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Brazilian Motocross Champ's Girlfriend Posts Shocking Photo Following His Arrest On Domestic Violence Charges
“I won’t hide the marks of my story because NO woman should feel ashamed of feel blamed for being a victim of domestic violence,” Melissa Gentz wrote on Instagram.
A Brazilian motocross champion’s domestic violence arrest has gone viral after his girlfriend posted a photo on her Instagram of her battered face.
Erick Bretz, 25, is accused of attacking Melissa Gentz, 22, in Tampa, Florida, on Sept. 23, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
A few days later, Gentz took to Instagram to post the photo of her injuries, including a black eye, allegedly caused by Bretz.
“I won’t hide the marks of my story because NO woman should feel ashamed of feel blamed for being a victim of domestic violence,” she wrote on Instagram.
Bretz is accused of throwing Gentz to the floor and kicking her in the face, according to the Tampa Bay Times. He is also accused of strangling her with his legs, punching her in the face, both with his hands and bottle, and ripping out chunks of her hair.
The violence was prompted after Bretz had taken an insomnia medication and alcohol, police say. Gentz told police that Bretz took her cell phone away and eventually she pushed him.
The day after the fight, Gentz posted a photo of her in a dress with the caption, “I am reposting this picture because my ex-boyfriend deleted it without my consent. He told me that women with boyfriends could not have pictures ‘showing their breasts.’”
Bretz has pleaded not guilty to charges of domestic battery by strangulation, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The son of a supermarket mogul in Brazil, he’s a motocross athlete who has been successful on the Brazilian Motocross Championship circuit.
Gentz, meanwhile, has a social media following for her workout tips, and she is currently studying biology at the University of South Florida.
This week, Gentz’s photo and the story of her boyfriend’s alleged attack have made international headlines.
"A man who treats you like that does not respect you and does not see you as a human being. He will not change,” she wrote on Instagram. "Put yourself first of all, before it’s too late."
Bretz was released from jail on a $60,000 bond.
[Photo: Instagram]
