Mary Lou Retton 'Vanishes' After DUI Arrest Leaving Family Deeply Worried

Yahoo

3 days ago

, the iconic Olympic gymnast who once captured America's heart with her historic gold medal win in 1984, is now at the center of growing concern from her family and fans after reportedly going off the radar following a recent arrest.
The 57-year-old former athlete was arrested on May 17 in Marion County, West Virginia, and charged with a misdemeanor for driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs, according to court records.
Police reports revealed that Mary Lou Retton was found behind the wheel of her Porsche at an AutoZone parking lot after witnesses reported she had been 'driving all over the roadway.'
According to the police report, officers noted the strong odor of alcohol, and Retton appeared to be slurring her words. A screw-top bottle of wine was found in the vehicle, and Retton failed all three phases of a standard field sobriety test. She was released later that day after posting a $1,500 bond. As of now, she has not entered a plea.
In the weeks since her arrest, Retton has not been seen or heard from, even by family members in her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia. Relatives told "Good Morning America" and Daily Mail that they were unaware Retton was even in town until her arrest made headlines.
'Her family had no idea she was here at all. They found out about the arrest when everyone else did,' an insider shared. 'There wasn't a falling out, they just haven't spoken in a while.'
Now, fears are growing for Retton's well-being.
Her primary residence, a $550,000 home in Boerne, Texas, appears deserted, according to neighbors, who say they haven't seen her in weeks. Flyers and packages reportedly remain untouched on her doorstep, and loved ones are unsure of her whereabouts.
Retton, who rose to fame at just 16 years old by becoming the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal in gymnastics at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, has lived between Texas and West Virginia for most of her life.
She shares four daughters, Shayla, 30, McKenna, 28, Skyla, 24, and Emma, 23, with her ex-husband Shannon Kelley, a former college football quarterback turned real estate developer. The couple divorced in 2018 after nearly 30 years of marriage.
Though Retton has often spoken about her close bond with her daughters, she hasn't appeared in any of their social media posts in over six months. Since news of her arrest broke, her children have not publicly commented, though some have posted cryptic, religiously themed messages on their social platforms.
Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that Retton's youngest daughter, Emma, is reportedly set to be married later this month in Dallas. It remains unclear whether Retton plans to attend.
Mary Lou Retton's recent disappearance comes after she was thrust back into the public eye for a very different reason. A life-threatening health battle that drew national attention and outpourings of support.
The Olympic gold medalist was hospitalized in 2023 and placed in intensive care with a rare form of pneumonia. Her condition was so severe that she was unable to breathe on her own, prompting her daughters to launch a crowdfunding campaign to help with mounting medical expenses.
'My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life,' one of her daughters wrote in the fundraiser's description. 'She is not able to breathe on her own. She's been in the ICU for over a week now.'
She also revealed that Retton was uninsured at the time, further intensifying the urgency for help.
The emotional plea struck a chord with fans across the country, many of whom remembered Retton as a symbol of strength and perseverance.
Donations poured in, including one anonymous $200 contribution paired with a heartfelt message, 'Watching you perform and win in the Olympics was a gift… We are holding you close in our hearts and prayers.'
The campaign ultimately raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and became a rallying moment that reminded many of Retton's impact beyond gymnastics.