The short-lived marriage between former NBA star Dwight Howard and his wife Amy Luciani has erupted into a full-blown public war, complete with competing divorce filings, three police visits to their Georgia home in two weeks, and a social media video where Luciani displays what she claims is a bag of cocaine belonging to the eight-time All-Star.
Howard, 40, filed for divorce on March 9, 2026, stating the 14-month marriage is “irretrievably broken” and requesting exclusive use of the couple’s Suwanee mansion. But here’s the twist, Luciani headed to court the exact same day with her attorney to file her own divorce petition. Howard simply beat her to the punch, and his paperwork was processed first.
Before the dueling filings ever reached a judge, law enforcement had already become familiar with the Howard residence. According to a Gwinnett County Police Department spokesperson, officers were dispatched to the property three times over a 14-day period.
The calls included:
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A suicide threat report
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A domestic incident
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A theft complaint
Authorities have not released further details about who made the calls or what specifically triggered each response. The couple reportedly remains living under the same roof despite the legal proceedings.
The police activity came to light only after Luciani posted an emotional video on Instagram over the weekend that sent shockwaves through social media. In the tearful recording, she held up a large bag containing a white powder and accused Howard of cocaine addiction.
“I’ve been trying to tell everybody, he needs some help,” Luciani said in the video. “Nobody wanted to listen because he’s got the money. I live with him, and he needs some help”.
She further alleged that Child Protective Services had removed their daughter from the home after multiple visits. “CPS just took my stepdaughter because of her father,” she claimed, adding that Howard allegedly coached his 12-year-old son to lie to authorities, something she said she recorded for protection.
Luciani described the toll the marriage has taken on her personally, explaining why she stayed despite her fears.
“I stood by my husband, even though I was scared for myself. Whatever he wanted me to say, whatever it was, because this is my husband,” she said. “I’ve been with this man for 14 months. I can’t ruin my whole life for something he’s doing.”
She also revealed that she had sought help repeatedly. “I tried to get so much help. I asked for counseling in our marriage. We went through two different counselors. I keep telling people he needs some help”.
This isn’t the first time the couple has reached this point. Luciani initially filed for divorce in July 2025, just six months after their January 2025 wedding. That filing was later withdrawn after the pair reconciled, but sources close to the family say this time is different and the split is definitive.
Howard has five children from prior relationships, including his eldest son Braylon with television personality Royce Reed. Reed, who has had her own contentious history with Howard including a defamation lawsuit he won against her in 2010, weighed in on Luciani’s allegations.
Howard’s son Braylon, now 18, addressed the family turmoil in a video circulating on social media. His tone was reflective as he discussed the tensions.
“Oh man, dang. But my mama crazy, my side of the family crazy, I’m crazy, my sister crazy, my brother crazy, you feel me? But hey, you know what I’m saying?” he said.
He continued: “I hope you getting the help you need. But I told y’all, man, my mama did too, especially. But it gets to a point where you just gotta learn to deal with certain things as you get older, bro”
Through all of this, Dwight Howard has remained publicly silent. His legal team has not responded to requests for comment, and he has not addressed any of his wife’s allegations directly.
The former NBA champion, selected No. 1 overall in the 2004 draft, built a Hall of Fame-worthy career with eight All-Star selections, three straight Defensive Player of the Year awards, and a 2020 NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. But his personal life has long been complicated territory, from the defamation lawsuit with Reed to a 2023 sexual assault lawsuit filed by Stephen Harper that was later dismissed.
For now, the estranged couple remains under the same roof in Georgia while their competing divorce filings work through the court system. Howard has requested exclusive use of the mansion, which could force Luciani to vacate if granted.
CPS has not publicly commented on the case or confirmed any details about its involvement with the family. The Gwinnett County Police Department has closed its incident reports without disclosing further information.
The marriage lasted 14 months. The fallout will likely last much longer.
