Mary Lou Retton, the enduring Olympic gymnast who as soon as captured America’s coronary heart together with her historic gold medal win in 1984, is now on the middle of rising concern from her household and followers after reportedly going off the radar following a latest arrest.
The 57-year-old former athlete was arrested on May 17 in Marion County, West Virginia, and charged with a misdemeanor for driving inebriated, managed substances, or medication, in accordance with court docket information.
Police studies revealed that Mary Lou Retton was discovered behind the wheel of her Porsche at an AutoZone car parking zone after witnesses reported she had been “driving all over the roadway.”
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Mary Lou Retton Hasn’t Been Seen Since DUI Arrest
According to the police report, officers famous the robust odor of alcohol, and Retton seemed to be slurring her phrases. A screw-top bottle of wine was discovered within the car, and Retton failed all three phases of a normal subject sobriety take a look at. She was launched later that day after posting a $1,500 bond. As of now, she has not entered a plea.
In the weeks since her arrest, Retton has not been seen or heard from, even by members of the family in her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia. Relatives instructed “Good Morning America” and Daily Mail that they had been unaware Retton was even on the town till her arrest made headlines.
“Her family had no idea she was here at all. They found out about the arrest when everyone else did,” an insider shared. “There wasn’t a falling out, they just haven’t spoken in a while.”
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Retton’s Texas Home Appears Abandoned
Now, fears are rising for Retton’s well-being.
Her main residence, a $550,000 residence in Boerne, Texas, seems abandoned, in accordance with neighbors, who say they haven’t seen her in weeks. Flyers and packages reportedly stay untouched on her doorstep, and family members are not sure of her whereabouts.
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While Concerns Grow Amongst The Family, Retton’s Children Remain Silent
Retton, who rose to fame at simply 16 years previous by turning into the primary American girl to win the all-around gold medal in gymnastics on the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, has lived between Texas and West Virginia for many of her life.
She shares 4 daughters, Shayla, 30, McKenna, 28, Skyla, 24, and Emma, 23, together with her ex-husband Shannon Kelley, a former school soccer quarterback turned actual property developer. The couple divorced in 2018 after almost 30 years of marriage.
Though Retton has usually spoken about her shut bond together with her daughters, she hasn’t appeared in any of their social media posts in over six months. Since information of her arrest broke, her youngsters haven’t publicly commented, although some have posted cryptic, religiously themed messages on their social platforms.
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Adding to the uncertainty is the truth that Retton’s youngest daughter, Emma, is reportedly set to be married later this month in Dallas. It stays unclear whether or not Retton plans to attend.
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Mary Lou’s Recent Health Scare Brought Her Back Into The Spotlight
Mary Lou Retton’s latest disappearance comes after she was thrust again into the general public eye for a really completely different purpose. A life-threatening well being battle that drew nationwide consideration and outpourings of help.
The Olympic gold medalist was hospitalized in 2023 and positioned in intensive care with a uncommon type of pneumonia. Her situation was so extreme that she was unable to breathe on her personal, prompting her daughters to launch a crowdfunding marketing campaign to assist with mounting medical bills.
“My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life,” one in every of her daughters wrote within the fundraiser’s description. “She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now.”
She additionally revealed that Retton was uninsured on the time, additional intensifying the urgency for assist.
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Mary Lou Retton’s Health Battle Inspired Nationwide Support
The emotional plea struck a chord with followers throughout the nation, lots of whom remembered Retton as a logo of power and perseverance.
Donations poured in, together with one nameless $200 contribution paired with a heartfelt message, “Watching you perform and win in the Olympics was a gift… We are holding you close in our hearts and prayers.”
The marketing campaign in the end raised a whole bunch of 1000’s of {dollars} and have become a rallying second that reminded lots of Retton’s impression past gymnastics.
