Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have settled their divorce case, Variety has confirmed.
Heard has thereby withdrawn allegations that her estranged husband physically abused her and has retracted her request for a restraining order, which she filed on April 27 in Los Angeles Superior Court. She dismissed the case with prejudice, TMZ first reported, which means she cannot re-file it.
“We are very pleased that this matter has been settled and Amber has been vindicated in the Court of Public Opinion,” Heard’s legal team, Samantha F. Spector and Joseph P. Koenig, said in a statement obtained by Variety. “The case was incredibly challenging and demanding on everyone involved, but mostly on Amber, who showed great grace and strength under fire. It was an honor to represent her.”
Heard has accused Depp of assaulting her on multiple occasions, citing in her sworn declaration on April 27 a May 21 altercation in their downtown L.A. home, when Depp allegedly threw a cellphone at her, hitting her cheek and eye. Police, however, said they found no evidence of an assault.
Heard was granted a 100-day restraining order after alleging a disturbing history of extreme anger, violent outbursts, and substance abuse by the 53-year-old actor. The filing came less than a week after “The Danish Girl” actress filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, following 15 months of marriage.
A hearing on the divorce case was set to begin on Wednesday.
“Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love,” Depp and Heard said in a joint statement.
“Neither party has lied nor made false accusations for financial gain,” the statement continues. “There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm. Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future. Amber will be donating financial proceeds from the divorce to a charity. There will be no further public statements about this matter.”
Since April, Heard has continued to release new details of alleged abuse by Depp, which she called part of a “cycle of substance abuse and violence.” The fights in question date around April 22, on May 21, in March of 2015, and in December of 2015.
“I live in fear that Johnny will return to (our house) unannounced to terrorize me, physically, and emotionally,” Heard said in papers filed during her court appearance in April.
She detailed Depp’s history of drug and alcohol abuse, saying she feared for her safety and claiming the “Edward Scissorhands” star has a short fuse, an “exceptionally scary” temper, and paranoia.
“I am extremely afraid of Johnny and for my safety,” the actress said in her declaration for a restraining order. “Depending on his interaction with alcohol and drugs. Johnny has a long-held and widely-acknowledged public and private history of drug and alcohol abuse.”
