A TV outlet in Hawaii obtained distressing footage allegedly of Arnold Berdon assaulting Rachael Ostovich.
[CW: The following article includes descriptions of domestic assault]
Arnold Berdon, an MMA fighter who most recently fought in the Titan FC promotion, was arrested by Honolulu Police last month and initially charged with attempted murder in connection to an alleged violent assault that was conducted against his wife, UFC flyweight, Rachael Ostovich. Berdon’s charges were later downgraded to assault. Berdon has plead not guilty to those charges.
Ostovich was reportedly violently attacked in her home in Hawaii on the night of November 27th. She suffered a broken orbital bone and multiple bruises.
Video footage obtained by Hawaii News Now, has brought forth even more disturbing details about the incident. The footage, which was shot on a cell phone by someone in an adjacent apartment to the one Berdon and Ostovich resided in, was released in-part by Hawaii News Now.
The footage was shot in near total darkness, but it does capture voices which reportedly belong to both Berdon and Ostovich.
At one point in the video the voice allegedly belonging to Berdon can be heard saying, “You’re so f***king pretty you can get anybody like.” While this is being said a woman is heard crying in the background before responding, “Arnold stop!”
The male voice is then heard saying, “I’m going to murder you. I’m going to f***king murder you.” In a television segment reporter Lynn Kawano added that sounds of blows can be heard in the video footage.
Kawano also stated that the video footage includes a period where Ostovich went quiet. According to her sources, Kawano said that this represented a time when Ostovich fell unconscious. “When she came to, she escaped,” reported Kawano. “Falling nine and a half feet off the lanai [balcaony]. The video shows her stumble out, nude. She runs for help.”
Police sources have told Hawaii News Now that Berdon’s alleged statements, and the length and severity of the beating suffered by Ostovich, justify the initial attempted murder charge. However, Honolulu’s Prosecuting Attorney, who has not commented on the case, disagrees.
Nanci Kreidman, of the Domestic Violence Action Center, spoke to Hawaii News Now about the downgrading of charges in this case. “There are threats to kill, at what point does the system take his threats and his violence seriously?” she said.
Berdon’s attorney Myles Breiner said the calls for an attempted murder charge are “over reaching’”
Berdon is currently out on bail, after posting a $75,000 bond. He has a trial date set for February, 2019. Breiner stated that Berdon and Ostovich are currently in the process of divorcing. Ostovich has also received a temporary restraining order against Berdon.
In Ostovich’s restraining order she recorded that, “[Berdon] punched me repeatedly on the head, face, ribs” and that this lead to her coughing up blood and vomiting several times.
When news of Ostovich’s injuries first broke, it appeared that her scheduled fight with Paige VanZant would be canceled. However, the TUF alum, declared herself fit for the bout and is currently scheduled to compete at UFC Fight Night 143 on January 19th, 2019.
Support for survivors of domestic violence can be found from the following organizations:
USA – The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Canada – DAWN-RAFH Canada
UK and Ireland – Women’s Aid: 0808-2000-247
Rest of the World – HotPeachPages