Matthew Ammel, former bodyguard and lover of ex-Senator Kyrsten Sinema, reportedly caused extensive damage to her Arizona residence while she was away, allegedly totaling over $200,000. This incident took place on August 30, during which Ammel is said to have thrown numerous valuable paintings into her swimming pool.
Sinema, who now identifies as an Independent, accused Ammel of going on a destructive spree, threatening to destroy her artwork every ten minutes if she did not comply with his demands for a post on X, as reported by KPNX.
Although the specific motives behind Ammel’s demands were not disclosed, he began tossing around approximately 22 of Sinema’s paintings into the pool when she refused to oblige.
On September 3, deputies from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call at Sinema’s home, where they found the submerged artworks alongside another piece that had been vandalized with black spray paint. The estimated value of the damaged paintings alone stood at around $123,015.
Ammel also allegedly shattered several expensive bottles of alcohol, scattering the debris both inside the house and into the pool, and specifically targeted a large mounted mirror, which he destroyed. When tallying all the damages, including the ruined paintings, the total exceeded $200,000.
Ammel was arrested on September 19 and charged with felony criminal damage according to court records. He was located at a behavioral health facility, following a petition for an involuntary psychiatric evaluation, as reported by AZFamily.
During his initial court appearance, Ammel did not physically attend because he was reported to be combative in the hallway. A sheriff’s deputy informed the court of his behavior.
Despite concerns over his mental state, the Army veteran, who has suffered from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries due to multiple deployments, was released without bond but placed under electronic monitoring.
The public nature of Sinema and Ammel’s relationship was complicated further when Ammel’s ex-wife, Heather, filed a lawsuit under North Carolina’s “homewrecker law,” claiming Sinema had interfered in their marriage by having an affair with her husband during their travels. Heather stated in her lawsuit that before Sinema’s actions, their marriage had been happy and full of love.
Sinema has denied these allegations and is seeking a jury trial. She filed a pretrial conference for October 22, amidst the ongoing legal challenges. The affair reportedly began shortly after Ammel joined Sinema’s protection detail in 2022, with Sinema allegedly gifting him items and paying for his psychedelic therapy during their relationship.
The former senator has acknowledged that she engaged in sexual relations with Ammel across various locations in the U.S., recounting a specific instance in Napa, California, during a deposition. Meanwhile, Heather Ammel is pursuing over $75,000 in damages as part of her lawsuit, which has been permitted to proceed by a judge.
