Rihanna has reportedly been named as the victim in the Chris Brown felony battery investigation, a source close to the situation tells UsMagazine.com. The Los Angeles Times and TMZ have also reported that Rihanna was the victim.
Brown and Rihanna were scheduled to perform at the Grammys separately on Sunday night, with each nominated for a handful of awards. Word emerged just before the broadcast that neither would be attending, along with news that Brown had turned himself in to Los Angeles police.
Sources say that Rihanna (real name: Robin Fenty), 20, was the victim in the alleged assault which occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday. Responding to a 911 call about a disturbance, the LAPD took statements from a female with visible injuries, who named Brown as her attacker.
Her publicist has refused to comment on the situation other than to point to Sunday's statement claiming the "Disturbia" diva was doing "well" and thanking fans for their "concern and support." Sources at her Def Jam Records label have suggested that she may scrap an upcoming Asian tour. Sources at her Def Jam Records label have suggested that she may scrap an upcoming Asian tour.
Brown turned himself into police around 6:30 PM on Sunday, the LAPD confirmed to Access Hollywood. He was arrested for criminal threats and released after posting $50,000 bail.
"LAPD are telling some reporters that we received the evidence but we have not received anything yet," says Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the county district attorney. "Normally it would come in today, maybe this afternoon, but no, they haven't presented it and I don't know when they will."
Meanwhile, LAPD spokeswoman April Harding is shooting down a TMZ report from earlier today (which has since been corrected) that claimed Brown used "a deadly weapon" during his alleged attack. "There is absolutely no truth to that story. If it had been a deadly weapon involved, he would have been charged with a deadly weapons charge," says Harding.
Moreover in a 2007 interview with GIANT magazine, Brown spoke candidly about his family’s history with alleged abuse. When he was 11, the R&B star-to-be told his mother that he would go to jail for killing his allegedly abusive stepfather. Brown said he found relief from his alleged troubled home through creative endeavors.
"Wrigley is concerned by the serious allegations made against Chris Brown," the statement reads. "We believe Mr. Brown should be afforded the same due process as any citizen. However, we have made the decision to suspend the current advertising featuring Brown and any related marketing communications until the matter is resolved."
Since his debut in 2005, Brown has built his reputation as a teen phenomenon in the Michael Jackson vein, making sure strong choreography accompanies his sugary pop hits. His hit duet “No Air,” with Jordin Sparks, was nominated for a Grammy last night, but did not win.
