Leo 'needed 12 stitches'
2005-06-22 10:00
Los Angeles - Titanic superstar Leonardo DiCaprio received multiple stitches after being slashed in the neck by a woman with a glass object as he left a Hollywood party, police and publicists revealed on Tuesday.
Police are investigating the attack that DiCaprio's publicist said took place when the woman lashed out at the Oscar-nominated star after being refused entry to the swanky do Thursday night.
The star was rushed to hospital following the assault where he was given stitches to close the gaping wound.
"The incident occurred during the early morning hours of June 17 when Mr DiCaprio was attending a party at the home of a friend in Hollywood Hills," the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement.
"As a result of the assault, Mr DiCaprio suffered a laceration to the left side of his neck, requiring several sutures. The investigation is ongoing and no one is in custody at this time."
Los Angeles' CBS2 news reported that the woman slashed DiCaprio with a beer bottle, inflicting a cut that required 12 stitches to close.
The 30-year-old actor contacted Hollywood detectives late on Monday to report the crime of assault with a deadly weapon, which can carry a hefty jail sentence, police said.
"After speaking initially with police June 17th, Mr DiCaprio contacted detectives on June 20, 2005 ... to make the crime report," Los Angeles police said on Tuesday.
It was not immediately clear whether police have identified the suspect in the brutal attack or what her motive was.
A publicist for the star of the Aviator and What's Eating Gilbert Grape said the attacker had been looking for an old boyfriend at the party, reportedly thrown by Hollywood social fixture Rick Salomon.
"Leo was attacked by a woman who was trespassing and had been repeatedly asked to leave the property," spokesperson Ken Sunshine said.
"The attacker struck him with a glass object before being restrained by witnesses. Leo was later treated and released from a local hospital," he said.
Sources close to the actor confirmed he had received multiple stitches to the neck but said he had returned to work filming a new movie The Departed in Boston on Monday.