When former Cleveland Guardians Chuck Finley divorced actress Tawny Kitaen over domestic violence allegations

Former Los Angeles Angels star Chuck Finley once had to get a restraining order placed on his ex-wife, Tawny Kitaen.

The public learned of the couple's friction on 4th April 2002 when Finley filed for divorce. He suffered from domestic violence and abuse that was initiated by his wife. Kitaen, Finley's ex-wife, was an actress, model, and media personality.

The former pitcher received a temporary restraining order against his ex-wife and even got custody of the two daughters he had with her. During the divorce filing, the former pitcher shared his grievance with the press about the incident that had happened. He said:

"I am fearful that (Kitaen)... will harm herself or will harm others, including me or including my children"

Kitaen was issued to attend the spousal battery counseling program and was told to avoid getting in contact with Finley for a plea bargain on August 29, 2002. She gave a heartfelt statement acknowledging the issue she was facing after the plea deal.

Kitaen said:

"I am seeking treatment for this issue so I can be the healthiest and best mother possible to my two daughters who mean the world to me"

The former actress had attacked her husband three days prior to the divorce filing. She allegedly beat Chuck Finley with her stiletto heels while he was driving the car.

Chuck Finley gives out heartfelt words describing his ex-wife, Tawny Kitaen at her funeral.

Chuck Finley

However, the relationship between Chuck Finley and Tawny Kitaen seemed to have turned sour after the incident in 2002 and their subsequent divorce.

It seems the two had made up during the later years of Kitaen's life. Tawny died at the age of 59 on May 7, 2021, due to a common heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy.

Although the couple had gone through a messy divorce, they had two daughters together.

In an interview with the New York Post, Raine Finley recalled her mother with warm words and even revealed that Chuck Finley had come to the funeral that was held on 27 March 2021. He has also given his warm regards to his former wife.

Raine said:

"My mom was so amazing. She was a great sister, friend and artist. She was more than what you saw on TV. Everyone says that when you met her, it felt like you’d known her for a lifetime. That’s just who she was."

She added:

"My dad [baseball pitcher Chuck Finley] said at the service that she knew no stranger. … She was just dynamite. She was born to make people smile."

Tawny Kitaen was working on a memoir with co-author Colin Heaton right before she passed away.