It was bound to happen at some point. Even adorable older people have pasts. And the past just caught up with one of Joan Vassos’ suitors on The Golden Bachelorette.
No, we’re not talking about fellow suitor Gil Ramirez and his restraining order. This is another one.
Apparently, contestant Guy Gansert’s ex-wife, Heidi O’Gara, filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO) in October 2021 in Reno, Nevada. But before it was even granted, she dismissed it a month later.
Guy Gansert explains what led up to the temporary restraining order
On October 10, Guy posted a lengthy statement addressing the incident to his Instagram page.
“I would like to respond to articles about a personal matter from 2021,” he wrote. “This was an unfortunate situation that occurred during an incredibly stressful time for me and my former spouse and was ultimately resolved when she voluntary [sic] dismissed her request for a protective order. Together we crafted a resolution that was agreeable to both parties.”
“My ex-wife and I recently asked the court to seal her application for the protective order as we had hoped to maintain privacy for our family,” he continued, referencing a joint Sept. 30 request to seal the case. “But, I know that with being in the public eye comes responsibility. My ex-wife and I were married for 34 years and, in that time, had four children who we raised together and deeply love. They are my greatest accomplishment. My divorce was extremely difficult for me and led me to a very low point in my life, and as a result, I acted in a way that does not represent who I am.”
“The past few years have caused me to conduct a deep personal evaluation,” he concluded, “and I will always continue to work to improve myself. I am so appreciative of The Golden Bachelorette and Bachelor Nation, as well as my family, who have been exceptionally supportive during the most difficult times of my life. I am eternally grateful for them.”
Divorce can be very messy
On Oct. 12, 2021, Heidi applied for a TRO, requesting that Guy contact her strictly through email and only about parenting matters. In the motion obtained by People, she claimed that since July of that year, Guy had been sending aggressive messages. She said he would text her “trying to reconcile then flipping to anger,” and later “physically tried to threaten me.”
She alleged that the day she filed the TRO, Guy placed something under her tire. He also allegedly “motioned like he was going to shoot me with his hand shaped like a pistol.”
In her court documents, Heidi alleged he was “unstable” and told his sister he “took 10 pills” of unspecified content.
On Nov. 3, 2021, Heidi filed a motion to dismiss the application for a protective order, and the judge granted her request.
“After years of marriage, Guy and I share four amazing children and a new grandson,” Heidi told People. “While our divorce was very difficult, to protect our family’s privacy and to move forward, we reached a mutual resolution and have chosen not to comment about it publicly.”
ABC hasn’t commented publicly, but a Golden Bachelorette production source says they already knew about the TRO. During the vetting process, the ER doctor told them about the application for a TRO following a disagreement. Production then “confirmed that it was never granted … [and cleared him] to continue through the casting process.” Stay tuned, as Joan’s search for love continues.
The Golden Bachelorette airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on ABC.
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