Loni Willison’s fall from grace: ex-fitness model-turned-addict rummages dumpster
Former “Baywatch” star Jeremy Jackson’s ex-wife Loni Willison was spotted rummaging for food in a dumpster, showing just how far the former swimsuit model’s life has spiraled since their breakup a decade ago.
Willison, 39, has been living in homeless encampments in California for nearly seven years, often spotted with her ragtag possessions in a shopping cart.
The former cover girl turned drug addict was first spotted living on Los Angeles’ streets in 2016.
In pictures snapped on Tuesday, Willison appeared to be gaunt, missing numerous teeth and with short hair — a far cry from her tanned, glowing and svelte days as a glamour girl — as she pushed a cart through Santa Monica.
Willison, who often graced magazine covers and red carpets, has struggled with her mental health and substance abuse issues in recent years, spiraling out of control after her 2014 divorce from Jackson after two years of marriage.
The former model and fitness fanatic’s turbulent relationship ended due to an alleged drunken fight, where Jackson allegedly attempted to strangle Willison.
Willison was injured in the altercation, with two broken ribs, an injured neck and scratches on her face and body. However, the former actress in the TV series “Expose” decided not to press charges.
The couple split immediately after Jackson’s alleged attack and he went on to star in “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2015.
“It took me over two months to recover properly,” Willison told the Sun in an interview two years ago.
The California native said she was in a “very bad place” after the messy separation and started experiencing homelessness after losing her job as an assistant to a plastic surgeon.
“I couldn’t work out or take on any modeling jobs,” she added.
At the time, Willison insisted she had enough resources to get by, living in the affluent area of Venice and reportedly addicted to crystal meth, the Daily Mail reported.
“I haven’t got a cell phone. I’ve got food and I’ve got a place to sleep,” she said. “I get money here and there and there’s food in the bins and near the stores. There’s lots here.”
Willison spoke to DailyMail TV in 2018, where she was reunited with friend and former model Kristin Rossetti. On a street in Melrose Place in West Hollywood, Willison explained she had been suffering from an increasingly severe mental illness that resulted in her being convinced she was being tortured in her apartment with electricity.
Unable to pay her bills, she was eventually evicted from her home in West Hollywood, according to the Sun.
Drug rehab specialist Larry Marinelli, who owns True Intentions sober living home, reportedly offered to help Willison for free, the Daily Mail reported, but she apparently denied treatment and was back out on the streets in less than 24 hours.
“I haven’t spoken to Jeremy. I don’t want to speak to my friends, I’m doing just fine,” she told the Sun.
“I don’t want anyone to help me.”
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