has only yet received $1.3 million– $350,000 directly from Heard; $100,000 from Depp; and $850,000 from donor-advised funds ($500,000 came through a fund believed to be associated with Elon Musk)
said ACLU reached out to Heard in 2018 in regards to remaining donation and was told she was having “financial difficulties”
Edward White
Relationship to claimant/defendant: business manager of Johnny Depp
Potential biases: employed by Johnny Depp
spoke about divorce proceedings and stated that Heard’s requested settlement increased over time, initially asking for $4 million, then $5 million, then $7 million, then eventually $13.5 million after taxes (so $14.25 million in total from Depp); final settlement given to Heard was $7 million
said Depp’s bill at a winery reached $160,000 in 2020, but has shrunk to “virtually zero” today; he implied this reduction in wine consumption can be attributed to Depp’s separation from Heard
Jack Whigham
Relationship to claimant/defendant: talent manager of Johnny Depp
Potential biases: employed by Johnny Depp
testified that Heard’s accusations in her 2018 op-ed had a “catastrophic” effect on Depp’s career
Richard Marks
Relationship to claimant/defendant: expert witness (entertainment attorney) hired by Johnny Depp’s legal team
Potential biases: paid by Johnny Depp to testify
claimed Heard created a “cancel situation” for Depp following op-ed, preventing Depp from receiving new roles in Hollywood
countered claims from Heard’s side that Depp had harmed Heard’s career in a similar fashion by saying that she was not on track to become as successful of an actor as Depp or some of her counterparts
Douglas Bania
Relationship to claimant/defendant: expert witness (intellectual property expert) hired by Johnny Depp’s legal team
Potential biases: paid by Johnny Depp to testify
Also note: Bania stated during cross-examination that he did not establish if Depp’s declining reputation in 2018 could be specifically attributed to Heard’s op-ed rather than coverage on Depp’s dispute with The Sun as it was not a part of his analysis
displayed trends in Google searches for Depp from before, during, and after Heard’s abuse allegations and op-ed
explained his analysis of Depp’s “Q score” (which measures a public figure’s perceived likability) and claimed his reputation was significantly damaged by Heard’s allegations of abuse
Michael Spindler
Relationship to claimant/defendant: expert witness (forensic accountant) hired by Johnny Depp’s legal team
Potential biases: paid by Johnny Depp to testify
estimated that Depp lost roughly $40 million after Heard’s op-ed
Dawn Hughes
Relationship to claimant/defendant: expert witness (forensic psychologist) hired by Amber Heard’s legal team
Potential biases: paid by Amber Heard to testify
Also note:1) research has found that the reliability of forensic psychology (along with other forensic sciences) is incredibly varied, 2) many took issue with Dr. Hughe’s use of gendered language while discussing domestic abuse, 3) many experts found Dr. Hughe’s comments on the mental health of Johnny Depp to be inappropriate as she did not meet with Depp, 4) experts also criticized her account for taking Amber Heard’s recollection of events as fact
explained how much of Heard’s behavior could be explained by patterns of behavior from abuse victims
stated that she believes that Heard does suffer from PTSD; said she found that Heard did have functional impairment due to trauma and contested Dr. Curry’s description of PTSD symptoms
said Heard engaged in “low level” violence as a response to her abuse
Bruce Witkin
Relationship to claimant/defendant: former friend of Johnny Depp
Potential biases: may have resentment toward Johnny Depp related to loss of friendship
testified that Depp had “jealous streak” and became intensely jealous in his relationship with Vanessa Paradis
said Depp would “work himself up” when Heard filmed movies with other men out of jealousy
said Depp had substance abuse problems that, in his opinion, had nothing to do with Heard
claimed that many people in Depp’s life wanted him to recover from his drug addiction but refrained from pushing the issue out of fear of Depp’s reaction to criticism, saying, “the people on the payroll won't really say much… they don't want to lose their job”
Tracey Jacobs
Relationship to claimant/defendant: former agent of Johnny Depp
Potential biases: employment terminated by Johnny Depp
attributed Depp’s declining career offers to his problematic use of drugs and alcohol
said Depp frequently showed up late to set which caused problems
said Depp became seen as a liability to studios due to “unprofessional behavior”
stated Depp’s reputation was harmed by the multiple lawsuits he became involved in
said Depp was a “difficult” client with “fundamental anger issues” which garnered complaints from crew members on "virtually every movie" he worked on
Ellen Barkin
Relationship to claimant/defendant: had brief sexual relationship with Johnny Depp in the 1990s (mentioned in Depp’s background above)
Potential biases: may have resentment toward Johnny Depp related to their break-up
alleged she was also abused by Depp verbally
did not allege any physical abuse directed at her specifically, but recalled incidents in which Depp was violent, including an event in which he allegedly throw a glass bottle in her direction without hitting her
said Depp was extremely jealous and possessive
Michele Mulroney
Relationship to claimant/defendant: former lawyer for Amber Heard
Potential biases: claims to have been fired by Johnny Depp “on behalf of Amber”
hired by Heard to advocate on her behalf during pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements
said Depp was very mean during conversations with her and at one point called her a “bitch” along with other names
claims Depp appeared to be under the influence of substances at the time and was slurring his words
alleges that Depp attempted to fire Mulroney on Heard’s behalf
despite knowing that Depp did not have the power to fire her, Mulroney says she dropped Heard as a client thereafter because she was was too “shook up” by the interaction to continue negotiations between the couple
Tina Newman
Relationship to claimant/defendant: executive at Disney, the company which produces the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise Johnny Depp previously starred in
Potential biases: testimony may be influenced by PR tactics of Disney
testified that Heard’s op-ed did not appear to have an impact on Disney’s decision to not cast Depp in a 6th Pirates of the Caribbean film
said she never saw any documentation at Disney which mentioned Amber Heard or her op-ed
Jessica Kovacevic
Relationship to claimant/defendant: talent manager for Amber Heard
Potential biases: employed by Amber Heard
testified that Heard’s career was damaged due to Depp’s denial of abuse claims and accusations that Heard had staged a hoax
said Heard was almost fired from Aquaman 2 due to negative publicity
said Heard had no issues on set and tested well with audiences prior to Depp’s response to her allegations
believes Depp’s team participated in smear campaign against Heard partially facilitated by bots online
Ron Schnell
Relationship to claimant/defendant: expert witness (social media forensic expert) hired by Amber Heard’s legal team
Potential bias: paid to testify by Amber Heard
alleges that Depp’s former attorney, Adam Waldman, spearheaded a smear campaign against Heard by writing various negative things about her on Twitter and leaking information to The Daily Mail while he was still representing Depp
demonstrated spikes of negative activity against Heard no social media following actions taken by Waldman
Alan Blaustein
Relationship to claimant/defendant: former psychiatrist of Johnny Depp
claims that Depp suffered from anxiety and may also have bipolar disorder
was not aware of any violence between Depp and Heard but was told by Depp that Heard was a “pain in the ass” and that their relationship reminded Depp of his relationship with his “psychotic sister” and abusive mother
said Depp struggled with sobriety
claims to have informed Depp that prolonged drug use can cause changes in the brain, especially memory problems which Dr. Blaustein alleges Depp has exhibited
specifically said he gave Depp an “exercise” in which he’d give him 3 words to remember, then distract him with other conversations; after five minutes, he’d ask Depp to repeat the three words which he could not do
said Depp expressed feelings of paranoia, fear, and envy and that “rage and chaos” were also present in Depp’s relationship with his former partner Vanessa Paradis as well
Richard Moore
Relationship to claimant/defendant: expert witness (orthopedic surgeon) hired by Amber Heard’s legal team
Potential bias: paid to testify by Amber Heard
Also note: Dr. Moore is only basis his analysis off of photos and reports from the night of Depp’s injury; he did not treat Depp directly
testified in relation to Depp’s account of the injury to his finger (that the tip was cut off when Heard threw a vodka bottle at him) with the described injury pattern and what’s seen in the clinical photographs
says wound does not appear to be a sharp glass laceration
David Spiegel
Relationship to claimant/defendant: expert witness (forensic psychologist) hired by Amber Heard’s legal team
Potential bias: paid to testify by Amber Heard
Also note: 1) research has found that the reliability of forensic psychology (along with other forensic sciences) is incredibly varied; 2) Dr. Spiegel was tasked to make an assessment on the mental health of Johny Depp however since Depp did not claim any specific disorders within the case (as Heard had claimed to suffer with PTSD), Depp did not sit for an evaluation, meaning Dr. Spiegel’s assessment is based upon other accounts and evidence of Depp’s behavior; 3) many experts debated whether or not Dr. Spiegel’s testimony violated the Goldwater Rule by assessing a client he had never met with; 4) Dr. Spiegel was also chastised for allegedly calling Depp an “idiot” during his deposition
believes that Depp’s combination of alcohol and narcotics lead him to become irritated, agitated, suspicious, jealous, and psychotic, which resulted in him committing intimate partner violence
said Depp’s patterns of behavior were indicative of someone who suffers from substance abuse disorder
claimed Depp shows narcissistic qualities
Kathryn Arnold
Relationship to claimant/defendant: expert witness (entertainment analyst) hired by Amber Heard’s legal team
Potential bias: paid to testify by Amber Heard
claimed that Heard’s op-ed was not responsible for Depp’s declining reputation
said the article was not in the public consciousness until after Depp filed his lawsuit against Heard
echoed Newman’s claim that Disney holds no documentation that mentions the op-ed; Arnold doubts they were even aware of it
alleges that the decision to not cast Depp in an upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean film was already being discussed prior to the op-ed’s publishing
Walter Hamada
Relationship to claimant/defendant: president of DC films (overseeing the franchise Amber Heard had been cast in)
Potential biases: testimony may be influenced by PR tactics of DC franchises
alleges that Hear’s role in Aquaman 2 was due to a perceived “lack of chemistry” between Heard and leading actor Jason Momoa
David A. Kulber
Relationship to claimant/defendant: performed surgery on Johnny Depp’s finger after Australia incident
stated that it would have been hard for Depp to assault someone with his cast in the way Heard described during the staircase incident
Richard Shaw
Relationship to claimant/defendant: expert witness (forensic psychologist) hired by Johnny Depp’s legal team
Potential bias: paid to testify by Johnny Depp
called to challenge Dr. Speigl’s testimony
said Dr. Speigl violated the Goldwater rule
Jennifer Howell
Relationship to claimant/defendant: former employer of Whitney Henriquez
Potential bias: expressed a negative attitude toward Amber Heard for not donating a portion of her divorce settlement to Howell’s non-profit organization
Also note: Whitney Henriquez has denied Howell’s claims
contradicted Whitney Henriquez’s testimony in which she defended her sister against Depp
said Henriquez was afraid of Heard
claimed Henriquez told Howell that Heard had been the one to attack Depp during the incident at the top of the staircase and was worried Heard was going to kill Depp
said Henriquez told Howell that Heard had cut off the tip of Depp’s finger (though Henriquez did not have first-hand knowledge of that event)
alleged that Heard was abusive toward Depp during their relationship, which she claims to have been told by Henriquez who loved Depp and wanted the pair to get back together after their split
Morgan Tremaine
Relationship to claimant/defendant: former TMZ employee
Note: Tremaine claims to have been “tipped off” about certain events but does not specific who he or the TMZ team were tipped off by
alleges that TMZ was sent the footage February 2016 Heard took of Depp in the kitchen in August of that that year via their email tip line
said paparazzi were notified that Heard was going to file a restraining order against Depp and planned to take photos of her allegedly bruised face outside the courtroom
Tremaine says, “Their objective was to capture her leaving the courthouse and she was going to sort of stop and turn toward the camera to display the bruise on the right side of her face, the alleged bruise”
Bryan Neumeister
Relationship to claimant/defendant: expert witness (forensic and metadata specialist) hired by Johnny Depp’s legal team
Potential bias: paid to testify by Johnny Depp
claims that the way the photos in evidence were presented invalidates the precise accuracy of their metadata
says there’s “no way to authenticate any photo” presented as exhibits in the case
Julian Ackert
Relationship to claimant/defendant: expert witness (computer forensic investigator) hired by Amber Heard’s legal team
said he examined the photographs presented by Heard which had been analyzed by Depp’s metadata specialist and found that they were the original files from Heard’s iPhone and could be validated as authentic
did not look at all of Heard’s photos and did not assess their validity
Other factors to consider
Johnny Depp's wealth/influence
Depp has significantly more money and has acquired more success in the entertainment industry than Heard, which could help him in some key ways:
In relation to trial– Depp was capable of hiring attorneys and expert witness testimonies at higher fees than those Heard was capable of hiring due to their disparity in income. While this does not necessarily mean Depp’s legal team was of better quality than Heard’s, his wealth may still be a contributing factor to his chances of success given that he had more options to choose from while putting together his legal strategy.
Depp also is a more recognizable public figure which may have affected the jury in their decision-making.
In relation to his witnesses– Specifically regarding the non-expert witnesses who testified on Depp’s behalf, many of those on the witness stand have financially benefitted from Depp and his career in some way. This includes his sister, who is also a part of his management team and is the president of his production company, his bodyguards, his estate managers, and even some of his personal friends (such as Isaac Baruch who has lived in one of Depp’s penthouses rent-free for years).
Some of Depp’s employees may feel their jobs are at stake should they contradict his account of events. Others may simply feel a sense of loyalty or indebtedness toward Depp since he’s helped their situation financially at some point during their life or associate his generosity with his overall character, thereby assuming he is not capable of abuse.
In relation to press– Like with attorneys and witnesses, Depp is capable of hiring a public relations team at a steep price.
Something that is very worth noting is that, following their separation, Heard attempted to hire a private investigator to locate others who’d been abused by Depp. She contacted a man named Paul Barresi, though Barresi is better known as a “Hollywood fixer” who specializes in covering up allegations of sexual abuse against wealthy and/or famous individuals.
Barresi and other fixers are known in the industry for dirty investigation tactics in which they are hired by one person to investigate someone, then take the information they’ve gathered to their client’s opponent and offer to investigate on their behalf instead if they agree to pay them more than the first client has offered. Barresi has spoken of using this tactic in the past and it appears he may have done so in Depp and Heard’s case as well.
After being hired by Heard and her attorneys and given names of those Heard believed could make abuse allegations against Depp, Barresi began publicly supporting Depp–claiming Heard had exploited Depp, publicizing claims accusing Heard’s father of an involvement with dog fighting rings, advocating on Depp’s behalf following assault allegations on the set of City of Lies, and submitting information to Radar that he claims “absolves” Depp of any responsibility following the disappearance of Anthony Fox.
It certainly appears that Paul Barresi is working as an advocate for Depp, likely having been paid by the actor after being approached by Heard. Barresi claims he interviewed 100 people and could not find anyone with a story about Depp being abusive, however, it is possible that these “interviews” took place after being paid off by Depp considering Barresi’s and other fixers’ usual strategies.
It should also be noted that The Hollywood Reporter has alleged that Depp paid a former wife to keep her from sharing an audio recording of him saying the N-word, and multiple people have alleged that Depp and/or his management have asked them to sign NDAs or confidentiality agreements, meaning we have no way of knowing if there are people who have been paid or coerced into silence in regards to their experiences with Depp.
In regards to his relationships– Wealth can be used as a tool for power in abusive relationships, especially as it relates to resources and opportunities.
In audio recordings from their marriage, Heard complained about not owning any property of her own as all the couples’ estates were owned by Depp. She said she had nowhere to go when the couple fought (other than hotel rooms, often paid for by Depp), while Depp could escape to any of the 10+ properties he owned.
If the claims are true that Depp wanted Heard to stop working and become exclusively financially supported by Depp, this may have been a deliberate attempt to keep Heard dependent on Depp and his income. It is also worth noting that Depp offered financial support to many of Heard’s family members and friends, for example allowing many of Heard’s friends to use or live at one of his many properties. This may have been a simple act of generosity or it may have been a tactic to make Heard’s loved ones feel indebted to him rather than loyal to her, thereby controlling the number of people who would encourage her to leave him if he became violent.
This also correlates with Heard’s claim that she filed for a temporary restraining order after being allegedly threatened with eviction by Depp’s attorneys. She claimed that the TRO was a way for her to reside within a property that Depp owned without being worried that he would enter the home without her consent or attempt to evict her or her friends who also lived in Depp’s penthouses. Not only did Depp own every property the couple lived at, he also employed Heard’s medical staff, which was an extension of his own. Heard testified that “Johnny’s doctors” kept her on multiple medications that she could not keep track of. Depp himself also somewhat confirms this in a text he sent to one of the nurses that treated him and Heard, writing:
“I was the CLIENT, ultimately, if you and Debbie are able to, at least, speak of me, who I really am and what!!! I was the one who asked for you to CALM HER DOWN AND KEEP HER UNDER CONTROL!!! Not because she was kicking DRUGS!!! It was to take her pressure away from me!!! Same reason that I hired her shrink... Who, by the way, only made her worse!!!”
Amber Heard's courtroom behavior
Many of those who watched footage of the US trial have commented on Heard’s overall body language and way of speaking. Heard has been accused of coming across as inauthentic or dramatic, leading some to believe she may be fabricating some or all of her claims. This is especially significant during instances in which she appears to be crying, with plenty of viewers claim looks forced and/or fake.
Heard’s seemingly insincere demeanor correlates with Depp’s side’s claim that she suffers from some sort of personality disorder and does not really have PTSD. They claim that she is attempting to come across as a victim despite never actually experiencing abuse at the hands of Depp. Further evidence of this is many viewers’ belief that Heard’s talking points sounded rehearsed.
During the trial, Heard also had a habit of looking at jurors during her testimony as well as moments in which she was not on the stand. Some believe this is also evidence of her insincerity as she appeared to be studying the reactions of jurors and adapting her strategy from that.
Amber Heard's apparent contradictions
During the US trial especially, concerns regarding the legitimacy of Heard’s digital evidence as well as her overall truthfulness became significant points of contention in commentary surrounding the case. On several occasions, it was proposed that Heard edited photos of her alleged injuries in order to make her alleged bruising more apparent and was dishonest about whether or not she had added filters to her photos in court. For instance, Heard claimed that the following two photo were taken separately in different lighting, denying Depp’s team’s assertion that they were both the same photo with and without a filter:
Many viewers of the trial, however, argue that these are the same photo with different settings given the exact placement of Heard’s face, her hair strands, the shadows in the photo, etc.
While some have used this as evidence of Heard’s alleged dishonesty, others have theorized that these photos are the result of settings on Heard’s iPhone. On some models of the iPhone, photos can be taken in an HDR setting that automatically takes two nearly-identical photos with different levels of exposure, thus creating two versions of the same image.
Amber and Whitney's relationship
Multiple witnesses who testified in the two trials have alleged that Heard and Henriquez had a toxic relationship themselves, specifically claiming that Henriquez was afraid of Heard. This was stated by Jennifer Howell, Henriquez’s former employer, and Kate James, Heard’s former assistant who said the two had a “kick-the-dog kind of relationship.”
In 2020, Howell wrote a letter to Henriquez in which she contradicts claims in Henriquez’s testimony. Howell says Henriquez told her prior to the trials that Heard had been the abuser in the relationship and that she did not know why Depp stayed with her.
Henriquez went on to call Howell’s claims completely false. Upon learning that Howell had given Depp’s attorneys a statement, Henriquez texted Howell and asked why she responded to the attorney’s request at all:
Depp’s team also provided a chopped-up clip from footage filmed for an unaired reality show (2006/2007) that Henriquez was featured in, in which it’s implied she got into a physical altercation with Heard. Henriquez has gone on to say that the short clips are taken out of context and that she was never referring to a physical fight with Heard, stating that the other woman in the clip was “trying to make a very, very boring conversation more interesting.”
Amber's substance use
Though the abuse Depp alleges to have faced at the hands of Heard were dominantly predicated on his claims regarding her overall personality and behavior (as Depp’s legal team argued Heard may suffer from borderline personality disorder and/or histrionic personality disorder), compared to Heard’s allegations which dominantly implied Depp had an extreme problem with substance abuse, Heard’s own use of drugs and alcohol did come up at times throughout the two trials.
Depp has alleged that while he was receiving treatment for his own problems with substance abuse, Heard was regularly consuming many of the same substances herself, sometimes in Depp’s presence which may have affected his ability to abstain.
Kevin Murphy also claimed Heard became “increasingly volatile” while under the influence of alcohol, however, this allegation does not seem to be a constant across other accounts of Heard’s alleged abuse of Depp.
Johnny's cult following and the support of social media
Just as Depp’s success in the US trial may have been influenced by his status as a celebrity, the nature of his fame may have also affected the jury’s opinion on his capacity for violence.
Depp’s filmography has been largely made up of starring roles in films with cult followings (particularly with his collaborations with director Tim Burton), giving him a dedicated fan base that was very vocal in their support of the actor throughout his legal battles. Parasocial relationships can bias members of the public into believing the accounts of entertainers they admire, meaning Depp may have had a significant advantage over Heard prior to testifying in court.
The fact that the jury in Depp and Heard’s US trial was not sequestered during the trial has also prompted some skepticism as to their objectivity in the case. Jurors were directed to not look at or engage with anything related to the case for the six weeks the court was in session, however, since the trial became such a wide-reaching point of attention in the media, specifically on the Internet, it’s not unreasonable to assume that the jurors were exposed to content related to the case at some point prior to making their verdict. This could be especially problematic since the discourse on social media during this time was far more favorable to Depp than it was to Heard.
Some have questioned if all the support for Depp was organic or partially inflated by bots and calculated marketing schemes. A recent report from Bot Sentinel called the online response to the Depp vs. Heard trial to be “one of the worst cases of platform manipulation and flagrant abuse from a group of Twitter accounts.” Looking at Twitter specifically, the company found that about 627 accounts on the site were dedicated to tweeting negatively about Heard and her supporters. Many users also purposely spammed anti-Heard hashtags in attempts to get the tags trending, thereby inflating the appearance of anti-Heard sentiments. In looking at more than 14,000 tweets from anti-Heard hashtags, Bot Sentinel found that 24.4% of the accounts tweeting in the tags had been created within the past 7 months. Many of those who tweeted in support of Heard were also met with targeted harassment, likely prompting an increased hesitance among Twitter users to publicize any commentary on the trial that wasn’t blatantly pro-Depp.
Just from Tweeting a link to this page, which has never attempted to be anything other than a resource for information about the trial and not anything designed to sway readers one way or another, I’ve been tagged in tweets from users I’ve never interacted with accusing me of being a bot or a member of Amber Heard’s PR team (sadly, I am both human and not on a single famous person’s payroll).
The widespread support Depp has received online may bias individuals to favor Depp’s side before they’ve learned all the necessary facts to make an informed decision (this is not to that those who support Depp are doing so simply because of social media’s impact, but it may be a contributing factor to how they interpret certain points of data).
Questions about the transparency of exhbits submitted by Johnny
In unsealed documents recently released for public viewing, Julian Ackert, who testified to the legitimacy of a selection of photos that were questioned by one of Depp’s expert witnesses, also spoke about photos submitted by Depp’s team, however this testimony did not make it to the courtroom.
Ackert claimed under oath that Depp’s team submitted photos and audio files with “anomalies that call into question the authenticity of the multimedia documents.” He stated that many of Depp’s photos were discovered to have “created” and “modified” dates within their metadata that did not match up to the dates Depp claimed the photos were originally taken on.
Heard’s team requested the original files for these photos however the motion was denied.
According to Heard’s attorneys, the audio files submitted by Depp’s team were also potentially manipulated with sections clipped out of context to benefit Depp’s testimony. The documents state, “Mr. Depp produced multiple audio recordings that begin and end in the middle of a sentence… Mr. Depp cannot explain why he only produced partial recordings… So where are the full recordings?… This raises significant concerns about manipulation, alteration, and deletion.”
"Mr. Depp does not allege any specfic physical or mental injury"
Despite Depp’s claim that Heard was the perpetrator of abuse in their relationship, in recently unsealed court documents, Depp’s attorneys state that he is not alleging any “specific” abuse from Heard in his lawsuit against her. The document states:
“Mr. Depp is not alleging harm based on a specific physical or mental injury… [He] does not allege a specific cause of action for intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress; does not assert that Ms. Heard’s actions caused him a specific psychiatric injury; and does not claim that Ms. Heard’s actions caused him to experience unusually severe emotional distress.”
This statement was used as reason for why Depp would not be required to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, unlike Heard who alleges to suffer from PTSD due to Depp’s abuse.
Revenge Porn
In recently unsealed court documents, Heard’s attorneys accused Depp of intending to introduce nude photos of Heard as evidence in the case.
Depp’s team contradicted this claim, stating that they had no current plans to introduce the photos as evidence, however asserted that they retained the right to if they became relevant to specific claims from Heard (for example, using metadata to contradict claims made on specific dates), however many, including Heard’s attorneys, have argued that Depp threatening to use the photos was coercive and demeaning to Heard. It has been said that, had the photos been made public, this would have been an example of “revenge porn,” which is a form of abuse.
In addition to the photos, Heard’s attorneys state that Depp intended to submit information regarding Heard and her sister’s previous romantic relationships. He also allegedly wanted to publicize the fact that Heard briefly worked as an exotic dancer and intended to imply that she once worked as an escort. It is unclear how these things correspond to Depp’s claims of abuse or defamation.
Depp also apparently attempted to imply that Heard had committed vehicular manslaughter as a teenager, though there is no evidence of this being true.
Other testimonies blocked by Johnny
Amy Banks: Though Dr. Anderson, a former couples’ therapist for Depp and Heard, was able to testify in the US trial, Depp’s team blocked testimony from Amy Banks, another therapist who met with Heard and Depp for four separate sessions (two with Heard, one with Depp, and one with both).
According to documents filed by Heard’s attorneys, Dr. Banks testified that Heard claimed to have been abused by Depp during a session in which both were present. Depp did not protest this claim.
Dr. Banks’ testimony was found to not be admissible as Depp’s team argued it was hearsay.
Lisa Beane: Lisa Beane, a nurse working for Dr. Kipper, testified that other medical professionals working under Kipper, including nurse Falati and Monroe Tinker, informed her that Depp had been physically abusive toward Heard.
This testimony was dismissed as hearsay.
Jacob Bloom: Jacob Bloom acted as Depp’s attorney for nearly two decades before being sued by Depp in 2017.
According to court documents, Bloom testified to Depp facing severe financial difficulties in 2016. Heard’s attorneys argue that some time periods in which Depp was dealing with the stress of his finances coincided with violent outbursts against Heard.
Heard’s attorneys also allege that testimony from Bloom contradicts several statements Depp had made in the UK trial, including claims that Heard had become violent with Depp after having a discussion with Bloom about a postnuptial agreement, despite Bloom claiming this discussion never took place.
Depp’s team argued that Bloom suffers with dementia and was coerced into giving his testimony by manipulative questioning made by Heard’s attorneys, which they denied. Heard’s team states that there is no evidence of Bloom suffering with dementia.
Ellen Barkin: While Ellen Barkin did testify against Depp in the US trial and alleged suffering verbal abuse from him during their relationship, Depp blocked other accusations of Barkin’s from being heard by the jury, including her claim that Depp gave her quaaludes prior to having sex.
She stated in her deposition, “He came on to me in the living room of my house, pulled me onto his lap and said something like, ‘Oh, come on Ellen,’ or whatever. I protested a little and then – not too much. And that was that… He gave me a Quaalude and asked me if I wanted to fuck.”
Other: Depp blocked evidence from two expert witnesses indicating that the testifying LAPD officers in the US trial failed to comply with LAPD Policy and Procedure while investigating the alleged crime on May 21, 2016. The two officers’ accounts were inconsistent with available information and they did not produce any contemporaneous notes on the night in question, prompting Heard’s team to argue the officers’ witness testimonies were misleading.
Depp also blocked information regarding the purported misconduct of Adam Waldman, Depp’s former attorney who was thrown off the case by a former judge in the US trial. Heard’s attorneys intended to provide evidence of Waldman threatening and intimidating individuals into giving misleading, negative testimonies against Heard, launching a smear campaign against Heard on social media, and giving false information about Heard to a German outlet.
Along with this, Depp blocked evidence indicating that bots were used against Heard on social media as a part of a campaign to discredit her allegations. He blocked testimonies from two expert witnesses who had used forensic data to evaluate the overall output regarding the trial on social media. The witnesses concluded that Heard’s reputation had been significantly damaged by Depp’s response to her abuse allegations, which Heard argued was defamatory against her.
Depp also blocked or attempted to block multiple collections of evidence indicating Heard’s allegations were not a deciding factor in Depp’s declining career and reputation, including his history of violence, his additional legal disputes, and further statements from his former agent claiming that Depp was facing significant problems in the entertainment industry due to his unprofessional on-set behavior.
Depp successfully blocked multiple text exchanges in which he spoke with disparaging language against Heard, such as those to Marilyn Manson. He attempted to block other exchanges, such as those to Paul Bettany, but only succeeded on a few instances.
Testimony sealed by Johnny
In addition to the testimonies Depp attempted to or successfully blocked, he and his attorneys also sealed a portion of his own testimony, during which Depp stated that he does not suffer any major problems with memory or cognitive ability due to his drug use. He then forgot what he was saying mid-sentence.
Amber turned down a $16 million settlement
Another piece of information sealed by Depp’s team in the US trial was the claim that Heard refused to accept the $16 million settlement she was entitled to in the couples’ divorce, despite Depp’s claim that Heard’s abuse allegations were motivated by her prospective financial gain from the situation.
