Mel's ex feared for her life

Los Angeles - Mel Gibson's ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva says she feared for her life and thought the Academy Award winner might kill her during a fight earlier this year.

The 40-year-old musician also tells People magazine in a story published on Wednesday that she did not leak audio purportedly of Gibson in a series of racist and misogynistic rants.

Grigorieva offers her account of a January argument during which she claims Gibson hit and choked her. She didn't report the alleged abuse until months later, and a potential case against the actor-director has been turned over to prosecutors.

Authorities also are investigating Grigorieva for alleged extortion.

The former couple have been locked in a bitter custody battle over their infant daughter.