On January 2, 2024, celebrity chef Darnell Ferguson was accused of breaking into a woman’s home in Louisville, Kentucky, and attempting to strangle her. The woman, reportedly his estranged wife Tatahda Ferguson, called the police, alleging that Ferguson forced his way into her home, punched walls, strangled her until she lost consciousness, and attempted sexual assault. Before leaving, Ferguson took her ID and other belongings. The incident led to Ferguson’s arrest, and he faced charges including second-degree burglary and first-degree strangulation.
Darnell Ferguson, known for hosting the TV show “Superchef: Grudge Match” on Food Network, had married Tatahda Ferguson in 2016. The day after his arrest, Tatahda requested the charges be dropped, but county prosecutor Cristin Southard expressed concerns typical in cases of domestic violence, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations.
Ferguson, who has eight children, reportedly had three with Tatahda. The ages of his children ranged from 2 to 16 years old at the time of the incident. Ferguson pleaded not guilty, was released on $10,000 bail, and faced legal proceedings related to the charges. The case added a layer of complexity with the alleged victim initially seeking to drop the charges, raising concerns common in domestic violence cases.