Wife of Derek Chauvin, officer charged with murder in George Floyd's death, files for divorce
The wife of Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer who is charged with murder in the death of George Floyd, is now filing for divorce, according to her attorneys.
"This evening, I spoke with Kellie Chauvin and her family. She is devastated by Mr. Floyd’s death and her utmost sympathy lies with his family, with his loved ones and with everyone who is grieving this tragedy. She has filed for dissolution of her marriage to Derek Chauvin," the Sekula Law Office said in a statement Friday night. "While Ms. Chauvin has no children from her current marriage, she respectfully requests that her children, her elder parents, and her extended family be given safety and privacy during this difficult time."
Chauvin was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of Floyd on Friday. More arrests and charges are anticipated, according to Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman.
Kellie May Chauvin requested to change her last name in this filing, which was obtained by ABC News on June 2. She didn't say in the filing which surname she'd take once the divorce was finalized.
The filing cites an "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage" that was beyond saving.
The couple was married on June 12, 2010, in Washington County, Minnesota. The couple separated on May 28, according to the filing, three days after the arrest in which Floyd died.
Kellie works as a realtor, but is currently unemployed, the filing says. She is not asking for spousal support. Their major assets will be divided up by the court.
She also did not ask for a restraining order.
Video of Chauvin pinning Floyd to the ground with his knee pressed into Floyd's neck set off widespread protests across the U.S. this week since his death on Monday. Many of those protests have turned chaotic and violent in cities like Minneapolis, New York City, Atlanta and several others.
Prosecutors in Hennepin County, Minnesota, say evidence shows Chauvin had his knee on Floyd's neck for a total of 8 minutes and 46 seconds, including two minutes and 53 seconds of which Floyd was nonresponsive.
Police were called after Floyd had allegedly used a fake $20 bill to make a purchase at a local Cup Foods, according to the complaint.
Prosecutors said Floyd "resisted being handcuffed," according to the complaint, but "became compliant" once they were on him.
ABC News' Whitney Lloyd and Catherine Thorbecke contributed to this report.
