Seahawk’s attacking lineman Chad Wheeler thought his girlfriend was dead after suffocating her unconscious – and was shocked that she survived, a police report shows.
Wheeler, a backup offensive tackle who played for the Giants from 2017 to 2019, was arrested early on Saturday on suspicion of domestic violence after his girlfriend told police he assaulted her in an apartment in Kent, the Seattle Times reported.
Agents responded to the property and found the woman locked in a bathroom after a “physical fight” with Wheeler. She told police on an emergency call that she was ‘murdered’ and had a dislocated arm. The Seahawks lineman was on medication for bipolar disorder, but recently stopped taking it, the police report shows.
Wheeler, who is listed at 6 feet, 7 inches and 310 pounds, was surprised when his girlfriend regained consciousness after the alleged attack, the report said.
“Wow are you still alive?” Wheeler asked her.
Photos alleged to be an abused woman circulating on Twitter showed her with a bloody nose while in a hospital. Text messages reportedly sent by her indicated how “cold” Wheeler was during the alleged attack.
“He thought I was dead on my bed and continued to eat,” the report said. “When I ran into the bathroom he said, ‘Wow, you’re alive’ while sipping a smoothie. “
The attack took place after Wheeler asked his girlfriend to bow to him, the police report shows.
The Seahawks told ESPN on Tuesday that team officials were aware of the situation and were “still gathering.”
Wheeler was released from the King County Jail on Tuesday after posting a $ 400,000 bond, according to online records.
He must return to court on Wednesday for a suspected hearing. A judge ordered Wheeler not to contact the victim or possess any weapons in a hearing on Monday, the Seattle Times reported.
In 2015, Wheeler was detained by the Los Angeles Police Department while a student athlete at the USC, where he hit walls and windows while intoxicated. He was not arrested, but taken to a hospital for a psychiatric examination.
Wheeler played in five games for the Seahawks last season and is now a limited free agent.