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Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia have settled their divorce by removing restraining orders

Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia have settled their divorce by removing restraining orders

Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia are officially divorced.

Garcia’s rep confirmed to PEOPLE that the former couple settled their divorce privately and will not be going to court.

Details of the settlement are unclear, but “both parties have decided to vacate the domestic violence restraining orders against each other in order to move on with their lives and effectively raise their son,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

“Nikki’s number one priority has always been her son and privacy in this matter,” the rep continued. “She is grateful for all the love and support she has received during this difficult time.”

PEOPLE has reached out to Chigvintsev’s office for comment.

Garcia, 40, filed for divorce for the first time Dancing with the Stars Pro, 42, in September after Chigvintsev was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, although the Napa County prosecutor later declined to prosecute.

Nikki Bella, Artem Chigvintsev and their son Matteo.

Nikki Bella/Instagram


In Garcia’s divorce petition, filed Sept. 11, the TV host requested sole legal and physical custody of Matteo, with Chigvintsev receiving supervised visitation with the child. She also asked the court to terminate spousal support for both parties. On the other hand, the Russian-born dancer responded to Garcia’s statement and asked for joint custody, as well as for his ex-wife to give him spousal support and pay his lawyer’s fees.

The news of their divorce came almost two weeks after Chigvintsev was arrested on August 29 on charges of causing bodily harm to his wife. He posted $25,000 bail and was then released less than an hour later, according to intake records obtained by PEOPLE.

On September 24, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced that her office had declined to file criminal charges against the dancer. But on Monday, September 30, a judge reportedly granted Garcia a restraining order against Chigvintsev, TMZ reports. And on Thursday, October 3, Chigvintsev requested his own protective order against Garcia, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE. On October 4, a judge issued a protective order.

Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella.

John Kopaloff/FilmMagic


In each of their requests, Garcia and Chigvintsev argued that the other was the aggressor, providing conflicting details of the disagreement that began on the morning of Aug. 29 while Chigvintsev was preparing breakfast for Matteo.

According to reports obtained by PEOPLE, the confrontation eventually led to the couple going upstairs, where Garcia said Chigvintsev pushed her to the ground, grabbed her arms and pinned her down for “20-30 seconds.” She also alleged that he “put his hands on my chest near my sternum and pressed” so hard that she “felt like she was suffocating.”

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Chigvintsev, on the other hand, provided photographs of the abuse he allegedly suffered at the hands of Garcia. The case file included photographs of injuries sustained on the arm, elbow and behind the ear. In his statement, the dancer claimed he was “begging her to stop and calm down” and needed “help for her to stop.”

He claimed there was a “mutual struggle” and they both ended up on the ground.