Tarek and Christina El Moussa of HGTV’s Flip or Flip fame could not come across any more perfect on their hit house flipping show.
Behind closed doors, however, their marriage – and possibly their mental health – needs serious renovations. Wait until you read this …
According to TMZ, the couple is currently separated following a terrifying incident involving guns and a feared suicide attempt in May.
Yes, really. And some of the details are even crazier.
Their ordeal started, at least publicly, at the couple’s home when deputies responded to “a call of a possibly suicidal male with a gun.”
That would be Tarek, and they had reason to worry.
Law enforcement sources say that it wasn’t just a routine police visit – a massive group descended upon their Orange County property.
We’re talking 11 deputies and a helicopter.
Witnesses told police that just before officials arrived, Tarek grabbed a gun from his safe, ran out the back door and fled down a hiking trail.
Shortly after that, Christina was seen running out of the house, crying and trembling for unknown reasons, but clearly shaken up badly.
Minutes later, the police helicopter spotted Tarek on the trail (in Orange County, Calif.) and deputies ordered him to drop his weapon.
Tarek immediately complied with the request.
He told deputes he had no intention of hurting himself, and had only left the residence to go “blow off some steam,” according to TMZ.
Why bring a gun with him, though?
Tarek told cops that being armed was a precaution in case a mountain lion or rattlesnake came at him in the Southern California hills.
In any event, deputies searched his house and ended up seizing five guns, including an AR-15. It appears all were lawfully registered.
El Moussa was never charged with a crime.
Still, clearly something is amiss on the home front, as Christina and Tarek confirm they are separated while they reevaluate their marriage.
They declined to discuss the incident other than to say it was an “unfortunate misunderstanding” that sent him storming out of the house.
They say they are committed to co-parenting.
“[We] will continue to work through this process civilly and cooperatively, and plan to continue our professional life together,” they said.
Fans who watch Flip or Flip likely know that Tarek, 35, and Christina, 33, are parents to daughter Taylor, 6, and son Brayden, 1.
On their show, the couple – licensed real estate agents – buys, renovates and resells often distressed Southern California real estate.
From the purchase process to renovations, staging and closing, they’ve made a living in a tough business – and won a huge following.
A big part of that can be attributed to their personal appeal; Tarek and Christina’s personal and professional rapport is hard not to appreciate.
Will this forever tarnish that reputation?
