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Heather Locklear placed on ‘psychiatric hold’ following battery accusations

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Heather Locklear. (Photo: Getty Images/Gallo Images)
Heather Locklear. (Photo: Getty Images/Gallo Images)

Cape Town - Actress Heather Locklear (57) is back in the headlines – and again it involves battery against her boyfriend, Chris Heisser.

The incident – which occurred over the weekend at her Los Angeles home – resulted in the former star of Melrose Place, Dynasty and TJ Hooker being placed on a psychiatric lockdown.

Heather – who was arrested in February for allegedly assaulting Heisser – has a long history of drug and alcohol abuse which has resulted in a spate of breakdowns and run-ins with the law this year.

Unsurprisingly, members of her inner circle are calling the former 90’s TV pin-up “unstable”, according to People magazine.      

“Heather needs help,” a source says. “Everyone wants her to get better. She’s unstable and she’s had a lot of issues over the years.”

But according to a family friend of the star – who has a daughter, Ava, with rocker Richie Sambora – had been in rehab for the past three months.

“She got out in early October, the day before her daughter’s 21st birthday.”

According to the UK’s Daily Mail, the latest incident was sparked by an argument the blonde siren had with Heisser at her home. She then allegedly hit him before throwing him out. The next day she was placed on the 5150 psychiatric hold (similar to being committed to a mental institution), which lasts up to 14 days and includes a five-day detox and mental evaluation.

Heather Locklear

Pop star Britney Spears was put on the same hold during her infamous meltdown in 2008, which resulted in her being put under conservatorship of her father, Jamie Spears – a condition which remains today.

Heather’s legal team are reportedly considering doing the same. “Heather’s family feels absolutely helpless and feels this could be the only way to save her life. She won’t stay in treatment and consistently checks out early,” a source told US Weekly.

The source notes that the possible conservatorship “would be of Heather as a person only, nothing involving her finances or estate”, as is the case with Britney.

In February, Heather was arrested and charged with multiple counts of battery of a police officer after the cops were called to her California home to investigate a claim she’d physically assaulted Heisser, Daily Mail reports.

In June she attacked police again after they were called to investigate a dispute with family members at her home. They found the star heavily intoxicated and verbally aggressive. She was arrested but shortly after her release after she was hospitalised for a suspected overdose.

A week before that she’d allegedly tried to choke her 85-year-old mother and threatened to shoot herself, AOL reports.

“It’s very hard on the family,” a source told People. “Richie is a rock for Ava. She’s holding up but always worries about her mother.”

“I will, of course always be there for Heather and especially Ava. I’m very proud of my daughter for her composure and strength during this difficult time,” Richie said.

Sources: people.com, dailymail.co.ukaol.com 

(Photo: Getty Images)

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