Lawyers portrayed Thomas Kinkade’s girlfriend as a ruthless gold digger who is out to ‘tear down’ the late artist’s reputation and do irreparable damage to his family, in a restraining order granted by a judge today.
Battle: The ‘painter of light’ Thomas Kinkade, one of America’s most popular artist, died at the age of 54 after struggling with alcoholism, a family member said
The order against Amy Pinto-Walsh claimed she broke a confidentiality agreement by talking to reporters the morning Mr Kinkade was found dead and threatened to reveal his business and personal secrets.
The artist’s bodyguard – who drove him around after he was caught drink driving – said the family had reason to fear Pinto-Walsh because she was prone to ‘impulsive and erratic’ behavior and once threatened to ‘tear Mr Kinkade down’.
His bodyguard Dean Baker was quited in court documents and said he was witness to her behavior when he accompanied them on numerous vacations.
Family: The artist’s wife Nanette, pictured right with their four daughters, said her husband provided his family with a ‘wonderful life’
‘On one occasion Pinto-Walsh made a threat to Mr Kinkade along the lines of “I will tear you down. I would expect Pinto-Walsh to disclose confidential information,’ Mr Baker said in his declaration filed on April 8.
A close friend of the family and godmother to the Kinkade children Linda Raasch left a similar declaration saying she was concerned about Pinto-Walsh’s motives, according to the Mercury News.
She said: ‘I told her releasing private and confidential documents would cause great emotional distress. But she was unmoved by my entreaties.’
However the artist’s brother Patrick said Pinto-Walsh was a ‘good and sweet person’ and was surprised at the restraining order.
Mistress Amy Pinto-Walsh hoped to marry the painter
He told the Mercury News: ‘Amy was Thom’s girlfriend. They enjoyed each other immensely. She’s a good person, a sweet person. She cared about Thom.’
The request for the restraining order said: ‘This threat is not just a mean-spirited act of betrayal, but a calculated attempt to garner money and fame at the expense of the grieving Kinkade family, including his wife and four daughters.’
Though the painter had separated from his wife about two years ago, their divorce was not finalized when he died three weeks ago of what is believed to have been natural causes.
Mr Kinkade was said to have been planning on marrying Ms Pinto-Walsh as soon as the divorce was finalized. They had been dating for 18 months.
Source: The Daily Mail
