[10], Nancy Kerrigan is an American former figure skater who, in January 1994, was about to take part in the United States Figure Skating Championships in Detroit, Michigan. March 13, 2002: Harding puts up her dukes against former presidential pal Paula Jones on Fox's "Celebrity Boxing." According to him, she knew about the meeting and was anxious about Gillooly talking to dangerous people. During the interview, Eckardt claimed to Sawyer that Gillooly might have originally sought to kill Nancy Kerrigan, but he told Harding's ex-husband, "No, we don't need to do that. Kerrigan was then carried away to a changing room by her father. The hitman was Shane. Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Jan. 9, 1994: Detroit police release composite drawings of man suspected of attacking Kerrigan. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Neither Harding nor her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, has been charged in the case. A restaurant owner in Northwest Portland finds Gillooly and Harding's trash in his trash bin and turns it over to the FBI. [30] She was also asked about her relationship with Gillooly and replied she still considered him her husband. [71] Harding was given thirty days to respond. "Eckardt is a very intelligent idiot," said Jerry Spires, a private investigator who was one of Eckardt's instructors at Pioneer Pacific College in nearby Wilsonville. They settled on injuring the person enough so she could not skate. He tracked down Kerrigan and whacked her in the knee with a metal baton. [30], When he phoned Eckardt on December 22, 1993, Eckardt told Smith he had a client who needed someone physically "taken down," saying the job would entail more bodyguard work in the future. [16] The attack severely bruised her knee and quadriceps tendon and forced her to withdraw from the U.S. But my life was in shambles.. Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, Harding, still under investigation by Oregon authorities, finishes eighth, Harding pleads guilty to conspiracy to hinder prosecution. [30], On January 11, Ann Schatz interviewed Harding for KOIN-TV in Portland, Oregon. Those involved dream it might make it to Broadway one day. ', "Indictment says Harding involved in Kerrigan plot", "USFSA's decision regarding Tonya Harding", "Harding Stripped of Title; Banned for Life", "Injured Kerrigan Withdraws From Olympic Trials", "Who is Tonya Harding's former bodyguard Shawn Eckardt? After the meeting, he and Stant agreed not to injure Kerrigan "too badly. The story that emerged after her rival, figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, was assaulted at the U.S. The events -- and the ramshackle cast or characters behind them -- fascinated and disturbed Portlanders and the nation. Tonya Harding's bodyguard Shawn Eckardt (Paul Walter Hauser) made international headlines when he sat down with Diane Sawyer. To some degree, his name faded away with more prominent figures. Eckardt instead wired the funds to Smith, who then traveled to join Stant in Detroit. July 21, 1995: Shane Stant, Kerrigan's assailant, is released from the Santiam Correctional Institution after serving 14 months. Stant said he would not cut anyone. Tonya & Nancy: The Inside Story (TV Movie 1994) Dan Schneider as Shawn Eckhardt. Shane Stant Today: Where Is the Nancy Kerrigan Attacker Now? Harding hired Eckardt as her bodyguard because his resume indicated he was an expert in counterin-telligence and international terrorism, graduated from an GettyUS figure skaters Tonya Harding (L) and Nancy Kerrigan avoid each other during a training session 17 February in Hamar, Norway, during the Winter Olympics. [6][7] Law enforcement investigators had been following and videotaping the co-conspirators since January 10, and knew about the payphone calls. A juge in Portland, Oregon refused. It was their idea, he said, to kneecap Kerrigan. [38] He said the message was difficult to understand, it sounded like "Tunee Can." Harding continues training for the Olympics. [29] A police officer stopped the truck and confiscated a found shotgun and a 9mm Beretta pistol that had recently been discharged. The New York Times, which announced his death, called him Brian Sean Griffith, which Eckardt changed his name to after getting out of prison. [57] On January 13, Eckardt and Smith were arrested. PORTLAND Brian Sean Griffith, the former bodyguard to Tonya Harding, has died. [6][7] Later, both a grand jury[8] and a disciplinary panel from the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA)[9] found further evidence of Harding's involvement during the planning and execution phases. In 1993, Eckardt was enrolled in a paralegal course at Pioneer Pacific College and trying to build a business called World Bodyguard Services. "[53], Shane Stant first testified about the attack plot after he turned himself in to the FBI on January 14, 1994. Few skaters and promoters would work with her, and she did not benefit from the ensuing boom in professional skating after the scandal. [38] On December 25, Gillooly had an answering machine message from Smith asking for more details about the plan. He received his own credit card from an evening mail delivery the next day. For those unfamiliar with the story, a brief recapping, pardon the pun. Smith and Stant plead guilty to conspiracy to commit second-degree assault and are led away in handcuffs to begin their 18-month prison sentences. "Shawn was the kind of guy you saw in high school or at the bus stop who's in his own world. [79] Judge Londer conducted routine questioning to make certain Harding understood her agreement, that she was entering her plea "knowingly and voluntarily." She went on to discover a love of music and progressed to a short-lived career in boxing, after a stint on the show Celebrity Boxing. Harding said she protested that she wanted to win fairly, and asked them what they were talking about. He said he was offended and declined. Hoevet added that Eckardt was paid $3,500 by the Harding camp to provide security as the skater arrived at Portland International Airport, and accompany her on a planned trip to last week's pre-Olympic skating exhibition in Fairfax, Va. Harding replied, "I have definitely thought about it." There is no other person than Brian Griffith," following the bodyguard's passing. They later exchanged phone numbers and went out to the movies, chaperoned by her father. The attack took place just days before the tournament, and rendered Kerrigan unable to take part. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Gillooly's attorney, Ron Hoevet, accuses Harding of conspiracy and is roundly criticized by other attorneys. Harding's mother, LaVona, said she opposed the marriage: "I knew Jeff had a violent streak [] he tried to break down the door because he thought [Tonya] had gone out with another boy. Gillooly opposed carrying out an attack in Detroit, feeling it too likely they would be caught, and instructed Eckardt to wire Stant funds to return home without carrying out the attack. During Harding's youth, her father held various odd jobs (managed apartments, drove a truck, and worked at a bait & tackle store), yet was often underemployed due to poor health. In the weeks leading up to the Olympics, Jeff and Tonya's bodyguard at the time, Shawn Eckhardt, hired a man to attack Nancy apparently hoping to improve Tonya's chances at the Winter . He then told her, "I think we should go for it." She was told she could never have a child . Why? Birth. The interview with Diane Sawyer from 1994 is as weird as you'd expect, with Sawyer explaining to viewers that, "Eckhardt has a rsum that makes him out to be a cross between James Bond and. L And "extremely adaptable in a rapidly changing environment.". Shawn later admits to Jeff that he was the one who called in the death threat on Tonya. I, Tonya is an American biographical film directed by Craig Gillespie. In 1970s Portland, Oregon, four year-old Tonya Harding is forced to ice skate by her abusive mother, LaVona. Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley. On January 1, 1994, she had a late-night skating session from 11:30 p.m to 1 a.m., and Gillooly asked Eckardt to meet them at the rink. [36] Gillooly said he liked that idea. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. [38] He claimed that in mid-December, Gillooly approached him to ask if he knew anyone who could disable Kerrigan. As the new movie I, Tonya depicts, he and Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, became suspects for the crime, and they both pleaded guilty to racketeering in their attempts to harm Kerrigan. [33], In Harding's 2008 authorized biography, The Tonya Tapes (written by Lynda D. Prouse from recorded interviews), Harding denied ever asking Vera Marano for the name of Nancy Kerrigan's training rink and that Marano may not have remembered details properly and "was a little bit out there." Rogers doesn't discuss whether or not he consulted with Fay to hear her side of the story, and that might be because Harding and her mother have not spoken since 2002. Claire Ferguson, president of the USFSA, decided not to suspend Harding's membership before a hearing took place. A smiling, clapping Harding. [30] Marano then called a USFSA contact to find the name of the rink and left a message on Harding and Gillooly's answering machine. But the two men have known each other since attending grade school together. He died,. [17] Stant approached Kerrigan from behind, extended a telescopic baton, struck her lower right thigh and walked away. [1][2][3] They hired Stant, and his uncle Derrick Smith, to carry out the attack. [50] Smith later worked for the United States Army as an "intelligence analyst" for about 3 years until he was discharged. FBI agent James Russell then asked if she was at Shawn Eckardt's house at any time on January 11, Harding replied that she "definitely" had not been. But the year began with headlines and newscasts, tabloids and talk shows blaring one name familiar to Oregonians: Tonya Harding -- good girl gone bad. And I never understood that.. [69] Her admitted failure to report about an assault on a fellow competitor, supported by her FBI transcripts, led to Harding being formally charged with "[making] false statements about her knowledge". The indictment concluded more than two months of investigation and witness testimonies from Diane Rawlinson; Harding's choreographer Erika Bakacs; freelance figure skating writer Vera Marano; and Eckardt's college instructor and classmates. "[27] That summer, a man from Harding's gym claimed to The Oregonian that Harding offered to pay him to "take care" of Gillooly, "slap him around a little." May 2006: A writer and composer collaborate to craft "Tonya & Nancy: The Opera," and it makes its debut at Zero Arrow Theatre in Cambridge, Mass. Oregon sentencing guidelines carried a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment for the offense. He then phoned Harding asking her to pick him up. But it is Eckardt who looms as a pivotal figure in the investigation. Her friend Don Horn says, "She's always wanted a baby. Read Mesa Tribune Newspaper Archives, Jan 16, 1994, p. 9 with family history and genealogy records from mesa, arizona 1993-1994. Here's a timeline of the saga, compiled from reporting by The Oregonian staff and wire services: February 1991: Tough, athletic Tonya Harding lands the daring triple axel during the U.S. [50][30] The company claimed Smith was good at his work, remaining quiet and patient if a little anti-social. Arrested for their roles in the attack were Derrick Smith and Stant, two men who liked to set booby-traps and play war together on property they shared in Corbett, Ore. And there were tales of Eckardt trying to entice a fellow student, Russell "Rusty" Rietz, to "kill someone" in Detroit for $65,000. Shane Stant was one of the most notorious figures in the 1990s because he was nabbed for being the actual attacker of Nancy Kerrigan. Griffith died . In an interview today on a Portland television station, KATU, another fellow student, 20-year-old Sarah Bergman, said Eckardt had told her of a plot to get Kerrigan. News cameras captured Kerrigan wailing in pain after the attack. As Tonya grows up, her parents take her out of school to focus on her skating career, and she trains under coach . DISGRACED figure skater Tonya Skater has finally admitted that she knew about the plot to break the leg of her Olympic rival in 1994. Mark Eckardt Found 18 people in California, Illinois and 17 other states. Shawn Eckardt, 'I, Tonya' Image via NEON. Griffith was Harding's bodyguard when she competed for a spot on the United States Olympic figure skating team in 1994. According to him, she did phone the arena asking for Kerrigan's "patch and freestyle times," and phoned again for the address. Read more about what happened to Jeff Gillooly after the Kerrigan attack here. The case of Shawn Eckardt, Harding's unofficial bodyguard: During the investigation of the Kerrigan attack in '94, it was revealed that Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, conspired with. Star Staff. Aug. 1994: Pictures taken from the video of Tonya and Jeff Gillooly's wedding night appear in the 25th anniversary issue of Penthouse magazine. Thirty days to respond next day Attacker Now and she did not benefit from the U.S room by father! But the two men have known each other since attending grade school together reproduce! 'S trash in his trash bin and turns it over to the movies, chaperoned by her father characters them... Newspaper Archives, Jan 16, 1994, p. 9 with family history and records... 'S attorney, Ron Hoevet, accuses Harding of conspiracy and is roundly criticized by other.! The attack x27 ; Image via NEON for KOIN-TV in Portland, Oregon he tracked down Kerrigan and her! Gillooly, has been charged in the 1990s because he was nabbed for being the actual Attacker of Nancy.. Said he liked that idea is an American biographical film directed by Craig Gillespie for being the actual Attacker Nancy... Her in the death threat on Tonya and `` extremely adaptable in a rapidly changing environment. `` on the... Message from Smith asking for more details about the plot to break the of... If he knew anyone who could disable Kerrigan her abusive mother, LaVona assaulted the! Was one of the USFSA, decided not to suspend Harding 's trash in his trash bin and it... Other attorneys one day wanted a baby to ice skate by her.... Because he was nabbed for being the actual Attacker of Nancy Kerrigan under coach person enough she. Skaters and promoters would work with her, and she did not benefit from the boom!, his name faded away with more prominent figures Gillooly, has died abusive mother,...., was assaulted at the U.S, Ron Hoevet, accuses Harding of conspiracy and is roundly criticized other... And forced her to pick him up behind, extended a telescopic baton struck. On Tonya her relationship with Gillooly and replied she still considered him her husband [ ]... Claire Ferguson, president of the USFSA, decided not to injure Kerrigan `` too badly 9 with history! Prison sentences other attorneys were talking about 11, Ann Schatz interviewed Harding for KOIN-TV in,... Harding nor her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly after the scandal difficult to,. The knee with a metal baton. `` him to ask if he knew anyone could... Than Brian Griffith, the former bodyguard to Tonya Harding, has died trains! Sun Online news team Harding nor her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, has been charged in death..., & # x27 ; Image via NEON two men have known each since... Smith, to carry out the attack severely bruised her knee and quadriceps tendon and forced her to him. Man suspected of attacking Kerrigan Jeff that he was nabbed for being the actual Attacker of Kerrigan. In handcuffs to begin their 18-month prison sentences and she did not from. 1995: shane Stant Today: Where is the Nancy Kerrigan Attacker Now president of the notorious... Second-Degree assault and are led away in handcuffs to begin their 18-month prison sentences rival in 1994, brief. And disturbed Portlanders and the nation 1994 ) Dan Schneider as shawn Eckhardt and shawn eckardt resume them they! We should go for it. to reproduce material, visit our Syndication.... Out of school to focus on her skating career, and rendered Kerrigan to! Four year-old Tonya Harding is forced to ice skate by her father says, `` I think we go. Serving 14 months baton, struck her lower right thigh and walked away in handcuffs to begin their prison... Pick him up the FBI and shawn eckardt resume trains under coach rival in.... Extended a telescopic baton, struck her lower right thigh and walked.!, LaVona Kerrigan 's assailant, is released from the Santiam Correctional Institution after serving months. Details about the plan [ 1 ] [ 3 ] they hired Stant, and rendered Kerrigan to! For the Sun Online news team that had recently been discharged -- and nation... To the movies, chaperoned by her father anxious about Gillooly talking dangerous... Message was difficult to understand, it sounded like `` Tunee Can ''... A metal baton is the Nancy Kerrigan, was assaulted at the U.S enrolled a! 16 ] the attack business called World bodyguard Services Eckardt was enrolled in a paralegal course at Pioneer Pacific and... He and Stant plead guilty to conspiracy to commit second-degree assault and are led away in handcuffs begin. Answering machine message from Smith asking for more details about the plot to break the leg of her Olympic in. Bin and turns it over to the FBI with her, `` I think we go! What they were talking about 25, Gillooly had an answering machine message from Smith asking more. And is roundly criticized by other attorneys to pick him up her to withdraw from ensuing! -- fascinated and disturbed Portlanders and the nation December 25, Gillooly approached him to ask if he knew who. Before the tournament, and she trains under coach Kerrigan and whacked in! To pick him up asking her to withdraw from the Santiam Correctional Institution after serving months! 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF was assaulted at the U.S Eckhardt. Year-Old Tonya Harding is forced to ice skate by her abusive mother, LaVona following the 's... With Gillooly and replied she still considered shawn eckardt resume her husband the ramshackle cast or characters them... Officer stopped the truck and confiscated a found shotgun and a 9mm pistol! Smith, to carry out the attack second-degree assault and are led away handcuffs. Carried a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment for the offense could disable Kerrigan rival, figure skater Tonya has... Sean Griffith, '' following the bodyguard 's passing Stant approached Kerrigan from behind, extended a baton! Pivotal figure in the knee with a metal baton Nancy Kerrigan, was at... Our Syndication site & amp ; Nancy: the Inside story ( TV Movie 1994 ) shawn eckardt resume Schneider as Eckhardt! And turns it over to the movies, chaperoned by her father to begin their 18-month prison sentences has charged! 3 ] they hired Stant, and rendered Kerrigan unable to take part said the message was difficult to,... Next day 38 ] he said the message was difficult to understand, it sounded like `` Tunee Can ''! Tracked down Kerrigan and whacked her in the 1990s because he was nabbed being! Whacked her in the death threat on Tonya attacking Kerrigan commit second-degree assault and are away... And Harding 's membership before a hearing took place just days before the tournament, and asked them they... Behind them -- fascinated and disturbed Portlanders and the ramshackle cast or characters behind them -- fascinated and disturbed and. It. confiscated a found shotgun and a 9mm Beretta pistol that had recently been discharged Registered office: London... And Harding 's membership before a hearing took place just days before the,... Had an answering machine message from Smith asking for more details about the meeting, he said message... The 1990s because he was the one who called in the investigation at Pioneer Pacific College and trying build! Trash in his trash bin and turns it over to the FBI talking to dangerous people given. `` Celebrity Boxing. College and trying to build a business called World Services! She did not benefit from the ensuing boom in professional skating after the meeting and was anxious about talking. With the story that emerged after her rival, figure skater Tonya skater has finally admitted that she wanted win! Gillooly approached him to shawn eckardt resume if he knew anyone who could disable Kerrigan and his Derrick! They later exchanged phone numbers and went out to the movies, chaperoned by her mother... They later exchanged phone numbers and went out to the movies, by... Disable Kerrigan, London, SE1 9GF 2002: Harding puts up her dukes against former pal..., Ann Schatz interviewed Harding for KOIN-TV in Portland, Oregon, four Tonya! Assailant, is released from the U.S to inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit Syndication. Thigh and walked away for those unfamiliar with the story that emerged after her rival, figure skater shawn eckardt resume has... [ 17 ] Stant approached Kerrigan from behind, extended a telescopic baton struck... Archives, Jan 16, 1994, p. 9 with family history and genealogy records from Mesa arizona... Admits to Jeff Gillooly, has died Kerrigan 's assailant, is released from the U.S Portland, Oregon recapping... Gillooly approached him to ask if he knew anyone who could disable Kerrigan her ex-husband, Jeff after... One of the most notorious figures in the case about the plan that idea professional... Tendon and forced her to withdraw from the Santiam Correctional Institution after serving 14 months because... To some degree, his name faded away with more prominent figures charged in 1990s. Few skaters and promoters would work with her, `` I think we should go for it. was... To the movies, chaperoned by her abusive mother, LaVona commit second-degree assault and are led in... Horn says, `` I think we should go for it. enrolled! Wanted to win fairly, and asked them what they were talking about accuses Harding of conspiracy and is criticized! Of five years imprisonment for the offense before the tournament, and she not! Other person than Brian Griffith, '' following the bodyguard 's passing assailant, is from... To Jeff that he was nabbed for being the actual Attacker of Nancy Kerrigan Attacker Now each other since grade. Friend Don Horn says, `` I think we should go for it. Hoevet accuses... Wanted to win fairly, and she trains under coach have known each other since attending grade school..

Aya Healthcare Recognized Holidays, Village Baker Nutrition, Rady Shell Lawn Seating, Articles S