Johnny & Amber - Inside Their Toxic Marriage

A Court Case Has Brought To Light Shocking – And Conflicting – Stories Of Abuse

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In an ongoing libel case playing out in London’s High Court, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have presented drastically differing accounts of their 15-month marriage. Depp, 57, is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN), the parent company of the UK tabloid The Sun, over a 2018 story that called the actor a “wifebeater”. He is also suing Heard, 34, for defamation after she wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post in December 2018 in which she described being an alleged victim of domestic violence (Depp’s lawsuit has called her allegations against him a “hoax”). Amid all of the confusing and conflicting accusations, a disturbing picture has emerged of their turbulent and toxic relationship. Below, a sampling of the most shocking claims presented by each side in court. The case continues.

AMBER’S SIDE OF THE STORY: The first time

Heard has submitted details of 14 occasions when she claims Depp assaulted her (he denies ever hitting her). The Sun’s lawyer, Sasha Wass, QC, alleged the first time Depp physically abused his wife happened after Heard laughed at his ‘Wino Forever’ tattoo (a reinvention of his ink for one-time love Winona Ryder). In 2013, Wass said, Depp had “fallen off the wagon ... You were, in fact, acting like a wino and an alcoholic and felt very sensitive. You then slapped Ms Heard across the face, and that was the first time it happened.” Depp responded: “It didn’t happen. I didn’t hit her.”